Vegan veterinary professionals’ experiences of commensality in small animal veterinary practice in England

Abstract

This paper explores commensality in small animal veterinary practice from the perspective of vegans who engage in political consumerism. Commensality–meaning eating together–is neither good nor bad and can have positive or negative outcomes. Research suggests that eating with others can help to develop and sustain social bonds and offers benefits for individual wellbeing and interpersonal (including colleague) relationships; however, negative outcomes of commensality can arise if tension or conflict are involved with shared eating. Using semi-structured interviews with vegan veterinarians and vegan veterinary nurses in England, this paper explores the intersection of veganism and omnivorousness in the veterinary practice staff lunchroom, at catered staff meetings, and work-related social events involving commensality. It is found that while vegan veterinary professionals’ experiences of commensality do vary, if and how vegans are catered for, and whether they feel included and supported in the workplace can improve opportunities for beneficial commensality, which has implications on an individual and organizational level. This research contributes to food studies, studies about commensality, vegan studies, animal studies, sociology of professions, sociology of consumption and has implications for individuals including veterinary professionals (employees and employers, vegan and non-vegan), the veterinary profession, and professions more broadly.