Hometown: Orcas Island, WA
Undergraduate Degree: Animal Science (WSU)
Area of Interest: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
For someone who grew up surrounded by alpacas, sheep, chickens, and even miniature donkeys, it’s no surprise that Luke Pietsch developed a deep appreciation for animals early on.
What did come as a surprise, however, was just how much he’d fall in love with Washington State University.
“I never planned on being a diehard Coug fan,” Luke said. “But after seven years in Pullman, I never miss a football or basketball game.”
Drawn to surgery, Luke hopes to work in a small animal general practice that allows him to focus on the operating room.
“If you don’t need to specialize to be happy in your career, then I do not think you need to specialize,” he said. “There’s so much you can accomplish in veterinary medicine with continuing education and a strong foundation.”
That foundation, he said, was built through WSU’s hands-on veterinary training and the mentorship of faculty who supported him both professionally and personally.
Luke credits James Herriot’s book series “All Creatures Great and Small” as one of the forces behind his attraction to the veterinary field.
“Those books teach you about life, about the world, about people, about beauty in small things and made me fall in love with the idea of veterinary medicine for all that it can be,” Luke said.
With the NAVLE behind him, Luke can be found in the gym again chasing new personal records — a 455-pound 10-rep squat and a 300-pound 10-rep bench press are next on his list.
And though Thomas Hammer Coffee may be closed, Luke said its front window remains one of his favorite memories from his time in Pullman. He jokes its coffee is the reason he passed all of his classes.