From the CVO: Many communities, one profession

At nearly every veterinary conference or symposium I have the privilege to speak at, a familiar moment unfolds after the lecture ends. The room begins to empty, yet a few people remain near the stage. Someone eventually approaches, pausing thoughtfully before speaking: “Thank you for sharing your story. I needed to hear that.”

Sometimes the person is a veterinary student. Sometimes it is a colleague who has been practicing for many years. Occasionally, it is someone who simply explains that hearing authentic stories from the stage made them feel seen in a way they had not experienced before.

Moments like these serve as a powerful reminder that veterinary medicine is built on community. The profession thrives because colleagues mentor one another, collaborate on complex cases, and provide support during the emotional challenges that accompany caring for animals and the people who love them. Yet within veterinary medicine, another layer of connection continues to shape the profession in meaningful ways. It is the LGBTQ+ community within veterinary medicine.

As Pride Month approaches, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of representation and belonging within the profession. Veterinary medicine ranks among the health care professions with the greatest LGBTQ+ representation. Data suggest that approximately 15% of veterinarians identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.¹ This proportion exceeds estimates within the general US population, where approximately 7.6% of adults identify as LGBTQ.² And it must be even higher to include veterinary professionals (receptionists, technicians, assistants, managers, and other support staff).

Behind these figures are individuals who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and forms of resilience into the profession. Veterinary medicine demands not only clinical expertise but also emotional intelligence. Veterinarians guide clients through deeply personal moments, from celebrating a new puppy to navigating a serious diagnosis to making difficult end-of-life decisions.

Trust sits at the center of these interactions. When pet owners enter a veterinary hospital, they place extraordinary trust in the professionals caring for their animals. Representation within veterinary teams can strengthen that trust. When clients see a profession that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, it signals that veterinary medicine is a place where people from all backgrounds are respected and valued.

Organizations such as the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) have helped build networks that support LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals and allies. PrideVMC has created mentorship programs, professional development initiatives, and community resources that encourage inclusion throughout the veterinary field. Efforts such as these demonstrate how community within the profession continues to evolve, supporting both personal well-being and professional growth.

Despite meaningful progress, challenges remain. Many LGBTQ+ professionals continue to encounter bias or discrimination during their careers.

I recently spoke with a colleague in Los Angeles, California, about the challenges our transgender colleagues experience. They often face the greatest barriers to workplace inclusion. Issues surrounding identity disclosure, appropriate pronoun usage, and institutional policies remain areas where veterinary workplaces continue to learn and adapt. Addressing these concerns is not simply a matter of policy; it reflects the profession’s broader commitment to creating environments grounded in respect and compassion, with safety as the veterinary hospital’s utmost priority.

Representation within veterinary medicine also resonates beyond the profession itself. The bond between people and animals is particularly strong within LGBTQ+ communities. For many individuals, pets provide companionship, emotional support, and stability. Veterinary professionals who recognize the significance of this bond play an essential role in protecting the well-being of both animals and the families who love them.

Throughout my career as an openly gay veterinarian, I have had the privilege of speaking at conferences, delivering keynote presentations, and addressing graduating and undergraduate veterinary students. Increasingly, these conversations extend through educational videos and social media platforms where veterinarians share knowledge and experiences with audiences far beyond the walls of a clinic.

What continues to resonate most deeply are the personal interactions that follow these presentations. Veterinary professionals often approach me to express gratitude not only for the clinical information presented but also for the authenticity of the stories shared alongside it. Many say seeing someone speak openly about identity in veterinary medicine helped them feel more comfortable bringing their full selves into the profession. I recognize and respect the platform I have, both here at dvm360 and in my personal brand, to ensure that kindness and respect are given to all species, both humans and animals, regardless of who they love and who they identify as.

Additionally, those conversations remind me that visibility carries responsibility. When we share our stories openly, we create space for others to recognize that they, too, belong in this profession.

Pet owners express similar sentiments. Messages from viewers of educational videos often highlight appreciation for seeing veterinarians communicate with sincerity and transparency. These responses rarely focus solely on identity. Instead, they speak to something deeper. People recognize authenticity. When veterinary professionals show up as their genuine selves, it strengthens the connection between professionals and the communities they serve.

Empathy lies at the heart of veterinary medicine. We, as veterinary professionals, must navigate complex emotional landscapes while delivering high-quality medical care on a daily basis. We guide families through uncertainty, hope, grief, and healing. Many LGBTQ+ professionals bring perspectives shaped by resilience and self-understanding that can enhance their ability to connect with clients during these moments. My fellow LGBTQ+ peers may not be saying goodbye to their pet but saying goodbye to their child. Having the ability to understand such heavy grief takes an authentic individual to be there for them during those very difficult times.

As the profession continues to evolve, representation will remain an essential component of its future. Veterinary students entering the field today represent one of the most diverse generations in the profession's history. Visibility from mentors and leaders helps ensure that these students see veterinary medicine as a place where they belong and where their voices matter.

Animals do not judge who we love, how we identify, or the paths that shaped our lives. They respond to compassion, presence, and care in ways very similar to how veterinary medicine reflects the same acceptance.

We know our profession has always been defined by compassion, and that compassion extends not only to the animals we treat but also to the colleagues who stand beside us and the communities we serve. Pride Month reminds us that representation matters because it allows people to feel seen, respected, and valued within the profession they love. When veterinary medicine embraces the full diversity of its professionals, it strengthens the relationships we build with one another and with the pet owners who trust us with the care of their animals. Community within a community does not divide the profession but enriches it. It also ensures that the future of veterinary medicine remains as compassionate as the patients who inspire us every day. So do me a favor—be an ally, and be present for my fellow LGBTQ+ colleagues. Your support means more to them than you will ever know.

References

1. Veterinarian demographics and statistics in the US. Zippia. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://www.zippia.com/veterinarian-jobs/demographics/
2. Jones JM. LGBTQ+ identification in U.S. now at 7.6%. Gallup. March 13, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://news.gallup.com/poll/611864/lgbtq-identification.aspx