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.

My first year as president of Banfield Pet Hospital offered powerful examples of our capacity to positively impact the lives of people and pets in every community we serve. Join me in celebrating just a few of our collective successes from 2017.

Before we learn to talk, we learn to listen. From then on, the real skill is knowing when to do each.