The new owner of Hart Road Animal Hospital as of July 2014, Dr. Lauren M. Smith comes to us with 3 decades of valuable experience. With clinic ownership she can now say she has held every job there is in a small animal veterinary practice over those years.
Lauren grew up on a small farm in Ellensburg, Washington where her first experience in veterinary medicine was volunteering at a mixed animal practice in her hometown in 7th grade. From that point forward she knew this was her calling. Lauren loves all critters and from early childhood her life mission was “to take care of kitties”.
She attended the University of Washington in Seattle, working her first paid veterinary job as a receptionist then veterinary assistant at an emergency animal hospital in Kirkland during those years. She obtained her undergraduate degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1987.
After graduating from veterinary school at Washington State University in 1991, Dr. Smith returned to Seattle and began her professional life at a feline clinic. In 1996, Lauren and her future husband Rick Walker moved to Portland. They opened their first family business Aloha Music, a community musical instrument and repair shop (at the Aloha Mall-185th and TV Highway).
Dr. Smith has practiced in the local community for over 20 years and prides herself at staying up-to date with current veterinary trends while remaining practical and maintaining a sense of humor.
She has a passion for feline medicine and surgery and enjoys educating staff and clients about the benefits of preventive care. Her current family consists of 5 special kitties at home (plus 2 here at the clinic) and a rescue dog named “Melody”.