Veterinary Professional Associate
September 16, 2024 6:30 AM Subscribe
What is your opinion of Veterinary Professional Associate?
Do other states in the country have this? Other countries?
From the Colorado Springs Gazette:
Proposition 129
This measure creates a new mid-level role in the veterinary field called a veterinary professional associate. The position would require a Master's degree and would be a step above a veterinary technician but below a doctor of veterinary medicine.
Apryl Steele and Ali Mickelson of the Denver Dumb Friends League support the measure, while most of the nation's veterinary associations and veterinarians oppose it.
Last year, lawmakers on the joint Water Resources and Agricultural Review Committee heard testimony on a proposal for the degree from Colorado State University, but chose not to run legislation to advance it. The General Assembly passed a bill in 2024 to expand the scope of practice for veterinary technicians.
Supporters of Proposition 129 point to the degree as a way to address workforce shortages in the veterinary profession. Opponents, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, claim the proposed training for the 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.”
The Denver Dumb Friends League is the primary funder for the issue committee All Pets Deserve Vet Care, which has raised $1.35 million to date, with $1 million from the Dumb Friends League. Opposing the measure, Keep Our Pets Safe, which has raised $964,000, with all but $100 from the American Veterinary Medical Association and its Colorado affiliate.
From the Colorado Springs Gazette:
Proposition 129
This measure creates a new mid-level role in the veterinary field called a veterinary professional associate. The position would require a Master's degree and would be a step above a veterinary technician but below a doctor of veterinary medicine.
Apryl Steele and Ali Mickelson of the Denver Dumb Friends League support the measure, while most of the nation's veterinary associations and veterinarians oppose it.
Last year, lawmakers on the joint Water Resources and Agricultural Review Committee heard testimony on a proposal for the degree from Colorado State University, but chose not to run legislation to advance it. The General Assembly passed a bill in 2024 to expand the scope of practice for veterinary technicians.
Supporters of Proposition 129 point to the degree as a way to address workforce shortages in the veterinary profession. Opponents, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, claim the proposed training for the 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.”
The Denver Dumb Friends League is the primary funder for the issue committee All Pets Deserve Vet Care, which has raised $1.35 million to date, with $1 million from the Dumb Friends League. Opposing the measure, Keep Our Pets Safe, which has raised $964,000, with all but $100 from the American Veterinary Medical Association and its Colorado affiliate.
Best answer: I'm having a hard time seeing how someone with a Master's would be a better fit for a position than a vet tech and less fit for a DVM position. Techs can do dentals (not extractions, just cleaning), draw blood and assist in surgeries and anesthesia, while the vet provides a diagnosis and performs surgeries. Would a VPA be allowed to make diagnoses and perform surgeries?
My partner is a DVM and would not hire someone with a VPA because they would require a much higher salary yet still not relieve him of a lot of duties in his clinic. Sure, the VPA will likely be much more competent out the door than a tech with an associates degree, but so much of what the techs and VETS learn is once they start working, it's a very hands on type of job and since there isn't a residency, they don't have a ton of hands on experience coming out of school so I'm not sure how a Master's degree is going to help in a clinic when what they really need are great techs, vets, and assistants. Granted, this is all in theory and what the VPA will be qualified to do isn't known to me.
posted by waving at 11:42 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
My partner is a DVM and would not hire someone with a VPA because they would require a much higher salary yet still not relieve him of a lot of duties in his clinic. Sure, the VPA will likely be much more competent out the door than a tech with an associates degree, but so much of what the techs and VETS learn is once they start working, it's a very hands on type of job and since there isn't a residency, they don't have a ton of hands on experience coming out of school so I'm not sure how a Master's degree is going to help in a clinic when what they really need are great techs, vets, and assistants. Granted, this is all in theory and what the VPA will be qualified to do isn't known to me.
posted by waving at 11:42 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
This is so cool! I have often wished that such a position existed for some of the more mundane and less complex parts of vet care. There is a huge issue near me with a lack of access for affordable spay and neuter services and vaccination.
It makes so much more sense to me to have the option of vet care that is more like human dentistry (dental hygienist does 95% of the work for me 95% of the time for normal care and a dentist does a quick check where necessary).
Obviously if a pet is sick and needs a more thorough intervention a vet makes sense, but the option for expanding affordable care is so desperately needed right now.
posted by forkisbetter at 12:07 PM on September 16 [1 favorite]
It makes so much more sense to me to have the option of vet care that is more like human dentistry (dental hygienist does 95% of the work for me 95% of the time for normal care and a dentist does a quick check where necessary).
Obviously if a pet is sick and needs a more thorough intervention a vet makes sense, but the option for expanding affordable care is so desperately needed right now.
posted by forkisbetter at 12:07 PM on September 16 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My opinion as a vet tech: This is dangerous and will compromise patient care if allowed to pass.
The AVMA puts it better than I can here.
posted by cozenedindigo at 5:14 PM on September 16 [2 favorites]
The AVMA puts it better than I can here.
posted by cozenedindigo at 5:14 PM on September 16 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Thank you cozenedindigo for that link. The VPA will likely be a hire for the corporate run vet clinics ( which are taking over), who, like corporate run human clinics, will strip any and all extra costs to maximize profits while reducing client care and safety.
posted by waving at 5:31 PM on September 16 [2 favorites]
posted by waving at 5:31 PM on September 16 [2 favorites]
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As a human seeking medical care, I generally haven't been impressed with the care I've received from non-doctors. They have much less leeway to use their own judgment, so it's basically like talking to a human flowchart. Like, I'd rather just do this over the phone with a computer program if that's the level of engagement and depth of thought I'm going to get. But we just aren't making enough doctors right now, so this is what we get. And I guess now the same goes for vets.
posted by potrzebie at 9:22 AM on September 16 [4 favorites]