Hometown: Rigby, Idaho
Undergraduate Degree: Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences (Utah State University)
Area of Interest: Equine medicine
For Hayden Erickson, horses have always been at the center of his life. Growing up in southern Idaho, he developed a passion for the horse community that only deepened during his undergraduate studies at Utah State University, where he earned a degree in animal, dairy, and veterinary sciences.
“During my undergrad, I was exposed to the impact that veterinarians can have on the horses and people within this community, and I was hooked,” he said.
At WSU, Hayden has focused on building technical and communication skills that will prepare him for a career as an equine practitioner. He credits courses like the third-year Large Animal Surgery elective and the second-year Communication course, along with extensive time in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for helping him grow as a veterinarian.
His favorite part of WSU, though, is the people: “Classmates, colleagues, and strangers have become lifelong friends. I’ll cherish the memories and experiences with these friends forever, and I am grateful for WSU’s hand in bringing us all together.”
After graduation, Hayden plans to complete an equine internship before returning home to southeastern Idaho to practice. When he’s not studying, he enjoys roping, riding, skiing, or relaxing on the river. He also has a corgi named Blue and four quarter horses that his family helps raise while he’s at school. He loves them all!
Fun Fact: You can spot him in an Amazon Prime Original — about five minutes of screen time in “The College Tour.”