Meet The Team

Dr. M. Scott Smith,
DVM, Owner

Dr. Smith was born in Concord, California, in the East Bay Area. At the age of ten, he moved to Germany, where he graduated from Mannheim American High School in 1976. An aspiring jazz saxophonist, he came to Southern California to attend Pomona College, in Claremont, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Music. After a change in plans (and careers!), Dr. Smith attended UCSB for his pre-veterinary coursework and fell in love with the Central Coast. After graduating from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, he moved to Carpinteria with his wife, Susan, and their young family in 1989 and purchased the Animal Medical Clinic in 1991.

Although well versed in all aspects of small animal medicine, his special interest is in surgery and dentistry. His hobbies include Scuba diving, underwater photography, triathlons, skiing, backpacking and, of course, music. 

Dr. Smith is commited to giving back to the community that supports him and provides low cost medical services to numerous rescue organizations.  He is closely involved with Care4Paws, an organization providing low or no cost sterilzation and other medical services to the public and pet ownership education focused at the elementary school level.  Dr. Smith is a past president of the Santa Barbara/Ventura Veterinary Medical Association and current president of "Band Forever", a booster group supporting music in our local schools.

Rena V.

Rena was raised on a family farm in Northeastern Ohio where she discovered her passion for all animals. She started working at Animal Medical Clinic in July of 2020, and has loved learning all about the veterinary world. On her time off, she enjoys spending time with her own animals, dancing, cooking and going to the beach to let her dogs run around. 

Connie V.

Connie was raised in Santa Barbara, and settled in Carpinteria in 1994. She began her career with animals at Therapeutic Riding Academy in 1995, and has been caring for animals ever since. She joined the team here at the Animal Medical Clinic shortly after and has been with Dr. Smith for almost 20 years. Her passion for animals stretches beyond a 9-5, and is so much more than a job to her. When she’s not working she enjoys her time at home with her husband, daughter, dog, Nanook, and their cats Frankie and Tookie.

Marco O.

Marco was born in Santa Barbara and then moved to Carpinteria to attend school. In his junior year of high school he started an internship program helping connect students with their passions for life which brought him to the Animal Medical Clinic. Marco worked as an intern for six months, and grew a deeper connection with the staff and the animals he was assisting that he has been a part of the team for three years now. When Marco’s not at the clinic he’s enjoying his free time with his cat and mini Aussie.