Hometowns: Phoenix AZ, Flagstaff AZ, Boise, ID, and Pullman
Undergraduate Degree: Psychology, Spanish, Master’s in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management (Northern Arizona University)
Areas of Interest: Small Animal General Practice
Kara Self didn’t originally set out to become a veterinarian – but once she found the profession, she knew it was exactly where she belonged.
After working at a cat sanctuary, Kara saw firsthand the resilience of animals and the deep bonds they share with their people. During the pandemic, she began working as a veterinary technician and quickly fell in love with the medicine behind the profession.
“Being a veterinarian means I can be an advocate for my patients,” she said. “But most importantly, I get to connect with my clients and help them make the most informed decisions for their pets’ health at all stages of life.”
At WSU, Kara said she’s grown into a confident communicator and patient advocate. Through hands-on learning and clinical experiences, she’s learned how to build meaningful relationships with clients and ensure their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
After graduation, Kara is heading to the Ballard area of Seattle to pursue small animal general practice, where she hopes to become someone’s trusted hometown veterinarian. Before stepping into that next chapter, she’ll celebrate another milestone – marrying her fiancé, Ben, on the Oregon/Washington coast the week before commencement.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Kara is rarely still. She enjoys hiking Kamiak Butte, biking the Chipman Trail – the site of her first date with Ben – and kayaking the Snake River with her two dachshunds, Slinky and Buster. At home, she bakes vegan desserts for friends (lemon lavender scones are a favorite) and spends time with her lively household of 13 beloved pets.