Dr. Lauren Hughes graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 2009 and went directly on to get her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from University of Illinois in 2013. Dr. Hughes is a Quad City native along with her husband, Andy. She moved back and started her career in the area immediately after graduation, working in private practice for almost 11 years before transitioning to the Emergency Center. Dr. Hughes is also the head veterinarian at Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, IL, where she has developing preventative care plans and streamlined advances in the Animal Health Department over the past 10 years. Dr. Hughes is very interested in the care of non-traditional pets as well as critical care and triage, especially wound management and surgery. When Dr Hughes isn’t taking care of her patients, she is spending time with her husband, 3 tiny divas, and numerous pets including a dog, cats, and reptiles. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and baking, and educating anyone who’s interested in listening about exotic animals, both captive and wild.