Dr. Venaya Jones used her genuine love for animals to make history in her local area.
Jones' career path to treating furry friends was seeded from a young age and blossomed into adulthood. She divulged to Atlanta Black Star:
“Career day just put a name to the profession that I had already been dreaming about. I knew I wanted to fix animals, but I had no idea what it was called or that it was even a profession.”
Thus, Cleveland Veterinary Clinic was rooted making her the first African-American woman to own her own animal health facility in the city. ABS continued in their interview with the barrier breaker who was very honest about the struggles she faced along the way to being a business owner.
“I went to several institutions and tried several different ways for getting my clinic,” she said. “Finally, one of them said yes, but it took a lot of asking before I was actually able to get the loan that I needed.”
degree from Western University College of Veterinary Medicine in hand, Jones found it a hassle to "convince people" that she could open the clinic. However, she went on to thank her family for love and support. Now, aside from healing sick or injured pets, she also taking on the role of being an inspiration for others.
“I want to make myself known in the community [and] available to other minorities that want to pursue the veterinary medicine field,” she told ABS. “I want to be known as the place to go if you’re seeking mentorship, [or] to get volunteer hours, or just want to know more about the veterinary profession.”
Learn more about Dr. Venaya's journey in the link above.
Photo: Atlanta Black Star