In an industry driven by innovation, advancement, and constant momentum, we often celebrate the loudest voices, the biggest announcements, the fastest growth, the boldest opinions.
But recently, I found myself asking a different question: Does humility still exist in Animal Health?
The question surfaced while attending The Bridge Club ICON Event, where more than 150 members of our profession gathered to honor Harold Davis, BA, RVT, VTS (ECC, Anesthesia & Analgesia) as the 2026 ICON Award recipient.
The evening was designed to celebrate legacy, but what unfolded was something far more powerful.
A Living Example of Humility
Harold Davis is someone many in Veterinary medicine already admire. His impact spans decades. His influence reaches across education, mentorship, and advocacy. His name is familiar, his work respected.
Yet when the spotlight turned to him, Harold appeared genuinely surprised by the recognition.
He spoke not of accomplishments or titles, but of mentors who shaped him, colleagues who supported him, and a profession he deeply loves. When asked to reflect on his career, he deflected praise and redirected the conversation back to Veterinary medicine itself.
Harold is a man of few words when it comes to discussing himself. But when it comes to educating others, elevating technicians, advancing standards of care, and advocating for our profession, he uses his voice with purpose and precision.
That contrast struck me.
Here stood someone whose influence is undeniable, yet whose humility remains intact. And it prompted reflection on what humility truly looks like today.
Humility Versus the Appearance of Being Humble
Humility is not the same as being humble. Humility is internal, a mindset grounded in self-awareness. Being humble is external, how that mindset shows up in behavior.
In today’s professional culture, the two are often blurred.
We have learned how to appear humble while still centering ourselves. We know the phrases. We understand the optics. We’ve mastered the language of modesty. But humility, the quiet understanding that success is collective and learning never stops, cannot be manufactured.
Harold didn’t perform humility. He embodies it.
When Volume Replaced Grounded Leadership
The Animal Health industry is evolving rapidly. Consolidation, technology, workforce shortages, economic pressures, and changing client expectations have reshaped how we work, and how we communicate.
Visibility matters. Advocacy matters. Speaking up matters.
But somewhere along the way, confidence began to sound like volume. Leadership became branding. Expertise became performance. And humility, once considered a hallmark of strong leadership, began to feel almost outdated.
Quiet competence does not trend well. Yet it is often those quiet leaders who leave the deepest imprint.
Why Humility Still Matters
Humility is not weakness. It does not mean minimizing achievements or avoiding recognition. It does not mean staying silent when leadership is needed.
Humility means understanding that your role, no matter how influential, exists within a much larger ecosystem.
In Veterinary medicine and animal health, no advancement happens alone. Progress is built by technicians, veterinarians, educators, industry partners, students, researchers, and advocates working together. Humility allows us to recognize that interdependence and respect it.
- It creates psychological safety within teams.
- It opens the door for innovation.
- It makes mentorship possible.
- Most importantly, it reminds people that they belong.
A Reminder We Didn’t Know We Needed
That night at the ICON Event, there were tears, laughter, and stories shared across generations. But the moment that lingered most was watching Harold accept recognition not as a culmination, but as a reflection of community.
He reminded everyone in the room that leadership isn’t about being the most visible person at the table. It’s about making space for others to sit down.
So, Does Humility Still Exist?
Yes . . . it does. It exists in people like Harold Davis.
It exists in those who do what they love, not for applause, but for impact. In professionals who are genuinely surprised by accolades because recognition was never the goal.
Humility may not always be loud. It may not trend online. It may not come with a press release.
But it remains one of the most powerful forces in our profession.
As Animal Health continues to evolve, perhaps the question isn’t whether humility still exists, but whether we choose to recognize, protect, and elevate it.
Because the future of this industry will not be shaped solely by innovation or technology. It will be shaped by the people who lead with purpose—and the humility to remember why they started in the first place.