While the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) has largely been known as an organization that provides world-class continuing professional development and support services for the global veterinary healthcare community, many times it is forgotten that our community includes those besides veterinarians, veterinary nurses, practice managers, and support staff. Pet owners and clients are the backbone of veterinary healthcare, but it is neither clients nor veterinary professionals making some of the big decisions in the industry—decisions that in some cases profoundly impact the veterinary profession.
That is why the NAVC has launched a new Pet Health Advocacy platform. As members of this community, we want to share our feedback regarding legislative and regulatory initiatives related to pet health.
The NAVC does not want to sit on the sidelines. The objective of this brand-new initiative is to give the entire community a voice. We will strive to bring proposed legislation, rules, and regulations impacting animal health to the forefront and build a group of educated, engaged, and enthusiastic grassroots advocates. We want to hear feedback from the people who will be directly affected by issues such as access to animal health services, telemedicine, taxes on veterinary services, and the continuing veterinary shortages. And we need you to be part of the conversation.
Becoming an advocate is easy. Sign up at navc.com/advocacy to receive emails and updates on proposed legislation, rules, and regulations. For example, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act was recently reintroduced to Congress; if passed, this bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Sign up today to receive updates on the journey of this bill and voice your support or opposition through signing petitions, emailing policymakers, tweeting representatives, making phone calls, and more.
The concerns of constituents are a top priority for elected officials. That’s why influential organizations create grassroots advocacy programs that empower their communities to use their voices for change. Lend your voice to our profession and our patients by signing up as a pet advocate.