Juneteenth and Advancing Racial Equity in Veterinary Medicine

Happy Freedom Day!

In celebration of Black resilience and joy, as well as recognition of our collective responsibility to address systemic barriers to inclusion in our profession, the AEC team invites our community to learn more about the history of Juneteenth and what we can do to help advance racial equity and remove barriers to inclusivity in the work we love.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is the oldest national celebration which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is also known by names including: Jubilee, Black Independence Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and its official title as the 11th U.S. Federal Holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day. Though it is our most recent federal holiday, officially recognized in 2021, Juneteenth celebrations are nothing new. Americans have been celebrating the end of slavery since the 1860s and in many parts of the United States, Juneteenth has been legally recognized on a state level for decades.

The stain of chattel slavery will exist forever on the history of the United States and it is important to understand that slavery and slavery-adjacent conditions continued beyond Galveston and the symbol of June 19th, 1865. The far-reaching impact on the lives of generations of Black Americans still remains undeniable in June 2026, over 160 years later. Juneteenth is a celebration of African-American culture, resilience, and joy, as well as a time to reflect on both the history and the future of our nation.

Impact on the veterinary medicine

Veterinary medicine is one of the most occupationally segregated professions in the United States of America on the basis of race. Though gender representation in the profession has radically shifted over the last 50 years and it boasts a higher than average representation of LGBTQ+ individuals, significant racial inequity persists. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests between 88% and 92% of veterinarians are white, a number significantly higher than the average representation of white Americans in the workforce. Only 1-2% of American veterinarians are Black. 

While representation is only one consideration of many when looking at parity and equity, the importance of representation in professional leadership is undeniable: it is hard to imagine possibilities for ourselves that we cannot see in the world, especially when we are young. The veterinary medical field struggles with diverse representation at all levels of the profession, including paraveterinary workers. Lack of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging hinders the advancement of veterinary science and creates barriers to care access for many pet owners.

How to help advance racial equity in veterinary medicine

Learn the truth, tell the truth

Our nation’s history is important to the lives of all Americans, but the occupational impact of systemic racism is of particular relevance to those of us who work in the veterinary medical field. Veterinary professionals recognize the importance of identifying an injury or illness in the process of seeking to ameliorate it. It is vital that we readily name and acknowledge the reality of racial inequity in veterinary medicine as we work to change it. We cannot hope to heal what we cannot see or speak about.

Support, Uplift, Advocate

Animal Emergency Care is a 24-hour emergency hospital and our facility is open on all federal holidays. AEC donates a percentage of our total Juneteenth labor expenses (equivalent to a holiday differential) to an organization advancing equity for Black veterinary professionals in our industry, such as the National Association for Black Veterinarians (NABV). AEC is grateful for the opportunity to materially contribute to the NABV in its mission to celebrate the achievements of Black veterinarians, create a pathway for Black students entering veterinary medicine, and foster advocacy, community, and support at every level of the profession.

Last year, our team connected with Dr. Annie J. Daniel, PhD, founder of the NABV, as well as Founder and CEO of iHELP- the Institute for Healthcare Education Leadership and Professionals. Dr. Daniel graciously collaborated with us to determine how to best support the organization’s important work beyond our planned holiday donation. This year, Animal Emergency Care is proud to be a sponsor of the 2026 NABV Conference and Scholarship Gala, an educational conference by and for Black veterinary professionals and students.