Insights

In a column for Today’s Veterinary Business, Mark Cushing examines how veterinary workforce shortages, rising costs, and access to care are intertwined rather than isolated challenges. Cushing traces the debate over whether a true veterinarian shortage exists and how economic pressures shape both pricing and availability of services. Drawing on data from PetSmart Charities, Gallup,…

In a recent column for Today’s Veterinary Business, Mark Cushing makes a case that the veterinary profession is hampered by two fixable policy failures: restrictive license portability rules and the absence of a Spanish-language version of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Cushing argues that outdated, state-by-state licensing barriers unnecessarily limit veterinarians’ ability to…

In a wide-ranging year-end analysis for Today’s Veterinary Business, Mark Cushing reviews the regulatory, legal, and economic developments that shaped the veterinary industry in 2025 and outlines what remains unresolved as the profession moves into 2026. Cushing examines several major policy fronts, including telemedicine regulation, interstate licensing barriers, veterinary shortages, private equity ownership, artificial intelligence,…

Mark Cushing of the Animal Policy Group explores the growing relevance of “Spectrum of Care” in veterinary medicine in his latest column for Animal Health News and Views. While nearly every organization now acknowledges the term, Cushing argues that few take meaningful action to support its implementation. At the heart of the issue is whether…

In his latest piece for Animal Health News and Views, Mark Cushing of the Animal Policy Group breaks down the findings of PetSmart Charities’ new State of Pet Care Study, conducted with Gallup. The report underscores just how deeply Americans value their pets—97% consider them family—and how this shapes expectations for veterinary care. Cushing points…

Mark Cushing of the Animal Policy Group recently outlined three critical policy shifts reshaping veterinary care in his May column for Animal Health News and Views. He highlighted Colorado’s trailblazing move to license Veterinary Professional Associates (VPAs)—a mid-level role akin to human healthcare’s PAs. Despite opposition from major associations, Colorado voters approved the measure, and…

Mark Cushing, founder of the Animal Policy Group, co-authored a piece with Sam Geiling for Animal Health News and Views spotlighting growing tensions over the Council on Education’s (COE) new limits on distance learning in veterinary education. Presented at the AAVMC’s annual meeting, the COE’s rules cap preclinical distance learning at 15% and restrict individual…

Mark Cushing of the Animal Policy Group outlined six urgent reforms needed to modernize veterinary school accreditation in a recent Animal Health News and Views article. He argued that the Council on Education (COE), currently embedded within the AVMA, must become independent to ensure unbiased oversight. Cushing’s proposals include relocating COE operations, hiring a CEO…

This article originally appeared in Animal Health News and Views.  An impressive cadre of researchers, academicians and animal welfare leaders just published a peer-reviewed article in recent Frontiers in Veterinary Science. The authors hail from Colorado State University Animal-Human Policy Center, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Denver Dumb Friends League, Bureau of Animal Protection…

The veterinary industry was years behind human medicine in establishing virtual patient relationships. Thankfully, the tide is turning. Telemedicine’s short history in U.S. animal health care began with the 2016 formation of the Veterinary Innovation Council. That year also saw the council issue Model Practice Act language and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards…