To Improve the Lives of Pets, We Must Support the Veterinary Professionals Who Care for Them

When my career evolved from practicing veterinarian to leader within the veterinary profession, my day-to-day interactions evolved, too. As I took on new roles, conversations with pet owners about the needs of their pets gave way to conversations with veterinary teams about their own needs. In short, my focus shifted from caring for pets to supporting the people who care for pets.?It's been a rewarding change, and a responsibility I take very seriously.

During my ongoing discussions with Associates, some of the comments and concerns I hear align with the experiences I had while working in a hospital. Other times, my eyes have been opened to the different ways people are impacted by the circumstances they face in their day-to-day jobs. But one thing is crystal clear; Delivering meaningful support to veterinary professionals has never been more important. And it's up to veterinary leaders to listen to the people on the front lines and step up to facilitate long overdue change.?

All industries face their share of struggles as they attempt to grow and adapt with the times, but the challenges confronting the veterinary profession today are especially profound. Issues including lack of diversity, student debt and mental health have contributed to a shortage of veterinary professionals at a time when pet ownership—and thus the need for pet health care—is on the rise. Research from Banfield Pet Hospital found that if this talent shortage continues, by 2030 an estimated 75 million pets may not have access to the veterinary care they need. This is a crisis for pets, and it is a crisis for veterinary professionals who are already stretched thin and grappling with how to do their jobs while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

How we face this crossroads will impact the profession for generations to come. And while there is no quick fix, Mars Veterinary Health, with input from our Associates, is making investments to the tune of $500 million by 2025 to improve the lives of our people (current and future) and keep them in fulfilling careers doing what they do best: caring for the pets we all love.

Advancing Career Growth

I'm?a big proponent of lifelong education and career development—and believe people who are encouraged and supported in their professional journeys will enjoy long, rewarding careers.?

At MVH, we invest in programs that foster access to continuous education and career progression, such as partnerships with InStride and Penn Foster, while also partnering with Appalachian State University to develop a four-year program for Licensed Veterinary Technicians. We’re also focused on creating structured career pathways, including skill and job leveling, and offer continuing education (CE) funds to our clinical staff to support them in pursuing learning and development opportunities. MVH is also a member and supporter of the Veterinary Innovation Council, helping drive forward improvements in veterinary technician education and supporting the concept of a new master’s level degree for veterinary technicians. We believe this new educational pathway will unlock additional career and growth opportunities for these valued members of the hospital team.

Student Debt Relief?

As those of us in this profession know all too well, veterinarians experience some of the highest levels of student debt in the country. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates the average debt of veterinary graduates to be around $150,000, while some carry debt loads over $400,000.?

It’s essential that the veterinary profession raises the bar when it comes to student loan support. At MVH, in addition to investing hundreds of millions in increased wages and benefits by 2025, we are working to make a dent through initiatives like Banfield’s Veterinary Student Debt Relief Program, which includes monthly student loan contributions for full-time veterinarians and a low-interest refinancing option for all Associates.

We are also partnering with Appalachian State University to develop a 4-year program for Licensed Veterinary Technicians, and teamed up with Banfield, Royal Canin and the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (the only HBCU with a DVM curriculum) to launch the Banfield & Royal Canin Student Support Fund with an initial $125,000 gift to help Tuskegee veterinary students with financial need.?

Promoting Workforce Diversity

The veterinary industry is one of the least diverse today, with an estimated 90% of veterinarians in the U.S. identifying as White. Diversity of experiences and perspectives is critical to providing quality pet care in all the communities we serve and will lead to a better, stronger profession. Although we acknowledge it will be a long road, we are working to strengthen the pipeline of diverse veterinary professionals across the profession in several ways.

MVH is a founding member of the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition (DVMC)—a group of industry leaders dedicated to addressing issues of diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine—and are in the process of building partnerships with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund through the Coalition. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with Pre-Vet, Animal Science and related programs to support students who are interested in growing their career in the profession.?

As a member of our MVH Senior Leadership Team, I’m also proud to share that we’re committing to 100% gender-balanced senior teams across MVH by 2025.?

Driving Transformational Change

Across MVH, our investments are intended to create a positive impact in the careers and lives of our people. While there is more work to be done, and we are still early in our journey, I, along with my fellow Mars Veterinary Health leaders, remain committed to partnering profession-wide to support the health and wellbeing of our Associates and the future of the veterinary profession as a whole.?