Ashlee Buist and her patients have a lot in common – they both like to eat peanut butter by the spoonful if you let them.
With plans to specialize in small animal specialty surgery, Ashlee led a study with WSU small animal surgeon Dr. Bettina Darveshi examining the long-term outcomes of dogs with medial coronoid process disease after surgery. She is presenting her research at the 2025 Veterinary Orthopedic Society Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Participating in the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program, Ashlee doesn’t know exactly where she is going after graduation, but she knows she’s found her passion – orthopedic surgery.
Ashlee is pursuing a small animal rotating internship before a surgical residency.
“I have wanted to be a veterinarian since I could walk and started working for it as soon as I could,” Ashlee said. “I have always loved being around animals and had an interest in medicine, so I made the best of both worlds.”
Ashlee earned her bachelor’s degree in animal, dairy and veterinary science at Utah State University, as well as completing her first two years of veterinary school at USU through WSU’s regional program in veterinary medicine.
She said the veterinary program has not only given her the knowledge and skills to be a well-rounded veterinarian, but it’s also introduced her to countless people in the field.
“The connections I have made with classmates, professors, technicians, and house officers are unparalleled. I know in many cases I have made lifelong friends,” she said.
Ashlee loves spending time outdoors with her 4-year-old chocolate Labrador, Joey (Joseph when he’s in trouble).
Oftentimes, you can find Ashlee paddleboarding, hiking, rock climbing, skiing or camping where the altitude is high and the cell service is low.
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