Small Town News

Love for animals leads NM graduate to vet school

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Jasmine Feist grew up on a five-acre farm in Belfair with various animals.

"We had everything from sheep to goats and pigs," Feist said. "Animals have always been a part of my life."

Feist has had some injuries due to horses, including a lacerated liver from the horse falling on top of her in 2001 and needing 10 plates and 12 screws after being kicked in the face by a horse in 2005.

"It's like every four years I have to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks," Feist said. "That story third times the charm, I don't really like that."

Feist said that it surprises people when they hear that she is currently studying at Washington State University's Veterinary Medical School.

Feist graduated from North Mason High School in 2007 and earned an associate's degree from Olympic College in Shelton through the Running Start program.

Feist chose to attend Washington State University because she felt it was a campus based in a small town like Shelton and Belfair.

"The atmosphere is centered around the university," Feist said. "Minus the campus, [Pullman] would be about the size of Shelton."

When earning her bachelor's degree in animal sciences, Feist said that there was no disadvantage coming in as a junior at 18 years old.

"I had to stay in the dorms so I felt like a freshman even though I was a junior," Feist said.

Feist graduated with her bachelor's degree in 2009. Following graduation, she entered the WSU vet school.

"No sense in taking a break," Feist said.

Feist said that the learning experience is less stressful with all students being considered colleagues during the school day.

"They [WSU] want us to be more like colleagues and help each other out, rather than everybody trying to get that A'," Feist said.

While the classroom is more like a community, Feist said it is still stressful with school days starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m.

"You learn to sleep in when you can and study," Feist said. "You definitely have to have good time management."

On top of Feist's schedule, she is part of a number of clubs, which is something that all students at WSU's medical program add to their school schedule.

"Basically, everybody is in at least five clubs, but mainly active in a few," Feist said.

Feist is the vice president for the university's Veterinarian Business Management Association and also president of the Small Ruminant Club.

Feist said that the clubs at the university are not like at high school where the groups meet every day.

"It's like once a week," Feist said.

Feist also has her horse Leo join her in Pullman, boarding him a few miles away from the campus.

"I ride him when I get a chance," Feist said. "It's calming. You hop on and you don't have to think about anything else."

Feist said she would like to work with horses after she finishes vet school three years from now. She said she would like to work in the western half of the state, if not Mason County, taking a few years to get her feet wet in the field.

"I think eventually I'd like to be involved in the business aspect of it," Feist said.



Copyright 2010 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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