The AAEP board of directors in July 2020 created the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force to guide the association in successfully assessing and addressing the barriers to inclusion that exist within equine practice, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and disability. 

 

NEW (3/20/21):

AAEP Response to Violence Against the Asian American & Pacific Islander Communities

The American Association of Equine Practitioners unreservedly denounces the racism and violence committed against Asian Americans. We steadfastly stand with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and commit to supporting our members, who deserve to feel safe and respected. The AAEP is guided by its recognition of the inherent values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and created a task force to lead our efforts to promote mutual respect for all within the equine veterinary community, while recognizing the importance of embracing and valuing different backgrounds, attributes and lived experiences of those from diverse communities.

The AAEP’s Position on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Equine Practice states:

The AAEP recognizes the historical lack of diversity within the equine veterinary profession and the importance of representation, inclusion and mutual respect for our members and stakeholders to thrive. The AAEP commits to creating permanent structural change by providing education, resources and mechanisms for continual evolution of our leadership and membership to accurately reflect the society in which we live. The AAEP will lead the industry in facilitating improvements in representation, safety, respect, inclusion and equity to best serve equine industry communities of all backgrounds, identities and lived experience.

 

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DEI Task Force Members 

Dr. Rachel Cezar-Martinez – Live Animal Imports Director for USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services, Faulkner, MD. Dr. Betsy Charles – Executive Director of the Veterinary Leadership Institute and CEO of RadiologyRules, Murietta, CA.    Dr. Liara Gonzalez – Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology & Equine Surgery, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC. Dr. Eleanor Green – Senior Advisor & Consultant, The Animal Policy Group, Millsap, TX. Dr. Aja Harvey – Associate Veterinarian, B.W. Furlong & Associates, Oldwick, NJ. Dr. Rustin Moore – Dean, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH. Dr. Jean-Yin Tan – Senior Instructor, Equine Clinical Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Among the Task Force's first acts was the development of a position statement affirming the association's commitment to fostering inclusion in equine veterinary medicine. The following position statement was approved by the AAEP board in February 2021.

AAEP Position on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Equine Practice

The AAEP recognizes the historical lack of diversity within the equine veterinary profession and the importance of representation, inclusion, and mutual respect for our members and stakeholders to thrive. The AAEP commits to creating permanent structural change by providing education, resources, and mechanisms for continual evolution of our leadership and membership to accurately reflect the society in which we live. The AAEP will lead the industry in facilitating improvements in representation, safety, respect, inclusion, and equity to best serve equine industry communities of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

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In addition, the Task Force developed Values, Vision and Mission statements to guide their work as a group as well as the association's long-term efforts.

Values Statement

The AAEP is guided by its recognition of the inherent value of diversity, inclusion, safety, and mutual respect. We intend to lead and model equitable practices at all levels within our community so our members, internal constituents, and external stakeholders can achieve and sustain career satisfaction and excellence.

Vision Statement

The AAEP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force will lead the AAEP's efforts to promote mutual respect for all within the equine veterinary community. We will provide AAEP members with information and resources to better understand and recognize the value and experiences of those belonging to diverse communities. We will ensure that there is continuous evolution of AAEP leadership and membership to accurately reflect society and facilitate improvements that best serve equine industry communities of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. 

Mission Statement

The AAEP Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force's purpose is to recruit, advocate for, protect, and support all AAEP members who have experienced inequities and exclusion in the equine veterinary profession as a result of discrimination and oppression. We will make recommendations to the Board with the goal of educating the membership and creating permanent structural change to facilitate continual improvements in representation, safety, respect, inclusion, and equity.