Johnny Cross was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and then moved to Blacksburg, Virginia at the age of four. He attended Blacksburg Middle and High School where he played football, basketball, and soccer. He received his Bachelor's of Science from Virginia Tech in 2002 majoring in Biology with Minors in both Chemistry and Entomology. He then attended Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.

After graduation, he continued his training as a rotating intern at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. Knowing for a long time he had a love for neurology/neurosurgery, he then completed his residency in neurology/neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He has several publications and has presented at the national level as well. Although interested in all aspects of veterinary neurology/neurosurgery, Dr. Cross is particularly interested in epilepsy, intervertebral disc disease, tumors of the nervous system, and infectious/inflammatory central nervous system diseases.

Although not a Midwest native, Dr. Cross is so happy to have chosen to build his career and live in Indiana. As the first neurologist in Indianapolis, he loves the unique and meaningful relationships he has built with general practitioners in the area. Dr. Cross lives here with his wife, two daughters, two dogs, one cat, and a horse.