Dr. Smolkin grew up in Toronto, Canada. She graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2003. She spent a year interning at a referral centre in Memphis, Tennessee studying internal medicine and oncology. She started working in general small animal practice at the Guelph Animal Hospital and became a part owner soon after.

She developed a passion for non-traditional medicine becoming certified with the College of Animal Chiropractors, trained in biotherapy, homotoxicology and western herbals with the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies, and studies osteopathy with Full Spectrum Canine Therapy. Dr. Smolkin lives in Guelph, Canada with her husband Carlos, her daughter Robyn, and her 2 cats and 2 dogs, Ella, Bennett, Mackenzie, and Nacho.