Inclusion & Belonging at
The HERD Institute

At The HERD Institute®, we are firmly committed to creating a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We are dedicated to creating a safer and more inclusive space where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are a central focus in all that we offer.

We want all people to feel valued regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, physical ability, or cultural identity. We know that in order to create such a space, we must actively and consistently do the work around dismantling systems that continue to oppress those who have historically been under represented. More specifically, we stand in solidarity with those who serve alongside us doing this work, including our faculty, staff, students, and graduates. Additionally, we ask that we all remain aware of our own biases to ensure that we are aligned with the values that The HERD Institute® represents and stands for.

As part of joining The HERD Institute®, you will be asked to sign The HERD Institute® Commitment of Belonging and encouraged to think critically about where you are on your DEI journey to help us make “More than a statement”.

Our Values

Our core values are centered on professional integrity, relational ethics, respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a commitment to continuous self-development.

We are proud of our ongoing efforts to center issues of diversity, belonging, and inclusion within our organization. In addition to the groundbreaking virtual summits and gatherings that we have hosted, we aim to champion those who have historically been marginalized within the equine facilitated industry by creating opportunities for scholarship, delivering training, consulting with industry leaders on how to create collaborative spaces for dialogue, and presenting internationally in animal assisted services communities.

Our Founder & Executive Director, Dr. Veronica Lac’s latest book, “Obviously, I’m not from here: Embodying a sense of belonging with the help of horses”, offers a framework on how to engage in critical conversations. The book includes contributions from HERD Institute faculty members and graduates that offer reflections on their experiences of belonging and/or DEI journeys.

At The HERD Institute, we believe that we’re all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Healthy debates are natural and we can treat one another with respect, kindness, and compassion, and allow for the assumption that we are engaging with positive intent. It takes courage to ask for support. Let’s hold space for the vulnerability that comes with that. Let’s encourage and lift each other up, celebrate successes, have fun, connect, and come together in community. We want to create a space where everyone can feel safe enough to show up with courage and authenticity. This means that bullying behavior and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. We LOVE that we are a diverse group where we honor differences.

Want to deepen your understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging? Check out our HERD Institute DEI Resources. These are links to materials outside of The HERD Institute, curated to offer a starting point for your journey.