As the daughter of a veterinarian and a wildlife biologist, animals have always been a huge part of Elise Osmek’s life.
“I love working with people and animals, and love the challenges of veterinary medicine, so being a veterinarian has been the goal for me for as long as I can remember,” Elise said.
Just three weeks from today that dream will be a reality, when Elise is awarded her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Hoping to hone her soft-tissue surgery experience, Elise is going into an emergency medicine mentorship program in northern California, but she is grateful for her veterinary training at WSU thanks to the supportive community and emphasis on communication.
“Client communication classes have been an incredible part of the curriculum, and I have no doubt that the simulation-based learning opportunities have played a huge role in my capability and confidence in tackling difficult conversations with owners,” Elise said. “Confidence and new skills gained in the Optional Clinical Skills Lab and club opportunities have also helped prepare me for my career.”
Since she was a child, Elise’s love for animals has never wavered. She once rescued a mouse that escaped from her neighbor who fed them to her snake. Little did she know, the mouse was pregnant and went on to have a litter of 12. Her 1-year-old cat, Mayo, is the result of a foster fail, and her miniature poodle mix, Woody, was surrendered to a veterinary clinic she worked at during her undergraduate tenure.