Dr. Jessica Coates is a native of Metairie, Louisiana, having attended St. Catherine of Sienna Elementary School and Mount Carmel Academy.
Dr. Coates completed her undergraduate & graduate degrees at Louisiana State University, and in 2005 she graduated from Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine. Immediately after obtaining her D.V.M. degree, she started her career in small animal medicine. She started her career at a veterinary hospital in Gretna, Louisiana. Dr. Coates then found a calling for shelter medicine and has had a passion for helping orphaned animals since. After her time in shelter medicine, Dr. Coates opened a mobile veterinary clinic for a period of time and then immediately opened a veterinary hospital. She served the Greater New Orleans Area and traveled to multiple rescue facilities to care for the animals. In 2018, she welcomed a new baby girl, Piper Francis, into her life and started parenthood.
Dr. Coates took a few years to herself to enjoy all of life's blessings and started at Benbow Veterinary Services in May 2021 as an associate D.V.M. Dr. Coates has a special interest in soft tissue surgery and dermatology. She has a special place in her heart for the "hound" breed and has named them all after the Flintstones - Georgie, Elroy, Judy, Jane, Fred, and Barney. She is determined to finish the clan throughout her lifespan!