LGBT+ History Month 2026: Morgan Rook

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, throughout February we are featuring Q&As with some key role models. Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) Morgan Rook shares their experiences working in the veterinary profession. 

What inspired your path into the veterinary profession? 

I have always loved animals, one of my parents’ earliest memories of me was me pointing to a caterpillar and asking how it worked! James Herriot also added a lot to this ambition. My studies were aimed at getting into vet school, but I had a lot of difficulties during my time in high school and ended up moving schools during my A-levels. After completing my Equine Science degree, I worked for an outdoor activity company for 5 years, where I met my now partner, and realised my gender identity was not what I was assigned at birth. After some more difficulties holding down jobs due to this and my undiagnosed neurodivergence, 2 days into a new job I proudly declared to my family that I was going to train to be a vet nurse. Six years later, 2 diagnoses and half-way through my transition and I finally can say I am living my dream.  

What has been the most challenging part of your career? 

Coming to terms with my neurodivergence diagnosis and being an older student. It always made me feel like a failure and like I would never be good enough. Thankfully I had a very supportive practice with nurses that understood me and my brain, and since qualifying, have been in an amazing practice with a small but very close-knit team. Whilst I still struggle with communication, having people around who do not judge me and are willing to support, has made all the difference.  

What has been the best part of your career so far? 

Working with my current team. I only qualified just over a year ago and had to leave my old clinic to be the sole RVN in my current one. Everyone was so patient and understanding, my vet truly believes in using everyone to their full potential and normally knows before the individual does! I had to step up very quickly to coach students and new starts, manage and run the clinic diary and deal with the admin. A year on and I am so much more confident in myself and my work and am so proud of seeing my colleagues grow and flourish.  

What advice would you offer to someone experiencing difficulty with their sexuality or gender identity? 

Surround yourself with people who you love, and who love you for you. You don’t have to accommodate people who do not respect you; you can build your own family. The people who care will be the ones to pick you up, celebrate your achievements and small wins, bring you chocolate when you need to vent and show up when it really matters. It's ok to need time and change your mind a few times, if people cannot respect that you don’t need to waste your time with them. I remember a colleague saying to me once that they didn't feel like they were “bi-enough” as they hadn't been with the same sex. I told them that no one gets to say what a person is or isn't, but that person themselves.