I graduated from Onderstepoort, the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Pretoria in November 2002, so I can hardly believe that I have been in practice for over 20 years already.

As a young vet, I worked at several practices in South Africa and in the United Kingdom before moving to Somerset West in 2005. I also completed the North American Veterinary Licencing Exam in April 2006.  I got married in 2013, my husband is Schalk Smit. It did cause some confusion changing from Dr Smith to Dr Smit J. I have worked at several practices in the Helderberg Basin since 2005 as well as at the Animal Research Facility of the Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences of Stellenbosch University.

I am pleased to now be a member of the amazing team at Animal Matters Veterinary Hospital. I joined the team to work as a veterinarian in January 2023. It is a pleasure to work with pets, who are much more than pets, but more fur-babies in our clients’ homes. These fur-babies are part of our homes and families for up to 18 years (and in some cases even longer). As a Veterinarian, it is a great reward to be playing a small role in ensuring that this special human-animal bond is a long lasting one.

I am also an avid runner. This includes both road running and trail running. I feel that it is very important to have a good work-life balance and I also feel that a healthy body is home to a healthy mind.

Animal Matters Veterinary Hospital has an amazing team (It is so good, it deserves to be mentioned twice). They all strive to serve the community of Somerset West, and the fur-babies to the best of their ability. Here you will find an abundance of care, compassion and always a warm welcome.