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.

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.

When I joined Banfield Pet Hospital I made it a priority to meet and listen to as many of our associates as possible. In my first six months alone, I visited 140 hospitals. And while I continue to spend time in our hospitals whenever I can, I also make it a priority to use social media to share, listen and engage with thousands of our associates daily on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

To lead a company into the future, we first have to examine the past. So as 2018 draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the changes our practice has made this year. We have big ideas about how we want to help advance pet care, associate health and societal wellbeing. I’m excited to share how we took action on some of those ideas this past year. I also get inspired by what others are doing, so I’d love to hear about some of your own ideas you put into action in 2018.

At the Veterinary Innovation Summit last weekend, we unveiled the groundbreaking, data-driven Pet Insight Project with the goal of giving pet owners a tool to play an even more active role in their pet’s health and wellbeing. Read more about how we’re aiming to disrupt the future of pet health.