Are you considering WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine? Our student ambassadors are available to provide insight into our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
Third-year veterinary student Chloe Hoover is a Washington resident, but that’s not the only reason she attended WSU for veterinary school.
“I grew up in a die-hard Coug family, as my mom attended WSU for pharmacy school, and I also was in Pullman for my undergraduate degree,” Chloe said. “WSU was my in-state veterinary school option, which was a big draw to me, but I also loved the town of Pullman and the feeling of family you get being on campus.”
Chloe is passionate about small animals and plans to work in a small animal general practice. While the WSU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum trains students in all tracks of veterinary medicine, Chloe said open labs, groups and other extracurricular activities are ways to specialize in specific areas.
Chloe is a member of the human-animal-bond, small ruminant, integrative medicine, shelter medicine and dental clubs. She recommends getting involved in clubs early.
“Clubs provide a variety of opportunities in many different species and interests in veterinary medicine,” she said. “You can supplement your education to your desired species with club lectures and labs. The clubs are run by students, which allows students to tailor the activities to what they are interested in learning about or gaining hands-on experience with. Clubs are what you make of them, so they can be low commitment if needed.”
Chloe said she enjoys the hands-on aspects of the program, in particular the Diagnostic Challenge, communications courses and the euthanasia simulation lab.
She also knows the importance of being able to take a break from it all.
“I wish I knew to develop more hobbies and interests unrelated to veterinary medicine before veterinary school,” she said. “It has helped my mental health and my academic performance.”