Smarties, I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of my good buds, Emy Shepard. I met Emy five years ago when our girls were in kindergarten together and we became fast friends. Emy is one of those people who will give you the shirt off her back and expect nothing in return. She has a heart of gold and is the best mommy ever to her three little ones. I think she has them signed up for every activity under the sun – she is my go-to when I’m considering registering for a new gig!
Emy is a Charlotte native, a rare treat, and pursued her love of animals and is a veterinerian. This is always a good friend to have on your celly, especially when you get a new puppy who is a billy goat! I’ve called her on many occasions asking her advice on this and that with crazy symptoms of our critters.
Emy is a gem, enjoy getting to know her!
Emy Shepard’s Smarty Mom Stats:
Mom of: Madeleine, 9; Ava, 7; Andrew, 5; 1 dog, Sydney (almost 13), and 2 cats, Abbey (14 ½) and Lilly (2)
How cute is that, I think she is the very first Smarty Mom to list her pets, pics included, as part of her family:-)
Married to: Kris, 14 years
Years in Charlotte: 40 (left for college, veterinary school, and Kris’s law school)
Hood: South Charlotte
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill 1995; North Caroline State College of Veterinary Medicine 1999
Occupation: Veterinarian
When did you decide that you wanted to be a veterinarian?
I was a biology major and chemistry minor in college and always knew that I wanted to do something science-related, but I didn’t decide on veterinary school until the summer after my first year of college when I got a job working at a veterinary clinic. I loved it and knew that’s what I wanted to do.
What tips do you have for kids interested in this major and how do they navigate the system?
Study, study, study…Veterinary school is very competitive and you have to have excellent grades. Also, try to volunteer with animals wherever you can so that you feel comfortable around them and have experience in the “real world” of veterinary medicine. If you know before college that you want to apply to veterinary school, there are colleges that offer Animal Science majors (such as NC State). It would never hurt to take some economics and business classes also, in case you want to own your own clinic one day!
What is your favorite part about being a veterinarian?
Being a veterinarian is a very rewarding job. I love just being around the animals all day. I also love the variety of cases that I see during the workday. A veterinarian must be prepared to be a general practitioner, a dermatologist, neurologist, cardiologist, surgeon, orthopedist, ophthalmologist…
I love that my kids are proud of what I do, and they want to come with me on the weekends to watch me do treatments and care for the animals.
What is your least favorite?
Euthanasias are my least favorite part of the job. Also, some days it’s frustrating to not be able to provide optimal medical care for a pet because of financial limitations.
What is your funniest request you’ve ever had from a pet owner?
When I worked in Charlottesville, VA I had a client who was very holistic and into meditation. When I came in the exam room, she asked me to please speak very softly and get down on the floor with the dog so that he could listen and understand what I was saying ☺
We want to tap into your little black book – who’s your favorite groomer, boarding facility, and dog park in Charlotte?
My dog Sydney is a short-haired mixed breed dog (a mutt☺ from the shelter), so she doesn’t need to be groomed. Matthews Animal Clinic, where I work, has grooming and boarding, so that’s where Sydney stays when we go out of town.
I’ve always socialized Sydney with friends’ and neighbors’ dogs who I know are well vaccinated and healthy. If you go to a dog park, I would recommend looking for one that requires up to date vaccinations for distemper/parvo, rabies, and kennel cough and has separate areas for small and large dogs.
What brand of dog food/cat food do your pets eat?
Science Diet
What do you think about pet insurance?
I think it’s a great option to look into. There are usually several levels of coverage to choose from, and it’s always nice when clients are okay with doing necessary testing because they have pet insurance to help cover the cost.
Microchip?
Definitely; we have reunited many lost pets with their family because of registered microchips.
Switching roles here…
What is your favorite thing to do with your family in the fall?
We love to go to the NC mountains and go hiking off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The kids love to bring their backpacks and look for leaves, rocks, and other treasures to collect. We also usually go to Skytop Apple Orchard —the apple cider donuts are unbelievable!
What is the last meal you cooked (include recipe)?
I am not much of a cook—my husband does most of the cooking. I actually did make a pot roast this weekend, but I had to call my mom to ask what to do with it!
Favorite restaurant to take the whole fam?
Cabo’s and Char Bar 7
The phrase you’ve said to your children more than any other at home is…
It’s probably “We’ve got to go…we’re going to be late!”, but we also play a game from when they were babies when I ask them “Do you know your Mommy loves you?”
Funniest thing your children have ever said to you?
I find the funniest notes from my oldest daughter Maddie. One was written to her sister and it said, “Dear Ava, I’m sorry, but, I am about to set a trap. Love, Maddie” She also had a funeral for a popped balloon, and I found the announcement (which detailed that Ellie the balloon popped while the Shepards were in church and no one knew exactly what had happened) next to a pencil case—when I opened the case, the popped balloon was inside like a little coffin.
My middle child, Ava, has been great friends with a boy since they were babies and once at a Chinese restaurant she read her fortune cookie which said she didn’t need to worry about her future. She said, “Oh good, I don’t have to worry about kissing Sawyer one day!”
Our youngest, Andrew, has us laughing all the time. The morning after we had a new babysitter watch the kids, my husband asked Andrew if he had behaved. He stopped what he was doing, turned to Kris and said, “What did she tell you?”
What is something most people don’t know about you?
When I was 12, I got to dance the role of Clara in the CPCC production of The Nutcracker.
Best book you’ve read lately?
I usually read books by Kathy Reichs (Bones) or David Baldacci—any sort of forensic or legal thriller. But I’ve recently joined a book club, which has exposed me to some great books I never would have known about. The latest was “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes. It was so good!
Who is your celebrity crush?
Anyone who knows me knows it’s Keith Urban!
Also David Boreanez from Bones.
Favorite CSP article?
I love Cheryl’s blogs, Susan is hilarious, and Wendy’s recipes are wonderful (seeing as I need all the help I can get with cooking dinner).
Behavioral trait you hope your kids don’t inherit from you.
Waiting until the last minute to leave for something and having to rush.
Guilty pleasure?
Peanut butter frozen yogurt with Reese’s peanut butter cups and Reese’s pieces☺
Emy’s little sister, Natalie, is co-founder of HOLST+LEE, part of our Fall Fashion Giveaway! She’s big, ya’ll, REALLY big! We’re so proud of her and are thrilled that she is supporting our fall fun!
One lucky Smarty will win one of her FAB necklaces and another will win one of her bracelets – AMAZING! Emy has been wearing Natalie’s pieces over the years and I promise you, they make the outfit. You definitely will want to design your outfit around her pieces. Stunning! Here’s Aunt Natalie with Emy’s kids at the Coral trunk show:
Here’s what YOU can win (last day to enter to win is tomorrow):
HOLST+LEE is also offering a 20% discount on all orders placed through December 25, 2013 by using the coupon code “smartypants” when you shop. Click here for details! I’m ordering several for myself under my “tree”:-)
For the rest of our Fall Fashion Giveaways, click here. It’s all over tomorrow!
3 comments
As a friend of Emy’s since we were 14, Emy is one of the most genuine people I know. I am honored to have her as a friend. Love you Em!
Emy is one of the best mothers I have ever met and is such a great Vet! She took such wonderful care of my aging dog Daisy. When I finally had to put her to sleep she cried with me. Her children are so sweet which shows you what great parents her and her husband are. Like Nikki said, one of the most genuine, soft spoken person I know. Love ya!
So happy to see Emy on here! Our Penny and Hogan love her!