Bernadette grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, started riding at the age of four, became an active member of 4H and FFA, and competed in Hunter/Jumper shows throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Washington College in Chestertown, MD with dual majors in Business and Biology while becoming actively involved in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Team where she served as President of the team and competed in both Hunter and Western performance disciplines. She went on to win the IHSA National Reining Championships in 2010 in Lexington, KY.

During her high school and undergraduate years, Bernadette worked in a wide variety of jobs in the equine industry, including stints as a riding instructor, a TB exercise rider, a Wyoming dude ranch wrangler, a young horse trainer, a TB yearling sales handler, and a therapeutic riding instructor. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she began working as a veterinary assistant and in 2011, she entered a Master's program in Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. After its' completion, Bernadette continued as a veterinary assistant in CSU's Equine Critical Care Unit and was accepted into the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine program where she completed her degree in 2016.

Dr. Smith completed her first internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY, and then completed a second internship specializing in sports medicine, surgery, and critical care at Cornell Ruffian Equine Hospital on the backside of Belmont Park.

By joining EVC, Dr. Smith has returned home to Maryland with her husband Brandon, two horses, two miniature donkeys, two German short-hair pointers, and two cats. Her areas of interest include performance horses, sports medicine, neonatal medicine, critical care, and surgery.

Bernadette's Linkedin résumé