Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

I found this conversation to be shockingly enlightening.

It’s no surprise that most vets study Veterinary Medicine because of their love and compassion for animals. Yet ironically, as Dr. Crystal Heath will share today, many of them face bullying and retaliation when voicing ethical concerns.

Dr. Crystal Heath is a 2012 UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine graduate. She grew up in a rural agricultural area and was vice-president of her 4-H club, however is now a vegan and animal rights activist.

Since graduating, she has spent her career helping homeless animals in shelters while working part-time at a general practice.

Crystal advocates for One Health, the idea that human, plant, animal, and environmental health are all interconnected.

She believes in confronting the corporations and institutions that stand in the way of advancing the compassionate care of all species on this planet and, this stance has cost her a lot. It’s also given her a lot.

Five years ago Crystal started Our Honor, with the goal is to create an organised network of professionals who are able to formally challenge unethical institutionalised systems and amplify the voices of those who have been marginalised.

OurHonor.org states: Embrace your conscience. We’ll back you up.

This is a deeply inspiring conversation with a fiercely determined animal rights activist vet – please enjoy!

In this conversation we cover:

• Crystal were involved in 4-H, an organisation that promotes animal agriculture. How did that shape her understanding of the industry?
• When Crystal began to realise the extent to which the veterinary industry tries to silence ethical concerns?
• Advocating for animal rights in veterinary spaces is still met with hostility. Why is the profession is so resistant to these discussions?
• The propaganda animal agriculture spreads about animal rights activists.
• Crystal volunteers abroad to help animals overseas, winning a Jefferson Award for volunteering in Fiji.
• What would Crystal say to a veterinarian who wants to speak out about these issues but fears the consequences?
• Has Crystal seen a shift in attitudes within the veterinary profession since she started Our Honor?
• What advice does Crystal have for the child who wants to become a vet and loves animals yet fears they might not be brave enough to challenge the status quo.

I am stunned at my own level of ignorance prior to prepping for this conversation.

It should not be surprising to learn that the deep, greedy pockets of Animal Ag hold such control over veterinary spaces, and these tired old methods and belief systems are so tough to shake.

Yet every professional like Crystal that takes a stand, has the power to highlight those practices that were once deemed acceptable and are now surely not, if we care at all about protecting the lives of the most vulnerable among us.

Transparency will be the end of animal agriculture.

However, it’s an arduous task. And as shared via Ourhonor.org: “Can be emotionally exhausting and without appropriate support systems in place, can result in damage to one’s mental health, livelihood and reputation.”

For support, connection and guidance please check out www.ourhonor.org/ or share this episode with the loved one you know would find value in Crystal’s message.

Crystal mentions the paper: Reproducing Dominion: Emotional Apprenticeship in the 4-H Youth Livestock Program.

Also, Dr Andrew Knight.

Crystal’s website: https://www.ourhonor.org/

Connect with Crystal across the socials: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | LinkedIn.

Connect with Our Honor across the socials: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube

The YouTube Live Streams Crystal mentioned:

• All Beings Considered: 3-6pm Pacific Time Wednesday’s
• Foyer Friday’s: 4pm Pacific Time Friday’s
• Ethical Underground: 10am-1pm Pacific Time Sunday’s

That’s it for this week in Healthification.

Plant Positive Journal Version 2 (printed and fillable PDF)

This journal and daily planner follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.

Connect with Kate across the socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

With love and gratitude plant friends.

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like Former Factory Farm Livestock Vet Dr Alice Brough and the Urgent Need to Scrap Factory Farming.

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like Kathy Guillermo and PETA’s Work to End Animal Exploitation.

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like Transforming the Food Industry with Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet’s Danielle Hanosh.

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet with Danielle Hanosh

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like 638: PETA’s Ingrid Newkirk | Animals Are Not Ours To Experiment On, Eat, Wear, Use For Entertainment or Abuse In Any Other Way.

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like Meat The Victims with Animal Activist Leah Doellinger.

If you liked “What Vets Aren’t Taught About Animal Rights with Dr. Crystal Heath.” you’ll also like E648: Seb Alex Will Never Stop Fighting For The Animals.