Dr. Kara Self earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University. Her passion for animals began early in life, growing up in a household with seven cats and a dog. After completing her undergraduate studies, she became involved in fostering cats and working closely with feline patients, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact veterinary medicine can have on animals and their families.
A pivotal moment in Dr. Self’s life came during her mother’s successful battle with cancer, which inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to helping others. She made the decision to become a veterinarian. At the time, she already held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish, as well as a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and Administration. To meet veterinary school prerequisites, she completed the necessary science coursework and was subsequently accepted to Washington State University, beginning her veterinary education.
During veterinary school, Dr. Self developed particular interests in veterinary dentistry and geriatric medicine. She spent a significant portion of her clinical rotations in general practice and is committed to fostering strong relationships within the communities she serves.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Self enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, baking, and reading. A longtime vegan, she takes pleasure in creating both sweet and savory treats for friends and family. One of her favorite recent adventures was walking the Camino de Santiago with her husband, traveling from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, during their honeymoon. She has also completed the Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around New York City, while visiting her husband’s family.
Dr. Self shares her home with 11 cats and an 11-year-old Dachshund named Buster. Her beloved Dachshund, Slinky, passed away in May at nearly 15 years of age after battling a meningioma. Caring for Slinky through his senior years further strengthened her passion for geriatric veterinary medicine and the unique needs of aging pets.
Her feline family, listed from oldest to youngest, includes Picasso, Tiesto, Negra, Sylvester, Luna, Sol, Sir Wimpleton of Sunnyside, Wiz Catlifa, Delhi, Langone, and Crusty. Luna and Sol were her first “foster failures”—bottle-fed kittens born with entropion whom she ultimately adopted. Buster is also an accomplished hiking companion, having completed numerous adventures, including a 15-mile trek on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alene.
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