Throughout Pride Month, BVNA will be raising visibility of individuals making up the LGBTQIA+ community within the veterinary nursing profession.

In this blog, we hear from Kane Matthews-Kershaw, a student veterinary nurse (SVN) who discusses how being able to work within a caring and compassionate team initially attracted him to a career in veterinary nursing. Kane also shares with us the importance of allyship and positive role models, enabling those within the LGBTQIA+ community to show up at work as their true selves – which ultimately, only enhances engagement within the team along with the care provided to patients and clients.

My name is Kane, and I am a Student Veterinary Nurse working at County Vets, Friarswood in Staffordshire. I am proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community pursuing a career in veterinary nursing. I have always believed that being authentic to myself is incredibly important, both personally and professionally. Since entering the profession, I have been fortunate to experience a supportive and welcoming environment that has allowed me to grow in confidence, develop my skills, and focus on providing the best possible care to my patients.

One of the things that attracted me to veterinary nursing was the opportunity to work as part of a compassionate and caring team. Veterinary professionals dedicate their careers to supporting animals and their owners through both happy and difficult times, and those values of empathy, kindness, and respect extend to our colleagues as well. Being openly gay in the workplace has allowed me to build genuine relationships with those around me without feeling the need to hide an important part of who I am.

Visibility within the profession is incredibly important. For LGBTQIA+ individuals entering veterinary nursing, seeing people who are comfortable being themselves can provide reassurance that they belong and are valued. While progress has been made, some LGBTQIA+ people may still worry about how they will be perceived by colleagues, clients, or wider society. I grew up in Manchester and moved to Stoke on Trent with my partner, and initially struggled to adapt to the change of a new area and being accepted in the community that I never really knew. Having positive role models and supportive workplaces can help reduce these concerns and encourage people to bring their whole selves to work.

I have been fortunate to receive support from my colleagues and workplace, which has had a significant positive impact on my confidence and wellbeing. Knowing that I can speak openly about my sexuality without fear of judgement creates a sense of belonging that allows me to focus on my studies, my professional development, and the animals in my care. When people feel accepted, they are often more confident, productive, and engaged within their teams.

Creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals does not require grand gestures, it is the small actions that make the biggest difference. Creating an atmosphere where everyone feels heard and valued can have a lasting impact. Allyship is particularly important, as it demonstrates that inclusivity is a shared responsibility rather than something that LGBTQIA+ individuals must advocate for alone.

The positive impact of allyship cannot be overstated. When colleagues actively support one another, it fosters trust, strengthens teamwork, and creates a culture where everyone can thrive. Veterinary nursing is a profession built on compassion, and extending that compassion to our colleagues helps create workplaces that are not only diverse but genuinely inclusive.

I am proud to be part of both the veterinary profession and the LGBTQIA+ community. I hope that by sharing my experiences, others feel encouraged to be themselves, seek support when needed, and recognise that there is a place for everyone within veterinary nursing. I think having a community around you shows the real reasons we care!

Thank you, Kane, for being willing to share your experiences with us.

By increasing visibility of the rich diversity within the veterinary nursing workforce, we hope to inspire others and widen participation – whilst demonstrating to those already in the veterinary nursing profession that you are not alone.

To help BVNA to promote a more inclusive, supportive and representative profession, we’d love to hear from those within the LGBTQIA+ community and allies with your experiences. Please get in touch at bvna@bvna.co.uk.