Kelsey Purdy (’23, DVM), a third-year veterinary student in the WIMU Regional Program at Washington State University, is interested in equine medicine with an emphasis in sports medicine.
Originally from Chandler, Arizona, she found her passion for horses at a young age when she began barrel racing. Riding and competing for most her life, her horse Kitty’s injury helped lead her to her passion for veterinary medicine. Kelsey went on to get her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Arizona, before applying to the WIMU Regional Program to continue her journey in veterinary medicine. Throughout her undergraduate career she was a riding instructor at Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids in Tucson, Arizona, a non-profit ranch that strives to create an inclusive community powered by the strength of the human-animal bond. She also enjoyed volunteering at a local cat rescue in Arizona and with the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro program. She received WICHE support from Arizona to attend WSU in addition to the William Gasman Memorial Scholarship to support her first academic year.When she graduates in 2023 she hopes to work at an Equine Specialty center in Arizona. In her spare time Kelsey enjoys exploring new trails around the Palouse with her horse Holly.