Insights

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…

Originally published in Animal Health News and Views – https://animalhealthnewsandviews.com/analyzing-the-issues-surrounding-veterinary-team-member-classification/ Much discussion these days swirls around the broad topic of Veterinary team members, which breaks down into three categories: (1) Veterinary Technicians/Nurses, (2) Veterinary Technician Specialists, and (3) Mid-Level Professionals, often referred to as VPAs, which plays off the human healthcare Mid-professional PAs. These discussions are affected, of course, by the…

Originally published in Animal Health News and Views – https://animalhealthnewsandviews.com/one-person-can-make-a-difference/ If you permit, I’d like to share some news about a new employee of my Animal Policy Group, Samantha (“Sam”) Geiling, RVT, of Burnsville, Minnesota. Sam was just awarded Vet Tech of the Year by the national association, NAVTA. She became my Chief of Staff last June and earned this…

Originally Published in Todays Veterinary Business – https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/politics-and-policy-2023-1223/ With most legislative sessions closed and 2024 around the corner, let’s look at the governmental and regulatory trends that shaped policy in 2023. My team tracked almost 2,000 bills affecting the veterinary profession and animal welfare. As the workforce shortage becomes more acute, understanding which policy solutions…