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
- 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