After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1997, Allison spent 2 years in mixed practice in Gawler, SA, before traveling to the USA to undertake a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine at the Ohio State University. She completed her Masters of Science and was awarded Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in 2002. She then became a faculty member at Auburn University in Alabama and competed a fellowship in Emergency and Critical Care and obtained Diplomate status in 2007. Allison worked as a specialist and taught veterinary students at Auburn University for 12 years, and has over 300 publications/book chapters/scientific presentations/conference lectures. She was awarded 30 research grants and has presented research throughout the world in the areas of equine endocrinology, fungal disease, neurology, infectious disease and pharmacology.

Allison resigned her position as a Professor of Equine Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care at Auburn University in 2014 to return to family and friends in Australia, importing her two cats. Whilst working on her PhD based at the Swedish Agricultural University, she also worked at Gisborne veterinary clinic and was appointed as a board member on the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria. Allison was a keynote speaker at the PanPac conference in Brisbane and continues to mentor graduate students; provide advice to drug companies and write lay equine educational articles.

Allison joined the faculty at the University of Queensland in 2017. She has a clinical interest in large animal emergency and critical care, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, ophthalmology, infectious disease (especially fungal), ultrasonography and endoscopy.