When we embrace and appreciate a wide range of people and perspectives, we create an environment where associates can do their best work, partners enjoy engaging with us and pet parents have an unmatched customer experience. Belonging, diversity, and inclusion make us a stronger company. It’s why we place such a high value on the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our associates, customers, and the communities where we live and work.
And while we celebrate Pride month this June (and our Pride all year long!), we love following along with the festivities from all of our associates! Check out the below to reflect with Darin, RVP of the Mid-Atlantic, and celebrate with some Washington DC PetSmart associates who participated in a local PRIDE event. Thank you to District Leader, Clarence, for sharing the highlights with us!
One thing I’ve learned during LBGTQ+ Pride month is...
Darin: How much the feeling of belonging matters. Feeling it at work, belonging at home, belonging with friends, and a sense of community. While this feeling of belonging has always been critical to me as a leader and person, it was brought more to life for me as it relates to LBGTQ+ Pride when I heard some of the associates' stories and revisited previous PetSmart Belonging Week’s resources. For me at least – they will always be tied together because of my experiences here, though I do know there is so much to both individually.
I demonstrate allyship to the LGBTQ+ community by...
Darin: Taking part in the learnings, resources, and activities from this year’s Belonging Week, but even more importantly, continuing to challenge myself to learn more about the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. I am committed to doing this in several ways, but also want to ask my fellow PetSmart associates to consider joining me in these everyday ways: by actively listening, having compassion, remembering a time when you felt like you didn’t belong, and doing your best to show people grace through your actions. I recognize that we have an engaged and passionate team at PetSmart, I know this does not seem like a big ask, but it is an important one. I also know it will be one that you absolutely knock out of the park!!