Pride in Our Profession: Championing Colleagues Who Strengthen Veterinary Medicine
Let’s be honest, vet med is basically a masterclass in controlled chaos. Remember that one case? The one that wasn’t in any textbook, that required every ounce of your team’s brainpower and intuition? We live for those challenges. We thrive on untangling the medical knots that walk, crawl, or are carried through our doors.
But what if the most complex, most critical case we’re responsible for isn’t a patient at all? What if it’s the health of our own team?
This June, as we recognize Pride Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about the human ecosystem within our own four walls. We’re pros at managing the intricate needs of our patients, but building a truly supportive, inclusive environment for all staff, including our LGBTQ+ colleagues, requires that same level of intention and care. And friends, it’s the most rewarding work we can do, because a practice where every single team member thrives is a practice that delivers the best possible care. Many clinics are already doing incredible work to foster this kind of environment, and this piece is here to share insights, reinforce best practices, and inspire further growth for all.
Being an LGBTQ+ individual in any workplace can come with a unique set of stressors, and veterinary medicine is no exception. Studies and stories from organizations like the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA) and PrideVMC highlight the emotional tax of feeling like you must hide a part of who you are, the fear of facing discrimination from clients or colleagues, and the critical importance of psychological safety. When a colleague is spending emotional energy on self-preservation, that is energy they cannot dedicate to patient care, professional growth, or their own well-being in a field already fraught with burnout.
The clinic habitat: more than just a hospital
Think of your clinic as a unique ecosystem. For it to be truly healthy, every single member has to thrive. When one of our LGBTQ+ team members has to wear a kind of emotional armor to work, constantly performing the unseen diagnostic work of gauging who is safe to talk to about their weekend, their partner, or their life—that takes a toll. It’s an energy drain that impacts their well-being, their focus, and their ability to bring that amazing, whole-hearted passion we need to survive in this field.
This commitment to safety also means understanding and respecting personal boundaries. While we strive to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable bringing their whole selves to work, we must never *demand* it. Our role is to build a ‘judgment-free and pressure-free space’ where colleagues feel secure, but never obligated, to share any aspect of their personal lives. Their political affiliations, their gender identities, their medical histories, or their pasts – these are personal choices. True inclusivity means fostering an atmosphere where our colleagues know they are valued and respected for who they are, without any expectation for them to disclose details they wish to keep private.
Vet skills for the win (the human edition)
Our veterinary experience equips us with a valuable set of skills that translate surprisingly well to building a more inclusive clinic culture:
- Observation is Everything: We’re trained to spot the most subtle cues—the slight limp, the ear twitch, the guarded posture that tells us something is wrong. We need to apply that same sharp observation to our team dynamics. Is a colleague quiet in meetings? Do they seem hesitant to join in conversations? These are our clinical signs, and it’s on us to create a space where they feel safe.
- Creating a Fear-Free Zone: We’ve all worked hard to make our exam rooms less terrifying for anxious patients. We use gentle handling, high-value treats, and a calm demeanor. Our clinics need to be emotionally safe environments for our people, too—a place free of judgment, where respect is the baseline for every interaction.
- Empathy in Action: We sit with clients on the best and worst days of their lives. That emotional range gives us a superpower: empathy. We can channel that superpower to understand that a colleague’s need for an inclusive environment isn’t an abstract concept; it’s a fundamental need for safety and belonging, just like the nervous dog that needs a gentle hand.
Using tech to build a better habitat
Building this culture isn’t about rescuing people; it’s about creating an environment where they don’t need rescuing in the first place. At Shepherd, we believe less complexity in your software means more connection in your clinic.
Just as Shepherd streamlines our workflow and untangles our most complex patient cases, it frees up the mental bandwidth for the intricate work of team building. We’re not just saving minutes on medical records. The time and mental energy we gain through efficient clinic technology directly translates to a higher quality of engagement with our team.It is a piece of the puzzle to help us to build a practice that’s not just successful, but truly supportive.
The journey continues
Creating a clinic where everyone, including our incredible LGBTQ+ colleagues, can do their best work is an adventure. It’s a journey filled with learning, listening, and leading with heart. The payoff isn’t just a happier team; it’s better medicine, a stronger business, and a profession we can all be proud of. And that’s a diagnostic challenge worth solving every single day.
About the author
Lauren Jones, VMD, is a veterinarian, practice owner, and industry innovator, and the Director of Veterinary Medicine at Shepherd Veterinary Solutions. A proud University of Pennsylvania graduate, she’s spent her career helping veterinary teams work smarter, not harder. Dr. Jones blends clinical know-how with business savvy to empower veterinarians, streamline operations, and fight burnout. She’s passionate about making technology work for vets, not the other way around, helping practices thrive while delivering top-notch patient care.
