Closing the Leadership Gap

Her Animals recognizes a deeper imbalance within animal science and veterinary medicine: although these fields are increasingly female-dominated in classrooms, clinics, and early-career roles, women remain underrepresented in leadership, academia, ownership, research, and high-level decision-making. This is often called a “leaky pipeline” or “vertical segregation,” where women enter and sustain the field in large numbers but are less visible in the spaces where policy, innovation, institutional priorities, and professional leadership are shaped.

This matters because the people doing much of the hands-on care should also have a voice in shaping the future of animal welfare, veterinary medicine, and animal science. Her Animals seeks to close this visibility and leadership gap by introducing girls early to animal-related fields and helping them see themselves not only as caregivers, but as future veterinarians, researchers, advocates, owners, and decision-makers. We run volunteer groups, create fundraisers, and organize talks with guest speakers to give young women meaningful opportunities for growth and involvement. Through these experiences, we aim to build responsibility, confidence, leadership, and real-world understanding while encouraging compassion, initiative, and a stronger sense of purpose.

We believe empathy is a skill and leadership starts with learning to care. Her Animals uses hands-on work with animals to help girls grow into confident, capable leaders who understand responsibility, build trust, and create impact in their communities.

Another goal is to create a more balanced future where compassion and authority are not separated — where women’s care, expertise, and leadership are equally recognized. Her Animals develops the next generation of female leaders by combining animal care, mentorship, and hands-on experience to build confidence, empathy, and real-world impact.