Laurie Wright

Dr. Laurie Wright, DVM

Dr. Laurie Wright, DVM, M.S.

Dr. Wright is a 1977 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  She spent her early years in private practice as a practice owner in southern Indiana. During those years, she developed an interest in behavior medicine, completing a practitioner sabbatical at the Purdue University Animal Behavior Clinic in 2004 and earning a certificate as a training partner with the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior in 2008.

In 2007, Dr. Wright moved to Michigan and accepted a position as shelter veterinarian at a large open-admission municipal shelter in Grand Rapids, MI. During her five years as shelter veterinarian, she worked with animal control to provide forensic investigation support as well as shelter population management, medical and surgical services for the shelter. In 2013, she earned the Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida online program.

Dr. Wright is currently the Program Director for Veterinary Technology for Baker College, Muskegon, MI.  She enjoys teaching and preparing students for careers in veterinary medicine, emphasizing the importance of behavior medicine, shelter medicine and public health. She completed the online Master’s Degree in Shelter Medicine with the University of Florida in 2018.

Dr. Wright is a volunteer with the ASPCA Field Investigation and Response team and has deployed for puppy mill and hoarding cases.

Education

Human-Animal Bond certification 2019

Master of Science in Shelter Medicine, University of Florida 2018

Graduate Certificate Shelter Medicine, University of Florida 2013

Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior Certified Training Partner 2008

DVM Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine 1977

Awards

Golden Key International Honor Society 2017

Program Champion Veterinary Technology Baker College 2016

Distinguished Service Award – Kent County Animal Shelter, Kent County Health Department 2014

Publication/presentations

DEVELOPMENT OF A BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT SCALE TO ASSESS ANXIETY AND APPROACHABILITY IN UNADOPTABLE CATS RESULTS IN INCREASED ADOPTABILITY IN A MUNICIPAL ANIMAL SHELTER

  1. Wrighta, D. Bledsoeb, T. DePorterc , American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Boston, MA 2015

EFFECTS OF HOUSING MODIFICATIONS ON WELFARE OF CATS IN A MUNICIPAL ANIMAL SHELTER

L.K.Wright, American College of Veterinary Behaviorist Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Chicago, IL 2013

Courses Taught:

VME6810: Integrating Veterinary Medicine with Shelter Systems

VME 6814: Principles of Teaching in Animal Shelters

Continuing Education Courses

Euthanasia by Injection (EBI)