The Missing Piece in Veterinary Wellbeing: Why DEIB Matters More Than Ever
The veterinary profession has made great strides in supporting the wellbeing of its professionals. In recent years, there’s been a welcome rise in discussions around burnout, work-life balance, and mental health. But one critical area that often gets overlooked is how DEIB—diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging—intersects with wellbeing.
It’s no secret that veterinary medicine is one of the least diverse professions in healthcare. In fact, in 2013, The Atlantic named veterinary medicine the “whitest profession in America.” Despite making strides in gender representation—veterinary medicine is now a female-majority field—the profession remains overwhelmingly white. In 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 93.3% of veterinarians were white. Only 5.6% were Asian, 4.7% Hispanic/Latinx, and 1.2% Black. The veterinary student population reflects these same statistics, with similar underrepresentation of BIPOC, male, and first-generation students.
This lack of diversity isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the experience of being in a space where you don’t feel seen, heard, or valued. And that has a significant impact on wellbeing.
Acknowledging the Current Climate Around DEIB
In recent years, the term DEIB has become politicized, particularly in the United States. Many once viewed DEIB as essential for fairness and representation, but now some treat it with skepticism or hostility. These cultural tensions are important to acknowledge. But DEIB is not about ideology—it’s about human dignity, workplace wellbeing, and professional excellence. In veterinary medicine, that means creating environments where all team members feel safe and supported, and where clients from all walks of life can access respectful, culturally competent care. This work is not political—it’s personal, practical, and vital for the future of the profession.
The Hidden Toll of Exclusion
Veterinary practice is a multigenerational, multidisciplinary workplace with Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z working side-by-side to care for animals and the people who love them. Despite the wide range of ages and experiences, veterinary medicine remains one of the least inclusive medical professions.
For those who are underrepresented—whether due to race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, or socioeconomic background—being part of the veterinary profession can mean constantly navigating microaggressions, isolation, and a lack of mentorship. The 2020 video A Profession in Crisis: Discrimination in Veterinary Medicine captured this reality in stark detail. Veterinary students and professionals of color shared stories of being misidentified, overlooked, or stereotyped: a Latinx veterinarian mistaken for a technician, or a Black student told they were “so articulate” as if it were a surprise. People often dismiss these experiences as minor slights. But over time, they damage confidence, increase stress, and erode one’s sense of belonging.
It’s worth stating clearly: wellbeing and belonging go hand-in-hand.
When individuals feel psychologically safe, respected, and valued for who they are, their wellbeing improves. Conversely, when people work in environments where they feel excluded, unseen, or discriminated against, stress levels rise, mental health declines, and burnout becomes more likely. A veterinary team cannot be truly well if its members are silently suffering due to lack of inclusion.
The Bigger Picture: Changing Demographics and Growing Needs
Veterinary medicine does not exist in a vacuum. It is deeply intertwined with human communities and public health. As populations in developed countries evolve, the demographics of pet owners are changing too. The United States is projected to undergo a major demographic shift over the next few decades. The Asian population is expected to grow by 79% and the Hispanic/Latinx population is set to double by 2050. In contrast, the non-Hispanic white population is projected to decline by 6%.
This demographic transformation means that veterinarians must be equipped to serve a much more diverse clientele—one with varied cultural values, communication preferences, and expectations around care. Yet, the veterinary workforce does not reflect this diversity.
To meet the needs of today’s (and tomorrow’s) clients, veterinary medicine needs more than just “cultural competence.” It needs cultural humility, inclusive policies, and a workforce that mirrors the communities it serves. That starts with representation.
Barriers to Entering the Profession
Despite increased awareness, barriers to entry persist at multiple levels. The pipeline into veterinary medicine is leaky. Students from underrepresented groups may not see themselves reflected in the profession. Others may lack academic preparation due to inequities in K-12 education, face financial barriers, or be unaware that a career in veterinary medicine is even an option. Even among those who do enter STEM fields, there is a significant drop-off at higher levels of education. Between 2011 and 2020, underrepresented minorities earned an increasing number of associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering, but the growth was minimal at the doctoral level—moving from just 13% to 16%.
Veterinary schools can’t rely on the same narrow pipeline of applicants and expect different results. The profession needs diverse and sustainable recruitment and retention strategies across the entire K–20 spectrum. This includes outreach to elementary and high school students, mentoring programs, financial support, and inclusive curricula that reflect a broad range of identities and experiences. Initiatives like blendVET’s Youth Pathways program are making a meaningful impact by exposing students from historically excluded backgrounds to veterinary careers early on, helping to broaden the pipeline into the profession.
The Impact on Animal Health
DEIB isn’t just about people—it affects the animals we care for, too. In food animal medicine, communication gaps between predominantly white veterinarians and a largely Black, Latinx, and immigrant workforce can lead to misunderstanding and compromised care. In companion animal medicine, clients from underrepresented backgrounds may not receive the same level of communication, support, or treatment options due to assumptions about their socioeconomic status or education level.
When clients don’t feel welcomed or understood by their veterinary team, they may delay or avoid care altogether. That’s a health equity issue.
We often talk about veterinary wellbeing in terms of compassion fatigue, long hours, and mental health challenges—and rightly so. But we must also acknowledge that systemic inequities and lack of representation create added burdens for many veterinary professionals and clients.
What’s Being Done—and What More Can Be
Efforts to increase diversity in veterinary medicine date back to the 1970s. In 2005, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) launched the DiVersity Matters initiative to tackle these issues head-on. More recently, in 2021, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education updated its accreditation standards to include cultural competency and the integration of DEIB principles into veterinary curricula.
These changes show promise, but they’re just the beginning.
Creating a culture of inclusion and belonging takes more than policy updates—it requires continuous education, leadership buy-in, and a willingness to listen and adapt. It also requires looking beyond numbers to the lived experiences of students, staff, and professionals.
Building a Profession Where Everyone Can Thrive
If we truly care about wellbeing in veterinary medicine, we need to expand our definition to include psychological safety, representation, and equitable access. Because it’s not just about who can handle the workload or manage their stress—it’s about who gets to be here in the first place. And once they’re here, who gets to stay, thrive, and lead.
Belonging isn’t a warm and fuzzy add-on—it’s the foundation of a resilient, healthy, and compassionate workforce. By embracing DEIB as a core component of veterinary wellbeing, we not only create a better profession for ourselves—we create better care for our clients, our communities, and the animals we serve.