Mission Pet Health Opposes Veterinary Professional Associate Role

In a position statement, Mission Pet Health acknowledged the intent behind the VPA role but contended that it undermines established care standards within veterinary medicine. The organization emphasized the extensive training and education required for veterinarians, which includes an undergraduate degree followed by a veterinary medicine curriculum consisting of at least 130 weeks of direct instruction and 40 weeks of hands-on clinical experience. In contrast, Mission Pet Health criticized the VPA pathway for lacking this rigorous academic and clinical foundation, suggesting this could compromise patient care and trust in the profession.

The organization also expressed concerns about the potential risks to supervising veterinarians, whose licenses could be jeopardized based on the actions of VPAs who are less trained. They believe this situation may worsen existing workforce challenges instead of alleviating them.

Regarding the VPA role's objective of improving rural and low-income access to care, Mission Pet Health is skeptical, arguing that younger veterinarians typically avoid underserved areas, making it unlikely that VPAs would fill this gap. Projections indicate that the supply of veterinary school graduates in the U.S. will meet demand through 2035. Additionally, the organization pointed to declining clinical volumes, fewer new client visits, and an increase in technology adoption to reduce veterinarian burnout, suggesting that VPAs would compete directly with recent graduates for limited work opportunities.

Instead of supporting the creation of a mid-level role, Mission Pet Health advocates for enhanced roles for credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVTs), who operate within established education and licensing frameworks. The organization supports expanding the scope of practice for licensed veterinary technicians and the development of veterinary technician specialist programs. They argue that empowering CrVTs to take on more responsibilities will improve patient care without compromising quality or safety.

The VPA role was established following Colorado's approval of Proposition 129 in November 2024, which passed with approximately 52.2% of the vote despite objections from over 200 veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. House Bill 25-1285, which formalized the VPA role, took effect on January 1, 2026. To qualify as a VPA, candidates must earn a master's degree, pass a credentialing exam, and register with the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

Notably, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) has voiced its opposition to endorsing the VPA role, stating that Proposition 129 circumvented traditional legislative processes. VPAs will have the authority to diagnose, perform surgeries, and conduct tests under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, although they cannot prescribe medication or establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Mission Pet Health's stance is mirrored by other organizations, including the AVMA and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), which have raised similar concerns about the VPA role.