Dr Hale-Mitchell was raised in the Chicago area as well as Kentucky. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 1995. Afterwards, she worked in two practices in the Chicago area. She then worked for twelve years in general practice in Louisiana before returning to teach clinical veterinary skills at the University of Illinois.

Dr Hale-Mitchell started her holistic education by completing her acupuncture training at Chi University in 2012. In 2016 she joined the faculty at Louisiana State University (LSU), starting a clinical skills program and expanding the integrative medicine and rehabilitation service in the teaching hospital. She completed her Master's in TCVM from Chi University in 2020, and also has certifications in Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy, tui-na, and palliative and end of life care from Chi. 

In 2019, Dr Hale-Mitchell became Service Chief at LSU. She is also a Charter Fellow of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and serves on the Board of Directors.