Animal Aspirations supports students from ethnic minority backgrounds through hundreds of school workshops.

The student-led organisation is dedicated to improving diversity.

A national student-led organisation championing diversity within animal-related careers is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Animal Aspirations, founded by Stephanie Stapleton and Lavinia Economu from the RVC in 2019, aims to break down barriers and increase exposure to veterinary careers from a young age.

Supported by fellow students and the RVC’s Student Recruitment and Widening Participation team, the organisation provides positive role models and practical advice to diverse students of all ages across the UK.

Stephanie and Lavinia launched Animal Aspirations in response to reports from the BVA and the RCVS, which highlighted a lack of diversity and support for minority backgrounds in the sector.

Commenting on the anniversary, Dr. Economu shared her desire for the veterinary profession to become "more accessible and inclusive to all young people, no matter their background".

She added: “I’ve always lived and gone to school in Greater London, and so I was used to being surrounded by people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Once I started my veterinary degree, this was no longer the case, as few students came from diverse or ethnic minority backgrounds. This pattern seemed to be the same in all vet schools and even the veterinary profession, but there were very few if any, initiatives to address it.

“During my intercalated year at the RVC, I was lucky enough to meet Stephanie Stapleton, another vet student who also shared my passion for increasing diversity in veterinary medicine. She introduced me to the Widening Participation team at the RVC, and together, we recruited an amazing group of vet students, and Animal Aspirations was born.” 

Animal Aspirations supports people from ethnic minorities or on Free School Meals through hundreds of school workshops. Since its launch, it has grown from nine students at the RVC to a team of 83 students.

The organisation now has a presence across several leading institutions, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Surrey, Harper Adams University, Keele University and the University of Central Lancashire, with plans to expand to the University of Liverpool and the University of Edinburgh.

In its first five years, Animal Aspirations has worked with notable organisations such as the RCVS, BVA, RSPCA and Pets at Home on various campaigns, and hosted Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, at a school workshop. 

Its ambassadors have also appeared at prominent events including the London Vet Show, New Scientist Live and the Veterinary Schools Council’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion Conference.

However, Lharanya Somasundaram, president of Animal Aspirations, believes there is still more work to be done in the profession to create a more diverse and inclusive environment.

She said: “Animal Aspirations has grown so much over the years. Like myself, many join the team to find the support and sense of community that was absent in our journey to the veterinary profession. It has been incredible to see the impact of our work, how misconceptions that once served as barriers are being challenged, and how young people feel more empowered to pursue their dreams.

“However, there is still much work to be done. The goal is to create such a diverse and inclusive environment that it can sustain itself and the support we provide is the norm. This only becomes possible when everyone, regardless of experience, position or background, is committed to championing diversity.

“We should all be thinking about how we can make ourselves and our workplaces more inclusive. With these combined efforts, we get closer to a profession where everyone feels as though they truly belong.”