VEGgie Highlight: Jayden de Jesus

At VEG, we support our VEGgie veterinarian staff as fully as we support our customers and pet patients. It’s important to us that our VEGgies can focus on simply performing excellent veterinary medicine without pressure to “fit in.” They can come to work as their authentic selves, accepted within a company that not only values, but actively encourages uniqueness. 

DEI AT VEG: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION IN OUR VET ER STAFF

DEI is not just a program at VEG, it’s baked into our culture. The diversity of our VEGgies form a tapestry of professionals who bring unique backgrounds and experiences to the job—and make our mission of building the world’s veterinary emergency company even stronger. 

For the month of June, we’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride at VEG. We sat down with one of our VEGgies who shares what it’s like to work in an environment where we take support and inclusion seriously. Jayden de Jesus is a veterinary technician and a trans man who has enjoyed being a VEGgie at VEG for six years and counting! Read on for Jayden’s story.   

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at VEG?

I’m originally from Puerto Rico and moved to NJ almost 7 years ago. I’m a veterinary technician at VEG and I love my job! I’ve always loved animals and have been in this field a long time (almost 16 years!). 

What is your favorite part of your job?

Simply giving great care to our patients and seeing them get healthy again—watching them so happy to go home with their families is the best! It makes me feel like a real superhero and grateful for the opportunity to save lives every day.

Why did you join VEG?

VEG is just different and that was clear to me from the beginning. The dynamic is different—between the team and how they treat each other and the customers. I’m more of an introverted person, so I was hesitant at first, but I wanted to challenge myself and build better relationships with the pet owners. It challenges me every day to be better and deliver better patient care. I’m so happy I took the leap of faith.

What makes your VEG experience great?

VEG’s totally not normal and amazing culture. We huddle (see below!) every day, which is just a great way to have a moment of reconnection with the team and gives us a very family-like vibe – I love that.

BEING OPEN AND TOGETHER IN VEG’S VET EMERGENCY ROOMS

You may wonder what de Jesus is referring to when he talks about huddles. VEG emergency animal hospitals can be exciting and also have their fair share of tense moments. Huddles are when we gather together, usually at the beginning of each shift. Huddles help the team level set on expectations, and they make everyone feel more comfortable, ensuring that everyone has a voice and is heard. It’s one of the many ways VEG supports the well-being of its VEGgie staff.

Being a trans man, how has VEG supported you?

I feel safe. Everybody that I work with uses the pronouns that are right for me. That’s very special to me. I haven’t changed my legal name yet but VEG has allowed me to use my preferred name of Jayden. In fact, when I started at VEG, they put my legal name as my email address at first. Our CEO, Dr. Bessler emailed me personally and asked me if I wanted the name that I was using to be on my email. I was blown away that our CEO cared enough to do that – it completely touched me and made me feel so heard and respected. They had my email changed by the next day. Feeling safe to be myself at my job means the world to me. 

What advice would you have for someone who is transitioning or looking to come out?

First of all, you need to feel safe, so if you do and the time is right, then be yourself. It’s really hard but your mental health and happiness is so crucial. And ask for support if you need it – lean on your company if you can, and ask your coworkers to use your correct pronouns.

WHY REPRESENTATION MATTERS IN VET MED 

This industry can be really emotionally and physically taxing. There are extremes from happy to terribly sad moments seemingly on every shift, so getting the right support for mental health and well-being is so important. VEG is committed to providing personalized support for VEGgies because we value uniqueness and individuality as something that needs to be encouraged and celebrated.

VEG stands by this commitment and it has opened the doors to an incredibly talented and diverse staff who are passionate about saving the lives of pets. Working at VEG has made a positive impact on de Jesus, so he can focus clearly on his vet med skills and career. 

Jayden de Jesus is just one of many examples of how VEG celebrates all its talented and diverse VEGgies who are committed to helping people and their pets when they need it most, and stands by their commitment to VEGgies like Jayden to help them when they need it most too.