Nadine Encarnacion’s late German Shepherd, Lex, is a big reason she applied to veterinary school. Lex passed away in Nadine’s second year of undergrad from a suspected oral melanoma.
“I felt like there was more I could have done or learned about to reduce his suffering at the end of his life. Since then, my why is to educate, help, and care for the animals of this world and their humans so they can be the best, healed, and highest version of themselves,” Nadine said.
With that mission in mind, Nadine plans to attend a small animal rotating internship after veterinary school and specialize in radiology/diagnostic imaging.
Nadine has more than eight years of experience working in general practice and emergency veterinary clinics. Four of those years she served as a full-time relief veterinary assistant.
While she will no longer be the president of the Judo club here at WSU Pullman, Nadine plans to continue to build on her 25 years of experience in the Japanese martial art.
Nadine, originally from the Philippines, was on the national Judo team for the U.S. and the Philippines. She competed all over including France, Morocco, India, South Korea and Chile. Nadine is also a self-defense instructor and practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai.
Nadine said she has made lifelong friends at WSU.
“WSU has opened my eyes to the complexities and the joys of being in veterinary medicine. It has taught me the importance of having the right people and support around, and how difficult it can be when faced with situations or systems that are not. At the end of the day, I learned that while it is great to strive for perfection, it is important to remember we are human. We all are doing our best with what we know for the beings we love,” Nadine said.