06/03/2026
During Pride Month, we honor and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ trailblazers and advocates who have helped shape veterinary medicine and make it a more welcoming and inclusive field.
The history of LGBTQIA+ involvement in veterinary medicine goes back many years. In the late 1970s, veterinarians started coming together to create supportive spaces for connection, paving the way for greater visibility within the profession. Since then, leaders and advocates have continued to progress veterinary medicine through mentoring, education, representation, and making the profession more inclusive.
Pioneers like Dr. Joseph Kinnarney, the first openly gay president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and advocates like Dr. Dane Whitaker, along with many others, have helped create a workplace where people can be their authentic selves.
Today, we celebrate not only those who led the way but also the veterinarians, technicians, social workers, assistants, client care team members, and leaders who continue building a profession founded on compassion, respect, and belonging.
Because caring for others—both people and pets—means making sure everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. ❤️🐾
