Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
Undergraduate Degree: Animal Sciences (WSU)
Area of Interest: Mixed animal practice
Emma Impala loves working with many animals, which is why she is planning to work at a mixed animal practice in eastern Washington after graduation.
“Not only do I love working with animals every day, but I love building relationships with their owners,” Emma said. “It is so rewarding for me to follow along the life of an animal, watching all those milestones but also getting to know the clients that care for the animal and building that trust between us that we both want the absolute best for that animal regardless if the animal is a production animal or a household pet.”
Before pursuing an undergraduate degree in animal science at WSU, and now her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Emma rode horses competitively, participating in traditional fox hunting and three-day eventing.
Her hobbies during college consist of spending time friends, frequenting concerts in Spokane, and enjoying the outdoors – especially the Snake River – with her three dogs, Moose, a 5-year-old chocolate Lab; Grizzly, a 1-year-old Boykin spaniel; and her latest addition, Rooster, a 4-month-old Lab puppy.
In addition to her dogs, Emma has two domestic short hair cats, Frank and Meredith, and a 3-year-old leopard gecko named Steve.
Fun Fact: Emma loves to garden – tomatoes (several different kinds), rhubarb, zucchini, garlic, onions, chives, strawberries, etc! She’s also getting married to fer fiancé, Cody, on July 4, 2026.