Rachael Smith
BVSc(Dist) PGDipVCS MANZCVS DACVS(LA surgery).
Specialist Equine Surgeon
Rachael joined the RVC equine team in February 2022 as a specialist in equine surgery and has contributed to the growth and development of the hospital and surgical services since that time. Prior to this Rachael was in Perth, Western Australia for 20 years, where she was a Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery at The Animal Hospital, Murdoch University, School of Veterinary Medicine.
Rachael graduated from Massey University (BVSc) in 1998, then spent 3 years in a large animal practice in Matamata. During this time she also achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Science. She left NZ and took on locum roles in the UK, before returning to Perth, to commence a residency position at Murdoch University in Equine Surgery in 2002.
WATCH: Rachael’s story and special interests in equine surgery here.
Rachael successfully completed Membership Examinations in Equine Medicine (2002) and Equine Surgery (2003) with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and Board Examinations with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in LA Surgery (2007), before becoming a Registered Specialist in Equine Surgery. Rachael has undertaken post graduate training in veterinary chiropractic and certified with the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 2017.
Her clinical interests include: general equine surgery, equine lameness and poor performance examinations including evaluation and diagnostics of the axial skeleton.
Outside of work Rachael enjoys keeping fit with running, cycling and gym.
Qualifications:
BVSc(Dist) Massey (1998).
Post Grad Diploma VCS (Massey 2001).
MANZCVS (Equine Medicine 2002).
MANZCVS (Equine Surgery 2003).
Diplomate ACVS (Equine surgery 2007).
Registered Specialist Equine Surgery (Australia 2013-2021, Vet Council NZ Dec 2021-2026).
International Veterinary Chiropractic Association certified (2017).
Special interests:
Soft tissue surgery: wound repair and reconstruction, synovial sepsis, foot injuries and pathology, colic surgery.
Orthopaedic surgery: arthroscopy and fracture repair.
Equine lameness evaluations - diagnostics and poor performance evaluations.
Axial skeleton evaluation and diagnostics.
WATCH: Rachael Smith perform an arthroscopic surgery at our equine hospital.
WATCH: Rachael Smith perform lameness evaluations - including evaluations for subtle and complex lameness cases.
