With Pride and purpose: 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital earns Rainbow Registered status
February 18, 2026
Paws Veterinary Hospital is leading with pride, becoming our very first practice accredited as Rainbow Registered! Congratulations to the entire team for this meaningful accomplishment.
4 Paws Veterinary Hospital has officially received the Rainbow Registered accreditation, becoming the first practice within the VetStrategy network to receive this recognition. Administered by the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC), the accreditation recognizes organizations committed to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for members of the 2SLGBTQIA community, within their teams, for the clients they serve, and across the broader community.
This achievement builds on VetStrategy’s broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2024, VetStrategy became Rainbow Registered, reinforcing our belief that inclusive workplaces lead to stronger teams, healthier cultures, and better care for the communities we serve.
As one of the five recipients of a Pride Fund grant last summer, the 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital team chose to use this opportunity to undertake the Rainbow Registered accreditation process. The funding allowed them to formally recognize the inclusive values already embedded in their daily practice.
We asked colleagues at the practice to share why this work matters and the difference it makes. Here’s what they had to say.
What motivated the team to pursue the Rainbow Registered accreditation?
“What motivated us as a team to pursue the Rainbow Registered accreditation really starts at the individual level. Each of us brings our whole self to work, and we believe that when people feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are, they can show up more confidently and compassionately. That sense of belonging strengthens how we function as a team and how we support one another each day.
The accreditation gave us a way to be intentional and accountable in building an inclusive workplace where psychological safety and continuous learning are prioritized. When we feel supported as individuals and connected as a team, it directly impacts how we serve our community, allowing us to provide care that is respectful, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse clients and patients we support.”
– Carissa Dort, Practice Manager at 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital
What does working in an inclusive practice mean to you personally?
“Working in an inclusive veterinary hospital doesn’t stop at caring for our patients – we care for the owners who love their pets and our staff who treat them too. You can have very little in common with someone other than your shared love of animals, but that’s the only thing that should matter. We are a team and we work together to save lives. Getting to see our sick patients get better and go home to their families is something we all have in common.”
– Dr. Brittni Milligan Chambers, DVM
“Working at an inclusive practice means I don’t have to police or modify what I say like I do in non-inclusive environments; I feel safe expressing myself, I feel comfortable talking about my wife and our daily lives without fear of prejudice. I’m able to participate in meaningful discussions about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues within our clinic and find resolutions that work for everyone. I know that clients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ will be treated the same as everyone else who enters our clinic, because at the end of the day, we are here for the animals, but the humans who bring in the animals matter too.”
– Julia Dares, Team Lead for the Client Care Specialist Team
As part of the accreditation assessment, the team at 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital demonstrated how inclusivity is part of their ongoing practices and community engagement. From hosting a Pet Pride event, sharing inclusive social media messaging, and displaying welcoming signage, to supporting the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomer Program through their Pride Fund, the team showed a clear commitment to belonging in both culture and action.
About the Rainbow Registered Program.
Rainbow Registered is a nationally recognized safe space accreditation program that assesses policies, practices, workplace culture, and more to ensure meaningful inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA communities. Accredited organizations must demonstrate ongoing efforts to foster environments where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued.
VetStrategy is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusivity. We strive to ensure our network is a welcoming and safe place for everyone. Thank you to all colleagues who help build a more inclusive and supportive world, every day of the year.