302: Research Animals at WSU

Biomedical research is a fast growing field of laboratory animal science. From rabbits to pigs, you will have an opportunity to properly handle live animals. Emphasis will be placed on animal welfare and humane care of these valuable research subjects. See how we use animals in research and how much more we have to learn from them. [Same curriculum as previous years]

Faculty/Instructor

Donna  Lewis,

Nickname: Dr. D
Hometown: Born in Hamilton, Montana. Have lived in Viola, Idaho for 21 years.
Universities attended: University of Idaho 1982-1987: BS in Animal Science, minor in Music Ed. Washington State University 1989-1993: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
WSU Department: Office of the Campus Veterinarian (OCV)
Class topics I’ll teach in the fall: No formal classes taught. I teach laboratory animal technician courses via the American Assoc. of Laboratory Animal Science; and an occasional guest lecture in a wildlife biology lab.
My Research/Teaching area of interest: I am a clinical veterinarian in the field of Lab animal science. I conduct no direct research projects of my own. I am interested in food animal and wildlife studies.
Any plans before CQ begins: My family loves camping and horseback riding so we’ll enjoy some of that before camp begins. I’ll spend time accumulating animals and activities for CQ, and will look forward to meeting this year’s campers!
Interests/Hobbies: I love spending time in the great outdoors with my family, horses and dogs. Also I enjoy swimming, skiing, singing, fishing, hiking, biking, hobby farming, gardening and reading.
Favorite Summer memory: Summer pack trips with family, friends and horses. Being the first to dive into a crystal clear high mountain lake was sweet. Wow, those were cold, even in late July!!
My Life Goal: To the best of my ability strive to be a darn good Mom, Wife and Vet.
About myself: Oh goodness, …..Well, I have a kind, outdoorsy hubby and 2 fine daughters. We own way more pets than should legally be allowed. On our small hobby farm there are 3 crazy dogs, 4-10 guinea pigs (depending on what stage of young rearing the sows are in), 3 outdoor cats, 4 horses and somewhere in the neighborhood of 30+ chickens, oh and my youngest wouldn’t want me to leave out her goldfish “Bubbles”. Some of my favorite TV shows are the oldies: Magnum PI, Hawaii Five-O, Grizzly Adams, The Andy Griffith Show, Night Court, Happy Days…the only modern ones I watch are House, ER and occasionally some version of CSI. One of my favorite sports, at least to watch, is rodeo. I do like basketball and soccer too. Music is a favorite hobby for me – singing, listening, dancing – pretty much anything to do with music is cool. I’ve been employed in the veterinary field for 20 years or so, beginning as kennel help and gradually working up the ladder to veterinarian. I have also waitressed, worked for a small telephone company, and milked cows at a university dairy.

I have traveled to some wonderful European countries with a choir from Montana (Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Holland, France and Belgium); have been to Costa Rica with my sister – a real treat! And have visited 20 some US states – my favorites being Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Hawaii. Some of the most beautiful places on earth are in our own backyards. Languages – I’m pretty limited to English. Spanish I can read some and understand a little spoken. Latin I use as a vet scientist. Have sung Italian and German – but can’t speak a word of either.

I’ve not met many (any?) famous people – as far as celebrities or politicians – but scientists and musicians, I’ve met a few.

I’ve always had a knack for working with animals. Something I would like to do better is paint or draw. As far as powers I’d like to have, wouldn’t doing what Spiderman does be cool?

See you on WSU Campus in July!