Pennsylvania, like many states, is facing a shortage of veterinarians while experiencing growing demand for veterinary services. Animal welfare organizations, shelters, rescues and veterinary providers across the Commonwealth are having increasing difficulty securing timely care and managing caseloads.

I will soon introduce legislation to update Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Medicine Practice Act to allow Pennsylvania veterinarians to provide telehealth service when medically appropriate. The goal is to improve access to care, reduce delays in treatment and give veterinarians additional flexibility to meet demand while maintaining existing professional standards.

Under current law, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship generally requires an in-person examination before veterinary medical services may be provided through telehealth. This legislation would allow that relationship to be established through real-time audio and video communication.

Telehealth is not intended to replace in-person veterinary care, but to serve as an additional tool to support continuity of care, improve access for animal owners and animal welfare organizations, and assist with follow-up and ongoing treatment.

Please consider joining me in this effort to modernize the law, maintain strong protections for animal welfare, and address ongoing access and workforce challenges facing animal owners and veterinarians across the Commonwealth.