Welcome to my monthly Woof column, Dallas Voice readers. What a month January was! Unfortunately, things don’t seem like they are going to improve anytime soon. I think many of us across our nation are genuinely concerned for our well-being.
In light of everything that is happening, I have decided to discuss how pets help our LGBTQ community and the importance of having inclusivity at our veterinary care facilities.
Whenever we come home after a rough day, we are always greeted by our furry kiddos, because no matter what and no matter who we are, they love us and they get us.
They don’t judge; they don’t care about labels; they don’t try to erase our existence, and they love us exactly as we are.
For many in our community, pets aren’t just companions; they have literally saved our lives.
On top of that, they can give us a sense of stability in a chaotic world that isn’t always accepting of who we are.
As we all know, our LGBTQ community has higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicide than most of the rest of the communities. We are often dealing with family rejection, discrimination or just the stress of everyday life.
Pets are there to provide us with unconditional love, the kind of non-judgmental love that is healing. They also provide us with structure and a routine, which can be grounding, especially during challenging times. Things as simple as feeding them, walking them and caring for them create a routine that can be vital for some of us.
Scientific research shows that spending time with pets lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and increases oxytocin (feel-good hormone). This can also help many of us with different levels of anxiety. In fact, there are pets that can even be trained to be different types of emotional support partners.
Something as simple as allowing us to connect with other people through our pets as conversation starters can be beneficial. This is especially important for those of us feeling isolated.
The bond between LGBTQ people and our pets is strong, and for some, our pets are part of our chosen family.
Unfortunately, there are many public and private spaces or businesses that do not welcome our community members or even literally reject us. This can unfortunately extend to even our health providers, including veterinary hospitals and clinics.
I will say that I am proud that most of us in the veterinary medical field are welcoming and accepting because we are often considered outcasts within our families for different reasons (which is why we help animals because they always accept us as we are!).
I truly believe inclusivity is extremely important, not only in public spaces, but everywhere we go.
As a veterinarian, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for our LGBTQ pet parents to feel welcomed at my hospital. I remember having a conversation with a client who was “in the closet” and was terrified to come out because they had no one to talk to. But they felt comfortable discussing it with me because of our welcoming environment.
No one should have to worry about being misgendered, judged or feel awkward when they’re just trying to get care for their pet.
An inclusive veterinary experience should respect names and pronouns, allowing the experience to be focused on the pet’s well-being instead of making someone feel uncomfortable because they don’t feel accepted, seen or heard.
There should also be understanding and acceptance of nontraditional family structures, because we all have different life experiences and perspectives. We should also provide a safe zone where every human family member can open up and feel comfortable discussing their concerns about their pets.
Unfortunately, when some of our community members feel discriminated against, it can even lead to them not sharing the concerns they may have about their pets, as they might even be eager to leave an uncomfortable social scenario. A welcoming veterinary clinic or hospital makes a safe space for honest conversations, whether it’s about behavioral issues, financial concerns or just figuring out the best treatment options.
Even little things — like a rainbow flag in the window, a non-discrimination statement on the website or having inclusive bathroom signs — go a long way. They show LGBTQ pet parents that they’re safe and welcome.
I even make sure all of our team members are welcoming of all of our community members and understanding of the fact that we are all different. As long as there is mutual respect and acceptance, we should always find a happy medium and focus on taking care of our furry patients.
If you’re an LGBTQ pet parent, know that you deserve a veterinary medical team who respects and supports you, just like your pet does. You should never be afraid to ask questions before booking an appointment, to make sure they have an inclusive and welcoming practice. Look for hospitals and clinics that openly support inclusivity and check reviews from other LGBTQ pet parents.
And if you do not have an inclusive and welcoming veterinary team, you can always visit my hospital in Addison!
Our kiddos make our lives much better by helping us feel seen and loved. We should expect the same from our medical providers and from everyone around us.
We are living in a time when we must stand up for ourselves — respectfully but confidently — and be vocal about basic values like acceptance, diversity, equality and inclusivity. Yes, these are stressful and uncertain times but let us stay united and visibly defend our rights. Do not let anyone bring us down! We have been fighting for years, and we are not going anywhere.
Hang in there, and, as always, abrazos fuertes!!
Dr. Josh owns Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital, 14380 Marsh Lane, Ste. 110 in Addison. Call him at 972-738-1111 or visit IslaVet.com.