Wes McKinley

DENVER - According to the State House of Representatives, farmers, ranchers and pet owners should be able to choose appropriate medical care for their animals. House Bill 1296, sponsored by State Representative Wes McKinley (D-Walsh) received initial approval today.

Alternatives to traditional veterinary care -- such as massage or holistic treatments -- are increasingly popular because they can be less expensive and, some say, as effective as traditional care. Rep. McKinley’s proposal allows non-veterinarians to treat, care for, train or assist an animal, if the person complies with the state’s animal protection laws and does not perform surgery or prescribe drugs.

“My bill will give owners the right to choose alternative health practices and alternative animal husbandry,” said Rep. McKinley. “Under the current Colorado Veterinarian Act, an owner or employee can perform routine animal husbandry practices, things like castrating a bull -- or dehorning -- which is pretty invasive surgery. Yet under that same Act, a massage therapist cannot massage your dog or your horse, or do acupressure, or herbal therapy, without a licensed veterinarian being present.
“So this bill gives you the owner the right to hire an agent to perform alternative animal husbandry practices on your animal. It does not mean in any way that it’s going to replace the veterinarian medicine. Truly, we are moving away from micromanaging people’s lives and animal’s lives. We’re going to give you choices and let you take responsibility.”