As an organization committed to supporting licensed veterinary technicians and protecting high standards of veterinary care, the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association believes it is important to correct the record on a claim made in the June 4 article Colorado regulators hit speed bump in VPA rulemaking. Georgia statutes and rules are clear that any individual who is not a licensed veterinarian in Georgia may not perform surgery.

Georgia statutes and rules do not permit anyone who is not a licensed veterinarian in Georgia to perform elective sterilization surgery, including in shelter-specific practices. It is imperative that neither the VPAs seeking employment in Georgia at shelters nor the shelters themselves be misled.

Furthermore, if an individual were to come to Georgia with a VPA degree alone, that individual would be permitted to work as a veterinary assistant. They would not be permitted to work under the scope of practice reserved for licensed veterinary technicians unless they met the qualifications in Georgia for licensure as a veterinary technician and obtained that license.

In shelter medicine, Georgia has worked to provide temporary licensing for veterinary technicians licensed in other states so they can assist, within their scope of practice, in Georgia shelters providing spay and neuter services. We recognize the value of licensed veterinary technicians and the ways they improve the care of animals through their nursing skills, husbandry and client education. As paraprofessionals, they are highly valued in practice.

The article noted that the VIN News Service reviewed all 50 state practice acts and found that even in states with relatively broad shelter-delegation provisions, nonveterinarians are barred from making a diagnosis, prescribing, and performing surgery. However, an opinion was rendered and shared by Dr. Shari Lanning, director of the VPA-degree-granting program at Colorado State University, indicating that Georgia has a shelter-specific exemption for elective sterilization surgery and medical care, and that the state would likely allow VPAs to practice within eligible shelters. Dr. Lanning did go on to say it is best to check directly to confirm.

Because this article has a national reach, the GVMA feels it imperative to respond directly to ensure it is broadly understood that there is no circumstance in Georgia that would allow a VPA to perform elective sterilization surgery. Regarding medical care such as vaccination, euthanasia or emergency treatment, such individuals would be working under the rules and regulations that apply to a veterinary assistant in Georgia.

Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine Rule 700-15 covers the supervision responsibilities of veterinary assistants, including immediate, direct and indirect supervision. For example, under immediate supervision, a veterinary assistant can administer euthanasia. Under indirect supervision, a veterinary assistant can administer vaccinations, excluding rabies vaccines. There is also some very limited emergency care that a veterinary assistant can provide for an emergency animal patient under indirect supervision.

It is very important to note that there are many restrictions that apply to a veterinary assistant:

• They cannot make a diagnosis or prognosis.
• They cannot prescribe treatments, drugs or medications.
• They may not perform surgery.
• They may not perform a nonemergency intubation or administer anesthesia.
• They may not administer rabies vaccines.
• They may not identify themselves as a veterinary technician.

To reiterate, an individual who has graduated with a VPA will be considered only a veterinary assistant in Georgia unless they have the qualifications, have applied for, and have been granted licensure as a veterinary technician in the state.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify what is permitted in Georgia regarding a VPA.

Keri Riddick, DVM, is executive director of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.