Amelia Smith’s pet project: caring for animals

MILLERTON— When she graduated this past May from The Hotchkiss School in Salisbury, Conn., Amelia Smith, 18, already had a strong record of training and caring for animals.

A resident of Millerton, Smith’s love of animals sparked at a young age, fostered with the support of her family, academic mentors and the animals she’s met along the way. In addition to volunteering with many animal groups, Smith’s experience encompasses travel, competition, fundraising efforts and honors well beyond her age.   

By age 10, Smith developed an interest in raising purebred dogs and started by purchasing her first purebred, a Norwich Terrier named Diesel. She trained him for the show ring, competing in September 2010. She qualified for the American Kennel Club National Championship in Orlando, Fla., between 2011 and 2017 and competed in the Limited Junior Showmanship at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in 2012, 2015 and 2017. By 2017, she was recognized as the number one border terrier junior handler in the United States.

Her volunteer work began the summer of 2014 when she and her therapy dog volunteered to work in Millerton with students with learning disabilities. In her freshman year of high school, she volunteered at her local veterinary clinic, Integrative Animal Care, in Ancramdale and at the Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School. She found other ways to nurture a connection between humans and animals by visiting Noble Horizons in Salisbury, Conn., with her therapy dogs and organizing fundraisers for The Little Guild of Saint Francis animal shelter in Cornwall, Conn.

With an enthusiasm for travel inspired at a young age, Smith learned how animals are treated in different cultures. One experience stemmed from her trip to a high school veterinary program in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the summer of 2015. During her time in Thailand, Smith observed the behaviors of elephants and provided veterinary clinic assistance for 100 dogs. It was also in Thailand that she came across a dog that left a significant impression on her. Although he was infested with fleas, ticks and a chronic case of ehrlichia, Smith realized how special he was; she worked with him in her last few days in Thailand.

“He left a mark,” Smith said, “and when I came back to the United States, I told my parents I wanted to foster him and find him a home.”

The program in Thailand contacted her to suggest that she raise the funds herself to bring the dog to the United States. Aided by a large number of donations from friends, family members and people who admired her mission, transportation for the dog was secured and he arrived in the fall of 2015. He was adopted by Smith and named Conan.

Her experience with Conan was later recounted in an essay for the Pet Lifestyle and You (PLAY) scholarship competition, which she won this  May.

“She’s a dedicated animal lover,” said Christina Cooper, Amelia’s class dean at Hotchkiss.

During her academic career at Hotchkiss, Cooper recounted how Smith often took time from her education to compete in multiple animal events, though she also took her love and compassion for animals further. As an example, Cooper remembered how Smith arranged for people to visit The Little Guild in support of the organization and how she arranged for dogs to stop by her school for stress relief during exam season.

“She’s really a special, wonderful girl who did extremely well during her time at Hotchkiss but took the time always to support animals in need,” Cooper said, “and I think it all sprang from her youth in growing up training and competing with dogs. Her classmates were always proud to have a classmate who competed at such a high level as well as for the volunteer work she was doing.”

Late last August Smith left to continue her education at Georgetown University, where she will be studying biology with a minor in economics. By her sophomore year, she anticipates beginning the application process for veterinary school, having already shown an interest in several prestigious universities. 

Following her graduation from veterinary school, she wants to be a canine oncologist, though she’s also hoping to return to Thailand. She also hopes that the veterinary world will be more open-minded to alternative practices by the time she graduates.

A firm believer in “shooting for the stars,” Smith remarked, “I always have these big grandiose goals that I try put down on paper. I figure if I set my sights out far enough, the work that I do to get there will eventually put me in a place that is ultimately helpful, even if it’s not in a place that I exactly envisioned.”