All Cats and Dogs Veterinary Clinic – Family-Focused Pet Care in La Plata, Maryland

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to caring for animals. I feel incredibly fortunate that my skills have aligned with my passion, allowing me to devote my life to supporting the health and well-being of animals. Every day, I find deep fulfillment in nurturing the human-animal bond and advocating for the beloved companions who bring so much joy to our lives.

After earning my undergraduate degree from Duke University, I achieved my lifelong goal by earning a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University in 1999. While at NC State, I met my husband, Dr. Thomas Smith, and together we’ve built a life centered around our shared love for animals. We are proud parents to six animal-loving children who are often by our side at the clinic, learning the values of compassion and care.

Over the past 25+ years, I’ve had the privilege of forming lasting relationships with clients and their pets in Southern Maryland—relationships rooted in trust, empathy, and respect. My areas of special interest include pediatrics, geriatrics, preventative medicine, and end-of-life care. I am committed to treating every pet as if they were my own and every client as if they were family.

A Raleigh, North Carolina native, I pursued my passion for animal health at North Carolina State University, where I studied Zoology, Biochemistry, and Genetics before earning my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.

Following graduation, I completed a rigorous one-year internship in Emergency Medicine and Surgery through the After Hours Small Animal Emergency Clinic and the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. This intensive experience laid the foundation for the next five years of my career, during which I practiced emergency veterinary medicine in both North Carolina and Maryland.

In 2001, I shifted my focus to shelter medicine and High-Volume, High-Quality Spay/Neuter programs in an effort to combat pet overpopulation. Over the following 18 years, I collaborated with area shelters and spay/neuter clinics, performing more than 150,000 spay and neuter procedures to support community-based animal welfare.

Since my wife and I opened All Cats and Dogs Veterinary Clinic, I have provided surgical and dental services to our clients and now serve the practice full time. My professional interests include surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and internal medicine, and I remain deeply committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality veterinary care.

With over 20 years of experience in customer service and more than three years at All Cats and Dogs, I’ve found the perfect fit combining my love for animals and passion for helping people. Every day, I enjoy connecting with clients and making both pets and their owners feel welcome and cared for. Outside of work, I cherish time spent with my husband, daughter, and our beloved pets.