boston veterinary care

Meet our veterinarians

Martha Smith, DVM, Director of Veterinary Medical Services 

A graduate of Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Martha Smith, DVM, director of veterinary medical services, oversees all veterinary care at Boston Veterinary Care.  Dr. Smith is a clinical instructor at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.  In addition to her position at Boston Veterinary Care, Dr. Smith is committed locally (via the ARL of Boston's mobile Spay Waggin’), nationally and internationally to promoting humane population control through the establishment of spay and neuter facilities and trains veterinarians in safe spay/neuter techniques.  She is a vice president of the board of directors of the Association for Shelter Veterinarians and is the chair of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and also serves on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Committee.  

Hugh Davis, DVM 

Dr. Hugh Davis, DVM, a graduate of the inaugural class of Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, has an extensive background in private practice and has a special interest in orthopedic and soft tissue medical conditions.  Working to provide humane spay and neuter population control for roaming dogs in Oaxaca, Mexico, Dr. Davis received the Massachusetts Veterinary Association's Merit Award for his work to help preserve the endangered sea turtle population which is highly threatened by the dog population in Oaxaca.  

Rashel Shophet-Ratner, DVM, MS

Practicing general veterinary medicine and surgery at Boston Veterinary Care since 1986, Dr. Shophet-Ratner graduated from Tehran University, Iran and worked at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Tehran.  She received a scholarship to pursue a master of philosophy degree from Massey University, New Zealand.  With a strong background in research, Dr. Shophet-Ratner has received scholarly awards from several veterinary medical journals.   

Alett Mekler, MA, DVM

Dr. Mekler received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College outside of Toronto, Canada in 2002. Upon graduation, she then pursued an internship in small animal medicine at the University of Illinois followed by a veterinary oncology dedicated internship at Michigan State University. In addition to her degree in veterinary medicine, Alett also has a  Master of Arts degree in Economics. In her free time, she enjoys training for marathons, traveling and photography. She shares her home with her husband Hugh, Riley the Jack Russell, Toffee the Chihueagle and Kiwi the kitty.

Christina Kajsa Newlin, DVM

Dr. Christina Kajsa Newlin is a graduate of Yale University and Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. she has been practicing general medicine and surgery at the Animal Rescue League of Boston since 1998. In 2001, she completed the IVAS veterianry acupuncture course. In addition to practicing veterinary medicine and surgery, Dr. Newlin has a special interest in surgery and pain management.