Hometown: British Columbia, Canada
Undergraduate Degree: Biochemistry and Microbiology (University of British Columbia Okanagan)
Area of Interest: Small Animal Medicine
The student features for the #WSUVetMed Class of 2027 are finally here. Up first, Brooklynn Balic! Brooklynn is pursuing a future in small animal medicine with a particular interest in emergency care and client communication.
While a love of animals helped inspire her career in veterinary medicine, she always felt caring for pet owners is just as important.
“As much as I love animals, I want to be a veterinarian for the clients just as much as I do for the patients,” she said. “Visiting the veterinarian can often be a stressful or difficult experience, especially for those whose animals are presenting in a much more critical state. I hope that as a veterinarian, I am able to decrease that anxiety through continuous verbal support and maintaining communication.”
As a fourth-year student, Brooklynn credits WSU with helping her develop the knowledge and confidence needed for clinical practice.
“WSU does a really great job at structuring their program in a way that honors your progression and growth as a veterinary student and future clinician,” she said. “I’ve had the pleasure of watching how what I’ve learned in classes builds on itself from year to year and supports my success as a student.”
After graduation, Brooklynn plans to pursue a small animal rotating internship in the British Columbia area and hopes to ultimately build a career in emergency medicine.
Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys staying active through weightlifting, running, hiking, biking, swimming, and racquet sports. She also enjoys reading, plays three musical instruments, and values spending time with friends and family. One of her favorite Pullman spots is Pups & Cups, where she’s made memories at trivia nights and visits with family.
Fun Fact: Brooklynn makes all of her own scrub caps.