About Stephanie Smith

I am absolutely amazed at the extraordinary journey of life. I am especially in awe of particular snapshots of my past;  countless clear moments collectively compounding, leading me to exactly right here right now.   I can say with certainty, as early as age five, I knew on a soul level, that I would be working with animals, especially canines.

I was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. I received my Bachelor of Science in Movement Science with a concentration in Physical Education from Westfield State University. I taught health and physical education at the middle and high school levels in the neighboring inner city town of Chicopee for ten years. During this time, I knew deeply (even three months into my first year of teaching) that I was meant for something more. At the time I also was fur momma to dog Riley (Black Labrador and Chihuahua mixed). Yes, you read that correctly! During this time, I was also coaching junior varsity boys’ soccer, varsity girls’ tennis, bartending a few nights a week, as well as going to school for my Master of Art’s in Health Education at Worcester State University.  I graduated in 2013 as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).  Shortly thereafter I became an adjunct professor at Worcester State University.  For four years I taught classes in Foundations of Strength & Conditioning and Introduction to Athletic Training. Despite my busy schedule, I still knew I needed and wanted more. There was something not quite “right” with where I needed and wanted to be, who I was, and how I wanted to show up in the world.

So, I kept searching (for me), moving forward, unlearning, and stepping further into gnosis. I enrolled in multiple courses in areas of which I knew I wanted to build my future business around. In 2015, I became a Certified Health & Nutrition Coach, attained a Level One Herbalism certificate, and became a Certified Reiki Level One practitioner all in one year’s time. I used to come home completely exhausted.  I would tell Riley regularly, “all of this is for us” and soon I would run a business where her and I could be together all the time!

Tragically and suddenly, in November 2016, I learned that Riley had an aggressive cancerous tumor.  Within three days of the news, I had to say goodbye. Losing Riley was devastating and by far the greatest loss I have ever suffered.  Difficult as it were, her loss, provided a gift.  It was one of many following events that catapulted me toward my goals, deepening resonance; trueness of what is me. 

That same year, I opened my sole proprietorship of Mind Body Soul Holistic Wellness as Reiki Practitioner and Health Coach. Months later, my sister-in-law and I decided to expand and come together as business partners. We followed our hearts and intuitive guidance, moving to Cornish, Maine in June 2017. We opened two businesses that year, right outside the village adding the second, The Root & Leaf Tea Shoppe and Apothecary.

Life has a way of shifting, as it is known to do.  We later closed our businesses in December 2018. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful and challenging chapter in my life and it certainly was another pin on the map in the journey of what was to come.

Throughout this process and during this massive collapse, I “fell” into a continued and most profound unravelling, a dark night of the soul. Everyday was a challenage.  Despite, I continued in every moment to pick myself up, metaphysically dirty and bloodied, and continued to focus on healing, digging deeper, understanding more, …..more than ever before.  The only way through is in!   All that was never truly mine (me) needed to be burned away; and so it did! 

At this point, I completely submerged myself in study and integration of developmental, ancestral and other trauma, epigenetics, shamanism, herbalism, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory, other forms of energy work, and the list goes on.  I spent years ensconced within these areas and continue to expand upon it today.  Compoundingly, I paralleled this research and personal unpacking with canines. I often asked myself; how do the worlds converge and what entails optimal canine wellness? Canine vitality and joy?  I vehemently studied canine behavior and training, canine psychology and learning theory, canine trauma, canine food therapy, canine nutrition, canine neuroscience and neuroethology, canine herbalism, canine Traditional Chinese Medicine, canine energy work, and more. I was unaware at the time of the foreshadowing and how my heart would lead me to bring all my favorite worlds together. 

Today, I am a Canine Behavior Counselor, Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist, Canine Herbalist, Certified Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer, and more.  I am currently working on my Ph.D in Neural & Brain Sciences and Neuroethology.  However, I am taking a break from this program to return after I finish my Doctor of Animal Naturopathy (D.A.N.).  In addition to supporting my clients, I am also the Lead Behavior & Wellness Consultant at Wolves of Maine Sanctuary.  In my spare time, I love to slow down, sit and enjoy the sun, feet on the Earth, with a warm cup of tea, enjoying being in nature with my four legged family. 

 Uniting all of my history, knowledge and experience to date to aid and support canines and their pet parents with a holistic-whole picture approach to overall health and happiness is truly my life mission.  It is my humbled honor to show up for my community, serving you and your four legged loved ones with love, compassion, and a goal of cultivating home harmony, nervous system resiliency, vitality, enjoyment, and a strengthened bond between one another.

This one is for your Riley!

With love,

Stephanie Smith, M.Ed., CPCN, CHES, CCDT

 Ashe, Ember, Sweet Pea, and Daisy