Addressing the access-to-veterinary-care crisis is the driving force behind a recently proposed ballot initiative in Colorado.
Announced by the Elections Division of the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, Proposed Initiative #145, “Establish Qualifications and Registration for Veterinary Professional Associate,” will be included on the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election Ballot to ask voters if a new mid-level position should be established in veterinary medicine. The announcement follows the proponents’ submission of the required number of signatures for statewide initiative petitions.
According to the text by the Secretary of State, the proposal seeks to create the role of veterinary professional associate (VPA), which is defined as “an individual who holds a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care, or the equivalent, and who is subject to the requirements in section 12-315-203.7.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has expressed the association’s opposition to the initiative, noting how the new role will overlap with the duties of a veterinary technician, and would “be disastrous for pets and other animals and endangers public health.”
“The proposed training for this position is completely inadequate and will lead to missed or delayed diagnoses, ineffective treatment and repeat visits, all of which lead to more suffering for the animal and increased cost for the client,” says Sandra Faeh, DVM, president of the AVMA.
For more information on the proposal, visit the Colorado Secretary of State website.