My Writing Portolio

A collection of my work, designed to inform, inspire, and connect with others.

Accreditation Without Accountability: Civil Rights Failures in Veterinary Medical Education

This piece delves into critical issues surrounding civil rights in veterinary medical education. The report aims to shed light on systemic failures and the lack of accountability within the accreditation process. I hope this article resonates with those who have experienced discrimination, whether as a veterinary student or a professional within the field.

The importance of speaking up

Through my writing, I aspire to raise awareness about the significance of using your voice, even when faced with fear. It is crucial to address injustices and advocate for change. My goal is for readers to feel empowered to share their own stories and stand up for their rights.

Accreditation Without Accountability: The Invisible Civil Rights Crisis in Veterinary Medicine

By Daphne Aguirre

Every year, thousands of students enroll in U.S. veterinary programs, taking on six-figure federal loan debt with the expectation that their schools will treat them with dignity and comply with federal law. They trust that the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE), the sole body responsible for accrediting these programs, ensures they are entering a safe, professional environment.

But a major investigation reveals a dangerous "accountability gap": While the AVMA COE evaluates everything from surgical suites to library books, it has no formal mechanism for assessing whether a school is violating its students' civil rights.

Data: A Systemic Problem

An original analysis of federal data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) uncovers a startling reality. Across 28 accredited U.S. schools (only those that have a vet school), there are currently 248 open federal civil rights investigations. These cases include:

  • Title IX violations: Sexual harassment and violence (accounting for roughly 44% of cases).
  • Disability discrimination: Denials of mandated accommodations (31% of cases).
  • Title VI violations: Racial and national origin harassment (22% of cases).

 

*The downside of this is that when I searched up all the accredited vet schools in the US under OCR, it only came up as the schools main name and not necessarily stating "college of veterinary". I still wanted to add this information in because it still flags the school as a whole nonetheless.

*Will continue to investigate so I can have more accurate information based solely on the accredited vet program

A Culture of Silence

This lack of oversight fuels a "culture of non-reporting." Research shows that discrimination in veterinary medicine is widespread but chronically hidden. A 2023 study found that 86.1% of veterinary students who experienced discriminatory behavior did not report it, largely because they believed nothing would be done.

For those who do speak up, the risks are high. Students often fear retaliation from the very faculty and administrators who control their clinical placements and academic future.

The Path Forward: Standard 12

The veterinary profession is one of the least diverse in the United Kingdom and the United States, and cannot afford this indifference. While other professional accreditors in medicine, law, and public health have already integrated civil rights compliance into their standards, the AVMA COE lags behind.

It is time for the AVMA to move beyond empty promises of "dedication to student protection" and implement a concrete Standard 12: Civil Rights Compliance.

A field that aspires to excellence in animal care cannot continue to ignore the dignity, safety, and legal rights of the humans it trains. Reform is no longer optional; it is a matter of justice.

 

 

 

***Still in progress

References:

American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. (2025). Accreditation policies and procedures.

Bensimon, E. M., & Malcolm, L. (2023). Accreditation and equity in higher education.

British Veterinary Association. (2019). Discrimination in the veterinary profession.

Chang, H. (2016). Autoethnography as method. Routledge.

Crenshaw, K. (2013). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color.

Ellis, C., Adams, T. E., & Bochner, A. P. (2011). Autoethnography: An overview. Historical Social Research, 36(4), 273–290.

Greenhill, D. (2007). The status of diversity in veterinary medical education. Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

Harper, S. R. (2012). Race-conscious accreditation.

King, E., Tamaian, A., & Klest, B. (2025). It shreds me from within: Thematic analysis of the impact of racism on veterinary professionals and students in the United Kingdom. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 585. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02481-x

Lett, K., Tamaian, A., & Klest, B. (2020). Impact of ableist microaggressions on university students with self-identified disabilities. Disability & Society, 35(8), 1441–1456. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2019.1680344

Nishi, N. W., Collier, M. J., Morales, G. I., & Watley, E. (2024). Microaggressions in veterinary communication: What are they? How are they harmful? What can veterinary professionals and educators do? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.07.0412

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. No. 93-112, 87 Stat. 355 (1973).

Summers, O. S., Medcalf, R., Hubbard, K. A., & McCarroll, C. S. (2023). A cross-sectional study examining perceptions of discriminatory behaviors experienced and witnessed by veterinary students undertaking clinical extra-mural studies. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.940836

U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. (2024). Case processing manual.

Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage Publications.