How to Observe Juneteenth as a Veterinary Professional

Juneteenth is often described as America's second Independence Day, commemorating June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued.

For many people, Juneteenth is a day of celebration, community, education, and reflection. For veterinary professionals, it can also be an opportunity to think about the history of our profession, the people who helped shape it, and the work that remains to make veterinary medicine more representative of the communities it serves.

Whether you're a veterinarian, technician, student, practice manager, or support staff member, here are meaningful ways to observe Juneteenth.

Learn About Black Pioneers in Veterinary Medicine

Most veterinary professionals can name famous veterinarians from textbooks and lectures. Far fewer can name the Black pioneers who broke barriers in the profession.

Consider taking time to learn about:

• • Dr. Augustus Nathaniel Lushington, the first Black veterinarian licensed in the United States.

  • Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb, one of the first Black women veterinarians and a former member of the North Carolina General Assembly.

  • Dr. Jane Hinton, one of the first Black women to earn a veterinary degree and co-developer of Mueller-Hinton agar, still used in microbiology laboratories today.

  • Dr. William Waddell, a trailblazing veterinarian who became the first Black member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), helping pave the way for future generations of veterinary professionals.

  • Dr. Michael Q. Bailey was elected President-Elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) on June 21, 2024, becoming the first Black veterinarian elected to that role in the organization's history. He officially assumed the AVMA presidency in July 2025 at the AVMA Convention in Washington, D.C. Almost one hundred years after the first Black veterinarian became a member of the AVMA.

  • Dr. Kyle Jorel Frett, a 2025 graduate of Tuskegee University's College of Veterinary Medicine, made history in 2024 when he was elected SAVMA President-Elect, becoming the first Tuskegee student and first Black male student to hold the national leadership position. His election reflects the growing influence of Black veterinary students and leaders shaping the future of the profession.

Understanding the profession's history helps us better understand its present.

Support Veterinary Students and Future Professionals

Representation often begins with exposure.

Many Black veterinary professionals describe never meeting a veterinarian who looked like them while growing up. If you have the opportunity, consider volunteering with local schools, career fairs, youth organizations, or mentorship programs that introduce students to veterinary careers.

Even a single conversation can help a young person imagine themselves in a profession they may never have considered.

Read Beyond the Headlines

Juneteenth is not only about celebrating freedom; it is also about understanding the historical and ongoing barriers that shape opportunities today.

Take time to read about:

• The history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• The role of Tuskegee University in veterinary medicine

• Current veterinary workforce demographics

• Access to veterinary education

• Mentorship and retention challenges facing underrepresented students

Education is one of the most meaningful ways to honor the day.

Support HBCU Veterinary Programs

Tuskegee University remains the only veterinary school located on the campus of a Historically Black College or University.

Veterinary professionals can support future generations of veterinarians by:

• Donating to scholarship funds

• Supporting student organizations

• Attending fundraising events

• Amplifying student achievements

• Partnering with HBCU programs for externships and mentorship opportunities

Investing in future veterinarians strengthens the entire profession.

Have Honest Conversations

Juneteenth can be an opportunity for veterinary teams to discuss topics that are not always easy to address.

Questions worth exploring include:

• Does our practice reflect the community we serve?

• How can we improve mentorship opportunities?

• What barriers might discourage students from entering veterinary medicine?

• How can we make our workplace more welcoming and inclusive?

These conversations do not need to be perfect. They simply need to happen.

Celebrate Black Excellence in Veterinary Medicine

Juneteenth is also a celebration.

Take time to recognize the accomplishments of Black veterinarians, technicians, researchers, educators, students, and leaders who continue to move the profession forward.

Share their stories. Highlight their achievements. Recommend their work. Support their businesses.

Celebrating excellence is just as important as acknowledging challenges.

Remember That Representation Matters

Veterinary medicine serves an incredibly diverse population of clients and patients. Yet the profession itself remains one of the least racially diverse healthcare fields in the United States.

Representation is about more than statistics. It affects mentorship, access, trust, and the future of the veterinary workforce.

For some families, seeing a veterinarian who looks like them can be a powerful reminder that they belong in the profession too.

A Day for Reflection and Action

Juneteenth is not just a history lesson. It is a reminder that progress requires participation.

For veterinary professionals, observing Juneteenth can be as simple as learning a new piece of history, mentoring a student, supporting an HBCU program, or having a meaningful conversation with colleagues.

The veterinary profession has made progress, but there is still work to do. Juneteenth offers an opportunity to honor those who opened doors, support those walking through them today, and help create a profession that reflects the communities it serves.

At Vet Candy, we celebrate the veterinarians, students, technicians, and leaders whose contributions have strengthened veterinary medicine and continue to inspire the next generation.