Dr. Bettina Darveshi is one of the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s amazing small animal surgeons. Dr. Darveshi joined WSU in 2019 as a small animal surgery resident and has since transitioned into a faculty role split between the Emergent Surgery Service and the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Service. She will be leading the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Service starting January 2025.
Originally from Finland and raised in Belgium, Dr. Darveshi pursued her higher education in the United Kingdom, earning her veterinary degree in Edinburgh and completing small animal rotating and surgery internships before joining WSU. She is now a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and PennHip certified. She also has additional training in laparoscopy and thoracoscopy and brings a wealth of expertise to the hospital.
Outside of her professional life, she is a devoted pet parent to two Newfoundlands, a small mixed-breed dog and a cat, and she enjoys life with her husband, Shaun, and their young daughter, Kaitlyn.
What is your typical day like at the VTH?
On the Emergent:
7-8 a.m. – Check-in on inpatients and their overnight updates, discuss case transfers to our service, overnight updates and today’s plan with the residents/interns. Review and finalize discharges/records for patients going home that day.
8-9 a.m. – Rounds (journal club, case rounds, etc.)
9-10 a.m. – Consultations
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Surgery. In between surgeries perform in-house consults, callbacks to referring veterinarians, evaluate imaging/diagnostics performed during the day, prepare for the next day cases, finalize patient records, etc.
The main difference between Emergent and Orthopedic and Sports Medicine is that Emergent receives cases daily, followed by same-day or next day surgery. Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Service will see consultations for diagnostic imaging work-up on Mondays and Wednesdays, with surgeries Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The “off” day (as well as weekends) are for checking in on inpatients, catching up on paperwork/records from the week, continuing my own research projects and preparing for the next week (current literature review, case records/history review, reviewing imaging, etc.)
What made you want to work in veterinary medicine?
I was heavily involved in Newfoundland breeding, showing and predominantly working (water rescue) since 2003. I trained our dogs to become certified canine lifeguards, traveled the world instructing others in canine lifeguarding work, was involved in creating the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) canine lifeguarding certificate, authored books on the subject, and was focused on improving the working Newfoundland community and breeding population. Through that work, I was interested in the concept of “fit for function” and pursued vet school with a specific interest in learning more about orthopedics and sports medicine. Through my vet school experiences and externships, surgery (rather than sports med/rehab) became a passion: being able to (most often) “fix” problems and get dogs back fit for their function.
Why did you decide to work in academia rather than private practice?
I have always really enjoyed teaching. It is so rewarding to see the “aha moment” of a student understanding a new concept, watching students apply the newly learnt information, oversee residents and interns progress in their skills, and especially being a part of the moment when others succeed in something they haven’t done before (but you know they can do it with your guidance!).
What is your favorite thing about your job?
Seeing our patients leave the hospital in a much better shape, with a better prognosis, than what they came in, and knowing that you have made that happen.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Seeing students, interns and residents learn and progress throughout the year(s). Being able to “fix” conditions, do some things that some say are impossible, and see our patients so comfortable and functional after surgery. And the gratitude clients have after seeing their pets be well again.
What advice would you give to pet owners?
If you think your pet needs to be seen, it probably should be. The earlier a problem can be identified, the more likely we are able to get a positive outcome, and the less extensive the surgery will be. Even if you see the surgery service for an evaluation, we will always provide you with all the possible options (non-surgical management to minimal to extensive surgery) and would never push for a surgery that is not recommended just for the sake of doing surgery. We will also always work with you on choosing the right option that is suitable for you, your pet and your situation. We will never judge – and always remember that the way one chooses may be totally opposite from another family/situation – with both being the right options.
What do you like to do outside of work?
On a day-to-day basis we enjoy taking our dogs to the dog park in the evenings. Kaitlyn is taking most of our focus now, but once a little older we plan on traveling, camping, biking etc. again.