Joint Board and House Report

The CVMA Board of Governors (BOG) and House of Delegates (HOD) convened on June 9 at the Pacific Veterinary Conference in Long Beach for a semi-annual leadership meeting to discuss current issues facing the California veterinary profession.

In the morning session, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Associate Dean Dr. Joie Watson and Western University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Interim Dean Dr. John Tegzes gave updates on recent activities at both veterinary schools, respectively assisted by student representatives Sarah Meil and Inez Rivero. CVMA Executive Director Dan Baxter and Director of Regulatory Affairs Dr. Grant Miller gave an update on 2023 California legislation. Of particular concern to the profession are AB 1399 (Friedman) regarding veterinary telemedicine and AB 814 (Lowenthal), which will permit physical therapists to provide services to animals without veterinarian supervision. The CVMA has actively voiced opposition concerns over these bills, yet legislators continue to progress both.

In the afternoon sessions, the BOG conducted its regular quarterly meeting addressing various items of business, while the HOD heard a legislative proposal from Stephen Cital, RVT, RLAT, SRA, CVPP, VTS- LAM (Res. Anesthesia). The proposal, slated for the 2024 California legislative session, would permit RVTs who hold specialty certifications to diagnose injuries two meetings mentioned previously, both of which alternate yearly between appealing venues in northern and southern California. The summer meeting is held in conjunction with the CVMA’s Pacific Veterinary Conference (PacVet), allowing delegates to engage in CVMA leadership activities and pick up valuable CE in one convenient trip!

Join Us!

CVMA members interested in HOD service should contact their constituent group liaison or the CVMA’s HOD staff liaison, Dr. Grant Miller, at gmiller@cvma.net.

and illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform select surgeries by obtaining onthe-job training while working under the oversight of a veterinarian pursuant to a written agreement.

The next CVMA joint Board and House meeting will be held in Costa Mesa in January of 2024.