Pet
the Puppy BillHouse Bill 1042 will make this possible by de-criminalizing
the act of administering animal massage without veterinary supervision.
Representative Wes McKinley and Senator Greg Brophy are the sponsors of this
important bill for animal owners that sailed through the House and the Senate
this winter with unanimous approval. If signed by Governor Ritter in the
coming weeks, HB 1042 will pave the way for animal massage practitioners to
practice their trade without veterinary supervision.
The bill sets an educational standard for practitioners which was paramount in
gaining the much needed support and respect of the veterinary community.
Setting a standard will also help to make the practice of animal massage more
credible and consistent thereby giving animal owners more peace of mind.
Members of the Colorado Alliance for Animal Owners’ Rights (CAAOR) worked
for the second year in a row to educate the legislators on the importance of
the bill and gain the full support of the Colorado Veterinary Medical
Association. Senator Brophy, who voted against the more broadly worded bill in
2007, agreed to sponsor the revised bill in 2008, which he now calls “my pet
the puppy bill”.
The bill will likely be written into law by August, clearing the way for
animal owners to lawfully choose from an ever growing population of animal
massage practitioners providing massage, acupressure and other bodywork aimed
at maintaining the health and prolonging the lives of Colorado’s many beloved
pets.
Lisa Speaker is the founder of the Colorado Alliance for Animal Owners’ Rights
and the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage.