Hometown: Ferndale, Washington
Undergraduate Degree: Animal Science (University of Idaho)
Area of Interest: Small Animal and Small Mammal Medicine
For Hailey Pelton, veterinary medicine is about advocating for animals while helping their owners better understand how to best care for their pets.
A former Division I volleyball student-athlete at the University of Idaho, Hailey has found another passion at WSU through her work as a peer instructor. Regular training in the Clinical Skills Lab has helped her build confidence in her own abilities while developing her skills as a mentor.
“Teaching, meeting students where they are, and helping them make individualized progress” has been one of the most meaningful parts of her time at WSU, she said.
She also credits WSU’s client communication courses with preparing her to navigate difficult conversations and build trusting relationships with clients.
After graduation, Hailey hopes to pursue a career in small animal and small mammal urgent care, with plans to eventually move into emergency and critical care. She is also particularly interested in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Hailey enjoys hiking, spending time on the water, and making the most of the outdoors with friends and her 3-year-old Siamese-snowshoe mix, Coconut.