Welcome back to yet another week of our Culture and Diversity Celebration!
This week will be a bit more of a mix of content, but will have a particular focus on the influence that culture has on animals and in veterinary medicine.
Different cultures see and treat animals differently, and animals hold different levels of importance within different cultures.
It is important as a vet to understand the culture and perception of animals to better understand how best to treat them, and to work with the people who care for them.
This week will be a bit more of a mix of content, but will have a particular focus on the influence that culture has on animals and in veterinary medicine.
Different cultures see and treat animals differently, and animals hold different levels of importance within different cultures.
It is important as a vet to understand the culture and perception of animals to better understand how best to treat them, and to work with the people who care for them.
Talk About It Tuesday
What better way to kick of “Talk About it Tuesday” than with a Podcast! This podcast is helping to shed light on how diversity and inclusion can and should be improved within the veterinary profession! Have a listen, think about it, talk about it!
“If a profession limits itself to only including a certain group of people, then the problem with that is you get a limited number of ideas and perspectives and values. And over time, you know, you’ve kind of doomed yourself to becoming stagnant and halting your own growth”
https://www.spreaker.com/user/avma/54-sean-gadson-final?fbclid=IwAR1AWXtCgg50S3-EE6KqRRBxFEEmXXR0uG3hvF2IyF5snJri_haCgv4ea0s
“If a profession limits itself to only including a certain group of people, then the problem with that is you get a limited number of ideas and perspectives and values. And over time, you know, you’ve kind of doomed yourself to becoming stagnant and halting your own growth”
https://www.spreaker.com/user/avma/54-sean-gadson-final?fbclid=IwAR1AWXtCgg50S3-EE6KqRRBxFEEmXXR0uG3hvF2IyF5snJri_haCgv4ea0s
As members of the veterinary community, we all have a responsibility to make it the best it can be, and continue to grow. One of the best ways we can do this is by educating ourselves, and taking time to understand our own biases and privilege, and face our faults.
The University of Glasgow Diversity and Inclusion Team is working hard to help us all educate ourselves:
“The School of Veterinary Medicine is committed to promoting equal rights and opportunities, supporting diversity and inclusion and creating an open and inclusive environment for all of staff and students.”
If you haven’t seen their Moodle page yet, you need to check it out, ask questions, get involved, talk about it!
https://www.vettimes.co.uk/lack-of-diversity-in-the-veterinary-profession-is-everyones-problem/?fbclid=IwAR3_8Lc-5qi4vb-sPG80PUITQ7LY4W4kYYVkPncS4aoa3MlsFXy5WYfCPP0
The University of Glasgow Diversity and Inclusion Team is working hard to help us all educate ourselves:
“The School of Veterinary Medicine is committed to promoting equal rights and opportunities, supporting diversity and inclusion and creating an open and inclusive environment for all of staff and students.”
If you haven’t seen their Moodle page yet, you need to check it out, ask questions, get involved, talk about it!
https://www.vettimes.co.uk/lack-of-diversity-in-the-veterinary-profession-is-everyones-problem/?fbclid=IwAR3_8Lc-5qi4vb-sPG80PUITQ7LY4W4kYYVkPncS4aoa3MlsFXy5WYfCPP0
Worldwide Wednesday
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Different cultures around the world value animals in different ways. From the perspective of a veterinarian the anatomy is always the same, but the treatment can vary greatly depending on the culture you live in. To be better vets, it is important to understand the culture an animal comes from, and their significance to the people that take care of them. Throughout “World Wide Wednesday” we will be exploring the significance of different animals in different cultures! We hope this is an opportunity to open your mind and try to understand animals from a different perspective. To start, we will journey to China, where birds play a vital role in the livelihoods of these fisherman. How important do you think these birds are to them? |
In vet school we spend a lot of time learning about the dairy cow industry and the role it plays in our culture. However, when we venture out into the world, we realize there are more animals to milk than just cows! Our next stop is Dubai, where we will learn about milking camels, and their importance in the culture!
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Next we will journey to Indonesia to a rice-fish farm. What started as a fairly simple rice farm was grown into a diversified rice and fish farm, causing a huge increase in income. The fish in the rice fields are so important to this farmer and his way of life, but why? Check out the video and step into this farmer’s shoes!
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Watch a replay of our talk with Dr. Alasdair Hotston Moore below! This is an interview style talk about Dr. Alasdair's time working as a vet in Shanghai.
Think About It Thursday
What do you see when you watch this video “from a dog’s perspective?” How do people react? How does that make you feel? In the vet world we are very well aware of the dangers of rabies, but how often are we faced with that fear (especially in a rabies free UK).
Take some time to understand why people might be reacting the way they do to this dog. Discuss it. Think about it! |
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What’s your opinion on being a boy or a girl?
Has your culture affected your answer? Take some time to think about it and discuss it. |
Today we heard from Dr. Steve Kruzeniski about his experience working around the world. See a replay of the talk below!
Foodie Friday
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Here in the UK we are all required to carry out pre-clinical EMS (Extra Mural Studies) outside of term time, some of which is required to be on farm. While, of course, it gives us the opportunity to learn how to handle livestock and gain competence, it also allows us to see life from the farmer’s (our future client’s) perspective. We learn the challenges and struggles that farmers and their families go through. We see the realities of our treatment plans and understand why some things just aren’t feasible.
Learning about how food is produced around the world only helps us to further that understanding and empathise with families and owners when we are assessing their livestock. Gaining and understanding another culture and perspective will only make you a better veterinarian! It is important to take the time to do so. |
“This story was born out of seeing a lack of representation in mainstream animated projects, and also wanting to promote hair love amongst young men and women of color. It is our hope that this project will inspire.”
“Through this project, it is my hope that we can show a positive image of black fathers and their daughters, while encouraging natural hair and self-love throughout the world through the animated space.” -Matthew A. Cherry |
Throughout the month so far we have been trying to put ourselves in other people’s shoes and understanding what life is like for them. So much of the beauty in the world is found in our differences, which is why we are celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion.
In this video we meet an inspirational woman called “The Blind Cook.” Take some time to reflect on this video. Were there fewer differences than you expected? We want to emphasize that watching this video does not grant you access to the experiences of all seeing-impaired individuals. This is just one person’s perspective and experiences, and it is important to remember that before making assumptions about others. |