Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Courtney Smith
I grew up in the small town of Cope, South Carolina. From an early age, I developed a strong bond with all animals and a natural caregiving instinct. At 8 years old, I asked our family vet if I could work for him. He said to come back when I was 10, so on my 10th birthday, I showed up on his doorstep in new scrubs and hand-painted Keds.
The shoes didn’t last, but my love of veterinary medicine did. I earned my undergraduate degree from Clemson University and then graduated from veterinary school at Tuskegee University in 2015. I’ve worked in many areas of veterinary medicine, including small animal general practice and emergency care.
My animals mean the world to me, and as a veterinarian, I support and strengthen these relationships in others. As a young child, I bonded closely with a puppy I named Rolly. She passed away suddenly one day, and just like that, my best friend was gone. I knew then I would never find that sort of friendship with another human and that the human-animal bond was special.
During my time as a practicing veterinarian, I have seen beautiful endings to the lives of many wonderful animals, and they’ve touched me in ways that words cannot express. I’ve also lost many of my own pets, each taking a small piece of my heart and replacing it with little pawprints that make me a better person and friend.
My interest in end-of-life care for pets stems from these experiences, but was solidified after seeing my grandmother in hospice care. She was provided with dignity and comfort in her final days, and I knew that as a veterinarian, I could do the same for my patients. Through my work with Lap of Love, I offer pets a peaceful end to suffering and pain, and help families in their time of need.
At home, I am an unapologetic “crazy plant lady.” I love succulents and cacti, being outdoors, gardening, and hiking with my furbabies. I enjoy listening to audiobooks and trying to balance my love of historical fiction with uplifting and educational stories. I also like to binge-watch TV with a blanket and as many pets as possible on my lap.
About Dr. Will Basinger
The son of two incredible veterinarians, my life growing up in Ballentine, SC was one filled with many animal companions. Some of these four-legged family members we raised from birth, while others we welcomed later in life. As a result, I have been lucky to share distinct bonds with more pets than most. These characteristics of my childhood were integral parts of my development, making my career path an afterthought. Through it all, I’ve learned that like a shooting star, an animal’s light burns brightly but fades all too quickly. While their lifespan may be short, our pets’ abilities to provide unconditional love, laughs, and adventure, make them just as much a part of our family as the rest of the household. This bond overwhelms our hearts with joy, while also creating one of the toughest challenges when it comes time to say ‘good-bye,’ emphasizing why the end-stage of life deserves special attention and care.
After graduating from the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department at Clemson University, I moved to Athens, GA for four years of training at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. While there, I met and fell in love with a classmate who moved to San Diego with me, where we both survived rotating internships in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. Upon completion, we practiced emergency medicine in California before moving back to my hometown. Tara took a job at a local veterinary emergency hospital while I worked part-time at two general practices. We share our home with three wonderful mixed breed dogs; Kona, Brynn, and Lily, as well as an elderly Cockatiel who rules the roost. In our free time, we enjoy water sports, rock climbing, hiking, and traveling to see family as much as our schedules allow.
While I have found the diverse challenges of general practice and wellness care rewarding, I have come to recognize an expanded need for hospice and end-of-life care in the Columbia, SC area. Because our pets’ lives are disproportionately short compared to how quickly they work their way into our hearts, I feel an overarching desire to focus on helping families and their pets in this delicate phase of their lives, especially in the comfort of their home. My goal is to guide families and their beloved pets through this difficult and emotional time with as much peace and dignity as possible.
About Dr. Anna Ogburn
I grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, spending much of my childhood in the small town of Blythewood, riding horses at Cedar Ridge Farm.
I’ve always loved and been drawn to animals. I grew up with all kinds of pets, from hamsters and guinea pigs to dogs and horses. I've also always had a passion for wildlife conservation. These interests led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
I earned my undergraduate degree in 1994 from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. I obtained my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, Georgia.
After some time as an associate veterinarian in small animal practice and at the Birmingham Zoo, I moved back to my hometown in 2008. Once there, I managed Cedar Ridge Farm and worked at Sunset Animal Clinic, a private small animal and exotics practice. Ultimately, I left private practice to care for an ailing family member but continued to manage the horse farm and do some relief work.
Our pets are part of our family, and their lives have been entrusted to our care. I feel a profound
responsibility to care for them to the best of our ability, including end-of-life care. I also want their final moments to be in a home they know and love, surrounded by their family. Being able to provide in-home hospice and euthanasia care to the people and pets of my hometown is a privilege.
When I’m not caring for pets, I remain an avid equestrian and enjoy riding in the equestrian discipline of eventing. I spend most of my free time supporting my niece, who is also an avid eventer. She recently began riding one of my horses, and I love watching their partnership grow. I also enjoy anything outdoors, including hiking, camping, and exploring our state and national parks
About Dr. Courtney Smith
I grew up in the small town of Cope, South Carolina. From an early age, I developed a strong bond with all animals and a natural caregiving instinct. At 8 years old, I asked our family vet if I could work for him. He said to come back when I was 10, so on my 10th birthday, I showed up on his doorstep in new scrubs and hand-painted Keds.
The shoes didn’t last, but my love of veterinary medicine did. I earned my undergraduate degree from Clemson University and then graduated from veterinary school at Tuskegee University in 2015. I’ve worked in many areas of veterinary medicine, including small animal general practice and emergency care.
My animals mean the world to me, and as a veterinarian, I support and strengthen these relationships in others. As a young child, I bonded closely with a puppy I named Rolly. She passed away suddenly one day, and just like that, my best friend was gone. I knew then I would never find that sort of friendship with another human and that the human-animal bond was special.
