Identifying personal growth opportunities should facilitate personal satisfaction and lead to a healthier, informed perspective of the world. This journey is one that never ends, much like the journey of being a veterinary professional. Both are a constant journey of learning and adjusting to the challenges we are presented with. Our communities in the profession however are even bigger! They can be geographical communities, professional communities, the team we work on or work with, the individuals who we interact with from the community, and their communities (from physical locations to their Facebook group.)

As we move into understanding the issues in the profession that are felt at the clinical level, we start to feel the squeeze. It can be overwhelming to comprehend the interrelatedness of each component. However, it is integral to understand a few key points:

Together real change can happen. It starts with you and your choices, in your role, at your place of work, in the community that you live in and work with. Then there is a ripple effect.
Things cannot change all at once, so we must start somewhere to affect positive change.
The veterinary profession is overburdened, and the positive impact is often overshadowed by the pains and stressors currently plaguing the industry. We must start at an individual level to grow fulfillment and resilience.
Let’s partner with the communities we are surrounded with; amplify the wisdom and importance of each voice; and conscientiously lift the voices that have been suppressed, oppressed, and repressed.
Before you step out in front of a community, pause, and listen. The community members generally already know what they need, and their voices are invaluable.

Lucas Bratvold notes the importance of learning about a community in the following video.

Veterinary Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion [VetREDI] - Bronze certification

Benefits of Being VetREDI