LAKEWOOD, Colorado – November 19, 2018 – In a future-focused move, AAHA announced it is lending its voice in support of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative.

The AAHA Board of Directors voted to support the initiative during their fall meeting. AAHA staff, which is made up of nearly 35% veterinary technicians, recommended the initiative be supported by the AAHA Board of Directors.

“At AAHA, we are all about standardization and excellence,” said AAHA Chief Executive Officer Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (Emeritus). “By standardizing the term ‘veterinary nurse’, we increase consistency throughout the profession while also growing professional recognition and relevancy among pet owners. Ultimately, this makes our profession stronger.”

In 2017, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) formed the Veterinary Nurse Initiative coalition seeking to unite the profession under a single title, credentialing requirements, and scope of practice. The goal of the initiative is to standardize the credential for the profession throughout the nation, with a goal of having a standardized title in use in all 50 states. In 2018, the initiative worked in two states to pass legislation for the “registered veterinary nurse” title change.

“The word ‘technician’ does not come close to encapsulating all of the care and passion these dedicated professionals share with their patients and clients,” Cavanaugh said. “The Veterinary Nurse designation better aligns with the wide variety of valuable skills they perform every day to help clients and patients benefit from the human animal bond.”