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Building a Diversified Veterinary Team: The Role of Diverse Staffing in Animal Care

Roo Team
June 9, 2025
Animal Hospitals

Working in a veterinary hospital means caring deeply for both animals and the people who love them. Each day brings new opportunities to make a difference, whether it’s comforting a worried pet owner, supporting a colleague, or helping an animal heal. Building a team with a rich mix of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences is essential for delivering the best care and creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through your doors.

Why diversity in Veterinary teams is more than a buzzword

Let’s get real, the U.S. veterinary field has a diversity problem. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 91% of DVMs are white, and underrepresented groups are, well, still underrepresented. But here’s the thing: your client base is changing fast. More pet parents come from multicultural backgrounds than ever before, and they want to see themselves reflected in the people caring for their fur (or feather, or scale) babies.

When your team brings a mix of perspectives, cultures, and life experiences to the table, you’re better equipped to understand and serve every client who walks through your doors. That’s not just good for business; it’s good for the animals too.

The real impact of staff diversity on animal care

Diversity isn’t just about checking boxes or filling quotas. Here’s what a truly diverse Veterinary team brings to the table:

  • Stronger patient care: Different backgrounds mean different ways of thinking and that leads to better problem-solving, more creative treatment plans, and a team that can spot issues others might miss.
  • Better client relationships: Clients are more likely to trust you and follow your advice if they feel understood and represented. That’s especially true for communities that have felt left out or misunderstood in the past.
  • A happier, healthier team: When everyone feels like they belong, morale goes up, burnout goes down, and you’re less likely to lose great people to other clinics (or other careers).

It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about building a culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard. That’s the kind of place where people want to work and where clients want to bring their pets.

What does diversity in Veterinary care really look like?

Let’s clear something up: diversity in Veterinary care isn’t just about race or ethnicity. It’s about bringing together people of different ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and even different ways of thinking. When you build a team that reflects the real world, not just the vet school pipeline, you get a richer mix of ideas, skills, and perspectives.

The not-so-secret challenges (and how to tackle them)

Let’s not sugarcoat it, building a diverse team in veterinary medicine isn’t always easy. The pipeline of underrepresented candidates is still too narrow. But with a little creativity and a lot of heart, you can make real progress.

How to build a more diverse veterinary team

Ready to make your hospital more welcoming, inclusive, and downright awesome? Here’s where to start:

1. Cast a wider net when hiring

  • Don’t just post jobs in the same old places. Reach out to affinity groups, diverse professional organizations, and veterinary schools with strong support for underrepresented students.
  • Use structured interviews and diverse hiring panels to minimize bias and keep things fair for everyone.
  • Check out our Hospital resources from Roo for practical tools and tips.

2. Make your workplace culture inclusive

  • Set clear expectations for respect, inclusion, and zero tolerance for discrimination.
  • Encourage open conversations about differences and listen when team members share their experiences.
  • Celebrate cultural events, holidays, and milestones together (bonus points if there’s cake).

3. Invest in professional growth for everyone

  • Offer mentorship programs that pair new hires with experienced team members from all backgrounds.
  • Give everyone access to continuing education and encourage participation in free CE events.
  • Make sure everyone has a shot at leadership roles, not just the usual suspects.

4. Keep the conversation going

  • Regularly check in with your team about how they’re feeling and what could be better.
  • Use anonymous surveys to get honest feedback and actually act on what you learn.
  • Share your progress with the team, and celebrate wins (big or small) along the way.

5. Show clients you care about diversity, too

  • Make your commitment to diversity visible in your lobby, on your website, and in your community outreach.
  • Offer materials and services in multiple languages if your community needs it.
  • Partner with local organizations that support underrepresented pet owners and invite them to events at your Hospital.

Diversity in action: How it changes the game for Hospitals

When you put these ideas into practice, you’ll notice a shift, not just in your team, but in your whole hospital vibe. Here’s what happens:

  • Clients feel more comfortable and loyal. They’re more likely to follow your recommendations and come back for future visits.
  • Team members are more engaged, creative, and willing to go the extra mile for each other and for your patients.
  • Your hospital becomes a magnet for great talent, because people want to work where they feel seen and valued.

And let’s be honest in a field where burnout and turnover are all too common, building a team that feels like family is a game changer.

How to keep the momentum going

Building a diverse team isn’t a one-and-done project. Here’s how to keep moving forward:

  • Make diversity and inclusion part of your hospital’s mission, not just a side project.
  • Keep learning and growing. Attend events, read up on best practices, and stay connected with organizations leading the way (like AVMA and AAVMC).
  • Recognize and reward team members who champion diversity and encourage others to do the same.

Ready to hop into action? Roo’s got your back

At Roo, we know that building a diverse veterinary team isn’t just good for business, it’s the right thing to do. We’re here to support hospitals with resources, tools, and a community that values every member of the team. Whether you’re looking for Hospital Resources, want to boost revenue with relief, or need relief tools and best practices, you’ll find what you need to build a team.

Want to see how other Hospitals are making it work? Check out our success stories for inspiration, and maybe a few ideas you can borrow (no judgment).

If you’re ready to build a Veterinary team that’s as dynamic and diverse as the animals you treat, Roo is here to help you hop to it. For more resources, ideas, and a community that gets it, visit Roo or connect with us on LinkedIn.

FAQs: Quick answers for busy Hospital managers

1. Why is diversity important in Veterinary staffing?
Answer : Diversity brings new perspectives, better problem-solving, and helps you connect with a wider range of clients which means better care for animals and happier teams.

2. How can practices promote diversity among staff?

Answer : These are the practices promote diversity among staff

  • Widen your recruitment efforts
  • Offer mentorship and professional growth opportunities
  • Foster an inclusive, open workplace culture

3. What are the benefits of a diverse Veterinary team?
Answer : A diverse team is more creative, adaptable, and able to serve a broader community, plus, it just makes work more fun.

4. What are some first steps for making your Hospital more inclusive?
Answer : Start by listening to your team, updating your hiring practices, and making diversity part of your mission.

5. How does staff diversity impact client relationships?
Answer : Clients are more likely to trust, return to, and recommend your Hospital when they see themselves reflected in your team.

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