Gov. Polis, Prop 129 endangers Colorado’s domesticated animals | FEEDBACK

We disagree with Gov. Jared Polis. Not only is a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) not needed, but the proposed VPA puts the health and safety of Colorado’s pets and other animals at risk.

There is no “gap” in veterinary services. The proposed VPA duplicates the work veterinarians and veterinary technicians already perform. Veterinarians diagnose, prognose, develop treatment plans, prescribe and perform surgery. Veterinary technicians can do anything else. In fact, Colorado recently passed a law that supports veterinarians in delegating appropriate duties to their veterinary technicians and expands their role. The VPA role, if authorized by Proposition 129, would put inadequately trained individuals with a mostly online masters degree into medical decision-making roles and allow them to perform surgery which jeopardizes the safety of Colorado’s animals and the future of veterinary care.

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