#114 - Sami Griffin: Beyond Performative - Effective Gender Inclusivity for Pet Professionals

What does gender inclusivity have to do with pet behavior consulting? (Spoiler: everything.) In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong (she/they) chats with Sami Griffin (they/them), a cat and dog behavior consultant with a passion for creating safer, more inclusive spaces—for pets and their people. Sami helps us move beyond surface-level performative action into real, effective inclusivity that doesn’t just sound good, but does good.

From busting myths around sex and gender to sharing tangible ways to practice using pronouns and avoid assumptions, this conversation is packed with insight, empathy, and action. You'll also hear how the same principles we use in behavior work—intentional practice, meeting learners’ needs, and using a descriptive approach—can help us grow as inclusive professionals. Whether you’re already deep into this work or you’re just starting to explore how gender inclusivity fits into your role, this episode offers guidance, support, and that gentle-but-firm nudge to do better—for everyone’s benefit.

Meet Our Guest: Sami Griffin (they/them)
Sami (they/them) got a bachelor’s degree in music and gender studies (with a lot of philosophy). They worked as a veterinary assistant in veterinary emergency, in shelters in the foster and behavior departments, and with a Veterinary Behaviorist as a behavior therapist focused on behavior modification. Amongst all things animal behavior, they are passionate about educating people on queerness and how all systems of oppression are interlocked. If they aren’t teaching people about the animals in their lives, they’re likely teaching people about queerness and LGBTQ inclusivity, playing indie video games, puzzling, or embroidering.

Connect with Sami on Instagram or their website

TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen): 

• Mistakes are Normal – Nobody gets it right 100% of the time, and that’s okay. The key is how we respond: with openness, humility, and a willingness to keep learning. 
• Behavior Principles Apply to People, Too – Just like teaching a dog to sit or helping a cat love their cat tree, changing our language and habits takes practice, reinforcement, and support.
• Take a Descriptive Approach – Instead of making assumptions about pets or people, taking a descriptive, curiosity-centered approach will build trust, reduce harm, and create space for authenticity.

Links & Resources from the Episode

• Find the transcript in Arial l Find the transcript in OpenDyslexic
• Learn why Emily and Sami said it’s so important to speak out

Going Down a Rabbit Hole?
Want more ways to expand your inclusive, science-smart behavior toolkit? We have more links to resources here. 

More from Pet Harmony
We’ve got a lot more to share—join the conversation!

Follow us on social media:
Pet Parents
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining

Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program. 

See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience. 

We can't wait to see you there!