Inclusive Isn’t a Buzzword at VEG — It’s How They Save Lives
Brought to you by PrideVMC Gold Partner – VEG
In emergency veterinary medicine, the work is deeply personal. Pet parents come to VEG ER for Pets during some of their most stressful moments. For our ER doctors, vet nurses, vet assistants, and client support staff, we never know what case is going to come through our doors. There’s a responsibility we hold that takes empathy, trust, and a whole lot of skill to nail the ER care experience—from triage to patient discharge.
For LGBTQIA+ vet med professionals, there can be a layer of complexity to navigate within that interaction. A study published in 2020 by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 45% of LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals have experienced difficulties related to sexual orientation or gender identity in professional or school settings. Challenges can show up—from navigating bias to cultural misunderstanding to misgendering of pronouns. In the stress-inducing situations that come naturally with pet emergencies, a medical professional requires composure, confidence, and the comfort of being yourself in your own skin. That’s why we started our employee resource group, VEG Out Loud.
VEG finds a way to alleviate stressors through our employee resource groups, like VEG Out Loud. Support for DEIB through ERGs can reduce the isolation that members of the LGBTQIA+ community may endure. Knowing there’s a community that understands you and has your back can make a real difference.
According to Diversio.com, the return on investment (ROI) on DEI can and should be measured through SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) objectives and metrics that align with a company’s overall business goals.
VEG Out Loud uses qualitative and quantitative metrics to measure our success. Recent survey results show a clear correlation between the support felt from our ERG and overall support felt from VEG, and we see that membership increases engagement in both individual roles and in the company as a whole. In an ER setting, that’s critical. Seconds matter, and team communication saves pet lives. Psychological safety allows people to speak up quickly. What’s more, 100% of surveyed VEG Out Loud members wish to continue their membership through 2026. This tells us that the look ahead for a year’s worth of advocacy and events strengthens members’ satisfaction and reinforces the support our company demonstrates by standing behind our ERG.
VEG Out Loud provides a forum for open conversations, education, and advocacy to help shape a more inclusive workplace. When people feel heard and respected, they’re more confident speaking up, sharing ideas, and growing in their roles. A sense of belonging isn’t just a feel-good measure; it helps you become the person you aspire to be, professionally and personally. In our experience, when our teams feel supported and safe, they can fully focus on the VEG Mission: helping people and their pets when they need it most. 
Our ERG works to ensure that our members feel just as cared for, supported, and seen as the pets and families they serve. VEG Out Loud creates a space where employees’ lived experiences are valued, not sidelined. We address common problems head-on, such as the emotional and physical burnout prevalent in veterinary medicine. Our group meets quarterly via Zoom, holds discussion panels as well as fun, informative events. Since VEG is a 24-hour hospital company, we’ve scheduled some events in the evening for VEG Out Loud members who work the night shift or are on different time zones. This extra step ensures we’re meeting our members where they are.
We know we’re living in challenging times, and ERGs like VEG Out Loud provide strength through storms and shared joy in every realized goal. Inclusion isn’t a side initiative at VEG. It’s part of how we show up—for our people, our patients, and the pet parents who trust us in their hardest moments.
It’s also how we show up for our partners, like PrideVMC. Knowing they have a very real commitment to all veterinary professionals in the community strengthens our progress and resilience. As the veterinary industry continues to evolve, we believe inclusive communities aren’t optional — they’re foundational to delivering high-quality emergency care.
