Hometown: Mount Shasta, California, and Kona, Hawaii
Undergraduate Degree: Marine science (University of Hawaii)
Area of Interest: Mixed-animal general practice
When it comes to why Hailey Briseno chose veterinary medicine, the answer is clear: “I am drawn to veterinary medicine because it offers a lifetime of learning — there is always more to discover, refine, and apply in order to better help both animals and their owners.”
Growing up in Hawaii and northern California, Hailey developed a lifelong connection with animals and the outdoors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo before coming to WSU, where she cultivated a passion for rural mixed-animal general practice.
“WSU has provided me not with every answer, but with the tools and mindset to find them and to keep growing in any field of veterinary practice,” she said. “To me, being a veterinarian means combining knowledge, compassion, and adaptability to promote animal health while collaborating with and supporting their owners.”
Outside of school, Hailey enjoys hiking, running, biking, scuba diving, skiing, and relaxing with a good book. She also shares her home with her three rescue cats — Peggy, the two-legged speed nugget; Pebbles, the tiny angry food goblin; and Winston, the refined and handsome gentleman — and a cuddly pit bull named Persephone.
Fun Fact: Hailey once got ambushed by monkeys on a trip abroad, a reminder to always pack extra snacks.