Hometown: Buena Vista, VA
Undergraduate Degree: Biology (BYU)
Area of Interest: Small Animal General Practice, Neurology, Theriogenology, Integrative Medicine
Kiana Lawton hopes to build a career in small animal general practice that allows her to provide a broad range of care while continuing to develop expertise in the areas that interest her most.
She is especially drawn to neurology, integrative medicine and rehabilitation, surgery, and theriogenology, and she hopes to pursue continuing education and certifications after graduation so she can expand the services she offers her patients. At WSU, Kiana said she’s benefited from learning directly from specialists in each area of veterinary medicine.
“Learning cardiology from a cardiologist, for example, gives us an irreplaceable opportunity to build a strong foundation for our future careers,” she said.
Kiana said that broad foundation will serve her well as she pursues general practice, likely in Utah, where she also completed her undergraduate education. Kiana is drawn to veterinary medicine not only because of the hands-on nature of medicine, but also because of the difference she can make in the lives of her patients and their owners.
“I enjoy forming connections with clients,” she said. “I also like that this is a career where I can see the immediate impact of my actions in improving the lives of my patients.”
Outside of veterinary medicine, Kiana keeps busy with a spinning wheel, turning wool into yarn that she uses for knitting and crocheting. She also sings in choirs, enjoys arts and crafts, and travels whenever she can. Having grown up overseas, she has visited about 40 countries. She also enjoys fall weather, and, closer to campus, Sella’s calzones.