We were very excited to see Tacoma Equine Hospital's Dr. Ann Lynch featured last week for #PrideMonth on the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)'s page! Check out what they had to say:
The AAEP commemorates #PrideMonth because we strive to see everyone from all walks of life and experiences find a place in equine practice where they feel comfortable, can thrive, and be their authentic selves every day. It is in this spirit that we are honored to share the story of AAEP member Dr. Ann Lynch.
A native of central Virginia’s horse country and an avid equestrian, Dr. Lynch entered the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine laser-focused on becoming an equine ambulatory veterinarian. Now an associate at Tacoma Equine Hospital in Washington state, her passion for equine practice has been affirmed by the diverse caseload, the required creativity of ambulatory care, and, of course, the horses.
But Dr. Lynch initially struggled to find a practice where she felt like she fit in. “Frustrated and beginning to doubt my fitness for the equine industry, I started externing at clinics in the Pacific Northwest, and I knew right away that I had found my people. I was fortunate to be offered an internship and then an associate position in this part of the country, and I have no plans to leave.”
Tacoma Equine’s inclusive culture is one which Dr. Lynch believes other practices can follow, such as supporting a vet who wants to be out to their clients, and making sure the annual holiday party includes invitations for everyone’s significant other.
“When I started as an associate, my practice manager asked me to write a short bio for our website. I asked if mentioning my female partner was okay, and she responded, ‘if someone has a problem with that, we don’t want them as clients.’ Sometimes the smallest actions have the most impact.
“I believe that creating a culture of belonging is critical for attracting and retaining new equine veterinarians in clinical practice. When we model belonging and inclusion, we demonstrate that everyone is safe to be themselves. When you don’t have to worry about hiding who you are at work, you can spend much more energy learning, growing, and generally becoming the best veterinarian you can be.”
Beautifully said. Thank you, Dr. Lynch!
If you or your practice want to learn more about creating an inclusive culture, we recommend exploring the AVMA’s excellent Journey for Teams educational modules: https://buff.ly/4ctz4S6
Photo credit: April Panpipat
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