Meet the Class of 2026: Natalie Hayes

Natalie hayes cares for a horse.
Natalie Hayes, a fourth-year veterinary medicine student in Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, practices ultrasound techniques on a horse in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Pullman. (College of Veterinary Medicine/Ted S. Warren)

Hometown: Issaquah, WA

Undergraduate Degree: Animal Sciences (WSU)

Area of Interest: Equine Medicine

Natalie Hayes is a true Coug through and through. She completed her undergraduate degree in animal sciences right here at Washington State University before joining the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Passionate about equine general practice, Nataie is preparing for a future in sports medicine, preventative care, and emergency medicine. After graduation, she plans to pursue an equine rotating internship before continuing her career as an equine veterinarian right here in Washington state.

“I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with future clients to help empower them to be more confident horse owners, while building long lasting relationships with them and their horses,” she said.

Her favorite part of WSU?

“The community here. From the first time I toured campus back in 2018, to now, I still am amazed by how welcoming the Cougar community is. WSU pride makes fast friends out of strangers no matter where you go,” she said.

A fun fact about Natalie — she served as Western Captain of the WSU Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Equestrian Team during her junior and senior years, gaining valuable leadership and coaching experience while spending more time around the animals she loves.