Kent State University at Tuscarawas Veterinary Technology program lecturer Kinglsy Berlin recently gave testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives’ Agriculture and Rural Development Committee in Columbus in support of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative.
A Veterinary Technology instructor at Kent State Tuscarawas for the past five years, Berlin spoke in favor of HB 501, which, if passed, will change the title of a registered veterinary technician to that of registered veterinary nurse in the Ohio Revised and Administrative Codes.
“I am in support of HB 501 because the title change will more accurately reflect what we do. It allows the public to better understand our role, training, and scope of abilities,” said Berlin. “This will also allow us to attract more students to our program.”
This hearing was set in motion by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA). Ohio and Tennessee are the first two states trying to pass this legislation. Berlin explained that the title change will standardize credentialing, which varies from state to state.
If HB 501 passes the committee, it will go to the House floor sometime in the next few weeks. Then it will go to the senate in late spring or next fall, and Berlin will testify once more.
Along with Berlin, Melissa Best, Veterinary Technology program coordinator at Kent State Trumbull, also gave testimony in support of the bill. Other witnesses included a veterinarian from The Ohio State University, a representative from NAVTA, a veterinarian from the Columbus State Vet Tech program and a registered veterinarian technician from the Ohio Association of Veterinarian Technicians.
Berlin earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Animal Sciences from The Ohio State University and an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Kent State Tuscarawas.
Kent State Tuscarawas is located at 300 University Dr. NE, in New Philadelphia.