Chelly Smith grew up and lives in Northeast CT, where she has been a certified veterinary nurse since 1999. Sprinkled between the 16 years she devoted to the emergency and critical care discipline, Chelly also collectively spent eight years in the internal medicine and surgery departments in both academia and private practice. Over her career, Chelly has developed an interest in mentorship and leadership, as well as openly addressing compassion fatigue and veterinary culture. In 2022, Chelly earned a BA in Psychology and a BS in Criminal Justice and is on track to earn her MS in Psychology by early 2024. Her long-term goals include a doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and working within the veterinary industry, where she can make a positive impact on the lives of other veterinary professionals.
When she is not working or in school, Chelly likes to spend time on her farm with her two cats, Mogue and Shanley, and her pointer, Leo. She also enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking, but not as much as she enjoys gardening in the summer, avoiding the snow in the winter, and traveling anywhere she can. If she is not on her farm, she can probably be found in New Orleans or Luquillo, Puerto Rico, soaking in the culture and heat, or in Oklahoma, visiting her family [citation].