Meet the WSU CVM Student Services Team
The process of applying for veterinary school is not always an easy one, a
fact the Student Services Team at WSU College of Veterinary Medicine tries to
help manage. We want to help you the best we can so that your application and
admissions process will go as smoothly as possible. Chances are you may have a
few questions – so, whether you email us, call or even stop by – we thought
you'd like to know who it is you will be interacting with!
I am a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and
Pathology. My teaching responsibilities include Veterinary
Parasitology and graduate courses on infectious diseases and
research. My research is directed at advancing biological
understanding of interactions between host animals and
infectious diseases. The aim is to discover new applications for
the control of these diseases. A specific area of research is on
gastrointestinal nematodes that infect livestock and humans. We
are investigating nematode intestinal proteins that function in
nutrient digestion and acquisition by these parasites. A goal is
to develop new methods of immune control or chemotherapy by
targeting critical intestinal proteins of gastrointestinal
nematodes.
My current position involves teaching in the veterinary curriculum and
providing diagnostic toxicology service to Washington Animal
Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the University of Idaho's
Analytical Sciences Laboratory. The veterinary toxicology
service currently receives over 1300 cases per year, totaling
more than 4100 tests. These cases come from all over the
Northwest and include submissions involving all animal species.
I process and answer all application questions for applying students. I
set up interviews, tours of the hospital, send correspondence
letters and brochures, and make sure each student has all the
required information in their application packet for the
admissions committee reviews during the admissions process. I
work with the rest of the team to ensure that all current and
future students receive the information they need to complete
the application process, visit the school and get their DVM
degree.
A little about myself: I enjoy all types of needlework, visiting
the ocean, camping, riding 4-wheelers and being with my husband,
our 3 grown daughters, their husbands and our 7 grandchildren.
One of the first things you will notice if you ever visit my
office is all my family photos.
Pets: Our 4-legged family member is Tamone. She might let you
pet her and she might not. Tamone is a tabby-Manx cross. I have
been accused by a 5 year old boy of being a not-so-nice person
because I cut off my cat's tail. Have you ever tried to explain
to a 5-year-old why some cats do not have tails? This is
something you may want to think about if you want to go into the
veterinary field, because by a 5-year-old's calculation... all
cats have tails and that is that.
Before my current position as Academic Coordinator in Student
Services, I served as the program coordinator for clinical
communication, leadership and continuing education programs for
the WSU CVM. Now, in my new role, my goal is one of helping
our DVM students to be successful while here at WSU.
Prior to joining the CVM team in 2007, I worked 27 years in K-12
education. I studied fine arts at Central Washington University,
and I’m a published illustrator.
My hobbies are . . . family, fishing, backpacking, camping,
wildlife photography, and gardening. In the fall and winter
months you can find my husband and me, along with our cocker
spaniel, steelhead fishing most weekends on the Snake and
Clearwater Rivers in Idaho.
My primary job is to provide counseling for students in the
College of Veterinary Medicine. I also offer workshops to
students on such topics as study skills, test anxiety, and
relationships. In addition, I’m available to consult with
faculty and staff members on issues related to students.
I have worked at WSU in Student Affairs, Career Services, and
Counseling Services and I earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology
at WSU as well. For the past several years I have been in
private practice in Pullman. I was excited to return to WSU in
2011 as a counselor for vet students. My professional interests
include couples counseling, anxiety disorders and adult children
of divorce.