Dr. Ja R'eika Smith

Dr. Smith grew up in the small town of Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Although she didn't decide on a career in veterinary medicine until high school, her passion for animals began to grow after she received her first pet, Mann, and began volunteering with different programs. Outside of the classroom, she stayed active by participating in softball and enjoyed playing the trumpet in her school band until college.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from North Carolina Central University while working as a veterinary assistant. There she gained valuable hands-on experience caring for animals. She went on to further her education at Tuskegee University, earning both a Master of Science in Animal Science and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her fur-babies—Storm, DaKoda, Diamond, and Jewelz—as well as traveling, hiking, and reading. She values the special bond between pets and their families and is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient she meets.