Lysa P. Deaton-Smith, DVM, is a native of Charlotte, N.C., but grew up in Cornelius, N.C. She attended North Carolina State University for her Bachelor of Zoology degree and then attended North Carolina State - College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1991 with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

She originally worked in a mixed animal practice for several years, and then settled in on small animal medicine. Dr. Deaton-Smith, her husband, Alex, and their dog, Agatha, moved to Catawba county in 2005 and built a home outside of Claremont, N.C. Dr. Deaton-Smith's interests range from family, horses, water skiing, snow skiing, diving, travel to decorating and landscaping.