Creating a culture of belonging requires us, as leaders, to not only listen to the individuals in our community but take timely, actionable steps towards positive change.

The power of advocacy and action can be seen in the exceptional work of Banfield’s PRIDE Diversity Resource Group, a team of leaders who are unwavering in their dedication to making Banfield an increasingly inclusive, equitable, and welcoming workplace for all. Their work has been incredibly impactful for our community, and an inspiration to us all!

Happy Pride, everyone!

2020 has provided a necessary shift in perspective and encouraged us all to be more thoughtful, kind, and unified. As we reach the finish line of this particularly challenging year, looking forward to Banfield’s future is a great source of inspiration and hope.

As a leader, I am deeply grateful to the people who helped keep Banfield moving forward despite all obstacles: our associates. We are more committed than ever to continue investing in our associates through Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity initiatives; educational opportunities; an emphasis on health and wellbeing; and increases in wages and benefits.

Together with our associates, we are ramping up our focus on innovating and personalizing the experience of our clients in 2021. I’m confident this will allow us to move closer to achieving our purpose, creating hashtag#ABetterWorldForPets.

Over the course of this challenging –– and at times heartbreaking –– year we have all been given the opportunity to reflect upon our impact on one another, our communities, and society. Banfield's annual Pet Healthcare Industry Summit is no exception. Our industry is currently facing two significant crises: the potential of a massive shortage in veterinary care providers by 2030, and the disappointing reality that our profession is one of the least diverse healthcare industries in the United States. Now is the time for leadership and action.

Today, as this year's virtual Pet Healthcare Industry Summit begins, I'm grateful to outline the new commitments from Banfield, our partners, and organizations across our profession. Through this unity, we can create substantive change, and continue to build on that positive momentum to impact society.

As we wrap up our first ever practice wide Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity Week, I am grateful to all our associates, teams and leaders for their engagement throughout this “binclusive” week’s programming.

This continued commitment to being actionable allies will ensure that our activism will generate the momentum our society needs for lasting change. The role we play as individuals, and our collective efforts, will help us ensure that there is no place in veterinary medicine, and society, for racism or discrimination of any kind.