During my time as a practicing veterinarian, I have seen beautiful endings to the lives of many wonderful animals, and they’ve touched me in ways that words cannot express. I’ve also lost many of my own pets, each taking a small piece of my heart and replacing it with little pawprints that make me a better person and friend.
My interest in end-of-life care for pets stems from these experiences, but was solidified after seeing my grandmother in hospice care. She was provided with dignity and comfort in her final days, and I knew that as a veterinarian, I could do the same for my patients. Through my work with Lap of Love, I offer pets a peaceful end to suffering and pain, and help families in their time of need.
At home, I am an unapologetic “crazy plant lady.” I love succulents and cacti, being outdoors, gardening, and hiking with my furbabies. I enjoy listening to audiobooks and trying to balance my love of historical fiction with uplifting and educational stories. I also like to binge-watch TV with a blanket and as many pets as possible on my lap.
About Dr. Will Basinger
The son of two incredible veterinarians, my life growing up in Ballentine, SC was one filled with many animal companions. Some of these four-legged family members we raised from birth, while others we welcomed later in life. As a result, I have been lucky to share distinct bonds with more pets than most. These characteristics of my childhood were integral parts of my development, making my career path an afterthought. Through it all, I’ve learned that like a shooting star, an animal’s light burns brightly but fades all too quickly. While their lifespan may be short, our pets’ abilities to provide unconditional love, laughs, and adventure, make them just as much a part of our family as the rest of the household. This bond overwhelms our hearts with joy, while also creating one of the toughest challenges when it comes time to say ‘good-bye,’ emphasizing why the end-stage of life deserves special attention and care.
After graduating from the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department at Clemson University, I moved to Athens, GA for four years of training at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. While there, I met and fell in love with a classmate who moved to San Diego with me, where we both survived rotating internships in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. Upon completion, we practiced emergency medicine in California before moving back to my hometown. Tara took a job at a local veterinary emergency hospital while I worked part-time at two general practices. We share our home with three wonderful mixed breed dogs; Kona, Brynn, and Lily, as well as an elderly Cockatiel who rules the roost. In our free time, we enjoy water sports, rock climbing, hiking, and traveling to see family as much as our schedules allow.
While I have found the diverse challenges of general practice and wellness care rewarding, I have come to recognize an expanded need for hospice and end-of-life care in the Columbia, SC area. Because our pets’ lives are disproportionately short compared to how quickly they work their way into our hearts, I feel an overarching desire to focus on helping families and their pets in this delicate phase of their lives, especially in the comfort of their home. My goal is to guide families and their beloved pets through this difficult and emotional time with as much peace and dignity as possible.
About Dr. Anna Ogburn
I grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, spending much of my childhood in the small town of Blythewood, riding horses at Cedar Ridge Farm.
I’ve always loved and been drawn to animals. I grew up with all kinds of pets, from hamsters and guinea pigs to dogs and horses. I've also always had a passion for wildlife conservation. These interests led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
I earned my undergraduate degree in 1994 from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. I obtained my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, Georgia.
After some time as an associate veterinarian in small animal practice and at the Birmingham Zoo, I moved back to my hometown in 2008. Once there, I managed Cedar Ridge Farm and worked at Sunset Animal Clinic, a private small animal and exotics practice. Ultimately, I left private practice to care for an ailing family member but continued to manage the horse farm and do some relief work.
Our pets are part of our family, and their lives have been entrusted to our care. I feel a profound
responsibility to care for them to the best of our ability, including end-of-life care. I also want their final moments to be in a home they know and love, surrounded by their family. Being able to provide in-home hospice and euthanasia care to the people and pets of my hometown is a privilege.
When I’m not caring for pets, I remain an avid equestrian and enjoy riding in the equestrian discipline of eventing. I spend most of my free time supporting my niece, who is also an avid eventer. She recently began riding one of my horses, and I love watching their partnership grow. I also enjoy anything outdoors, including hiking, camping, and exploring our state and national parks
About Dr. Courtney Smith
I grew up in the small town of Cope, South Carolina. From an early age, I developed a strong bond with all animals and a natural caregiving instinct. At 8 years old, I asked our family vet if I could work for him. He said to come back when I was 10, so on my 10th birthday, I showed up on his doorstep in new scrubs and hand-painted Keds.
The shoes didn’t last, but my love of veterinary medicine did. I earned my undergraduate degree from Clemson University and then graduated from veterinary school at Tuskegee University in 2015. I’ve worked in many areas of veterinary medicine, including small animal general practice and emergency care.
My animals mean the world to me, and as a veterinarian, I support and strengthen these relationships in others. As a young child, I bonded closely with a puppy I named Rolly. She passed away suddenly one day, and just like that, my best friend was gone. I knew then I would never find that sort of friendship with another human and that the human-animal bond was special.
During my time as a practicing veterinarian, I have seen beautiful endings to the lives of many wonderful animals, and they’ve touched me in ways that words cannot express. I’ve also lost many of my own pets, each taking a small piece of my heart and replacing it with little pawprints that make me a better person and friend.
My interest in end-of-life care for pets stems from these experiences, but was solidified after seeing my grandmother in hospice care. She was provided with dignity and comfort in her final days, and I knew that as a veterinarian, I could do the same for my patients. Through my work with Lap of Love, I offer pets a peaceful end to suffering and pain, and help families in their time of need.
At home, I am an unapologetic “crazy plant lady.” I love succulents and cacti, being outdoors, gardening, and hiking with my furbabies. I enjoy listening to audiobooks and trying to balance my love of historical fiction with uplifting and educational stories. I also like to binge-watch TV with a blanket and as many pets as possible on my lap.