At Harmony Vet, when we read an early draft of the proposal, we wanted to support it. It provided a way for veterinary technicians who chose to become mid-level practitioners like nurse practitioners or physician assistants in human medicine.
However, as the proposal evolved, it has become watered down and is now too broad and does not set clear guidelines for the procedures practitioners will be allowed to do or what body will decide what they can do. This uncertainty leaves room for misinterpretation and misunderstanding.
While we do not feel that we can support the proposal in its current form, we do feel that there is merit in creating a position of a mid-level practitioner in veterinary medicine in Colorado. Such a proposal will need to have clear and specific language about duties to be performed by the practitioner. We find it disappointing that the current plan is lacking this.
We will continue to encourage professional veterinary organizations both locally and nationally to create this position. We invite our clients to do the same.