Pet hospital takes steps to diversify veterinary profession

Photo: Nisit/Adobe Stock

In its mission to diversify and increase the number of veterinarians amid the ongoing shortage of professionals in the veterinary field, Banfield Pet Hospital offers a summer internship, titled NextVet, for aspiring veterinarians. It recently welcomed its 2024 class of interns, which consist of 30 students across the nation.¹

According to the company, NextVet provides students aged 16 and older paid, hands-on experience collaborating with hospital teams nationwide. The internship gives these students the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the veterinary medicine profession. This year, more than 500 applications were received for NextVet, resulting in the careful selection of 30 interns who will apply their passion for animals and eagerness to learn throughout the summer.¹

"As industry leaders, Banfield feels a responsibility to invest in youth-centered programs and initiatives that inspire and create opportunities for the next generation," Alea Harrison, DVM, chief medical officer of Banfield Pet Hospital, and one of only 10% of diverse veterinarians,² said in a news release.¹ "My love for animals started at a young age, but seeing myself represented in veterinary professionals as a student is what made me realize I could turn my passion into a career. I'm endlessly inspired and grateful for our veterinary associates who dedicate their time to engage with youth in their communities to show students interested in STEM what's possible."

One of NextVet’s upcoming Houston, Texas interns, Sarah, was asked about her future goals and the impact she aspires to make throughout her career. "Growing up, I never saw a Latino veterinarian. It inspired me to become one and to increase representation in the field, especially in a diverse city like Houston where Latinos are a significant population,” she said.¹ “I've observed language barriers in underserved areas, which creates challenges between doctors and pet owners. I know it would mean the world to pet owners everywhere to have a veterinarian who speaks their language, understands their culture, and shares their experiences."

According to Banfield, many of its NextVet internship alumni have been successful in their pursuit of a veterinary degree, with many applying and developing skills they learned during the program in their education and early career.

Banfield is also continuing its national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which allows veterinarians and veterinary technicians to engage K-12 students from underrepresented backgrounds through career outreach events, according to the company. Among this year's NextVet interns is Erandy, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs, who will be joining Banfield's Tempe, AZ hospital this summer after learning about the opportunity through Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley's AZYouthforce program.

This initiative expands on the foundation of Banfield Pet Academy, which was launched to inspire future veterinary professionals by connecting them with local veterinary experts. Since its inception, the program has reached 120,000 youth. Additionally, Banfield has made all 3 editions of its Banfield Pet Academy curriculum—designed for elementary, middle, and high school students—available at no cost to the entire industry.

Banfield’s NextVet program and its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of many sprouting steps being taken by organizations to help diversify the veterinary profession. Last month, blendVET hosted an event aimed at helping middle schools students from underrepresented communities learn about the veterinary profession. Earlier this year, the Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation pledged $500,000 in scholarship money to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, a veterinary school that has provided education to more than 70% of Black veterinarians in the United States.³

References

1. Banfield Pet Hospital welcomes 2024 NextVet class as they em-BARK on one-of-a-kind internship. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. June 20, 2024. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/banfield-pet-hospital-welcomes-2024-nextvet-class-as-they-em-bark-on-one-of-a-kind-internship-302178274.html
2. Labor Force Statistics From The Current Population survey. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. January 26, 2024. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.htm
3. Bautista-Alejandre A. Boehringer Ingelheim pledges $500,000 scholarship to help address lack of diversity. dvm360. June 18, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/boehringer-ingelheim-pledges-500-000-scholarship-to-help-address-lack-of-diversity