Pennsylvania, like many states, is facing a shortage of veterinarians and 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, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to update Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Medicine Practice Act to allow Pennsylvania licensed veterinarians to use telehealth when medically appropriate. The goal is to improve access to care, reduce delays in treatment and give veterinarians additional flexibility to meet growing 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. Veterinarians would continue to determine when an in-person examination is necessary.

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.

The legislation also establishes clear standards by:

• Requiring a veterinarian-client-patient relationship before veterinary medical services may be provided.
• Applying the same standard of care to telehealth as to in-person services.
• Requiring disclosure of telehealth limitations and informed consent from the owner or caretaker of the animal.
• Ensuring that only veterinarians licensed in Pennsylvania may provide telehealth services to animals located within the Commonwealth.
• Preserving existing limitations on prescribing controlled substances without an in-person examination.

This legislation updates Pennsylvania law while maintaining strong protections for animal health and safety and helps address ongoing access and workforce challenges facing veterinarians and animal owners across the Commonwealth.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.