An estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an important factor being a critical shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Further, with nearly 90% of veterinary professionals identifying as white, the need to not only increase the number of veterinary professionals but also to diversify the talent pipeline is critical for the industry.

Banfield Pet Hospital recently teamed up with actor and comedian Kenan Thompson to launch a new national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America that encourages high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in veterinary medicine. Plus, Banfield announced its hashtag#NextVet internship, giving 15 high school students across the country an immersive experience, providing insight into what it’s like to work in the veterinary industry.

This is all part of a nearly $10 million commitment to help veterinary professionals realize their full potential while creating accessible pathways for individuals that aspire to follow in their footsteps. Read more here: bit.ly/3m7FZYv

At Banfield, we are constantly evaluating how we can make a lasting impact on pets, people, and society. I am driven by our purpose to make a better world for pets. As leaders, we need to constantly drive our discussions and decisions back to how can we improve the lives and realities of everyone in our care.

Striving to be a beacon for how a company ought to behave comes with a tremendous responsibility. As organizations come together to advocate and make change, meaningful collaborations are essential. I'm very grateful for our recently launched BANDtogether Roundtable and the progress these discussions will support.

Together, we can ensure that we are doing our part to make an impact and elevate societal wellbeing.

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!

With each of us moving quickly to put last year in the rearview, I’m proud that we’re taking time as an organization to truly celebrate solidarity and giving back in a year that felt like one obstacle after another. It’s tough to think of a better day than hashtag#NationalLoveYourPetDay to launch the 2020 Banfield Pet Hospital Corporate Social Responsibility Report and the Banfield Foundation Impact Report!

Both reports tell powerful stories of what’s possible when our associates and teams leverage our size and scale for good. I continue to be deeply grateful for everything we accomplished in 2020 and how we came together to be there for each other and the pets and communities that count on us. As 2021 takes shape, we’re eager to do more to further our societal impact.

When @BanfieldPetHospital was named among Points of Light’s Civic 50 this year, I took some time to reflect on the passion that has made us one of the top community-minded companies in the U.S.