New Ohio law removes barriers to pet care

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new law in Ohio is removing barriers to care for people with pets.

It’s an issue that was highlighted during the pandemic. A recent study by Gallup shows that more than half of pet owners have skipped vet visits. Now, a central Ohio animal protection agency is hoping that will change.

There are many reasons a pet owner may skip vet care, from cost to lack of transportation or the potential stress it could cause for the pet. This new law is meant to address all of that and transform access to vet care in the state.

"You really saw how transformative telemedicine was with the COVID-19 pandemic and human medicine," Columbus Humane Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Advent said. 

Now, Columbus Humane is helping bring that change to the vet field.

"Senate Bill 60 was really transformative because it allows for that veterinarian-client-patient relationship to be established either in-person or virtually," Advent said. 

That relationship is important because without it, a vet cannot treat, diagnose, or prescribe for an animal.

"It will save us a trip to the vet. It will save him some stress going to the vet. So I think it'll be a good option," Grandview resident Lauren Noseworthy said. 

This will help Noseworthy, her dog Norman, and others they know, too.

"I know other pet owners, not like Norman and I, who have a dog who's very anxious and they need to give them gabapentin or trazodone to go to the vet," Noseworthy said. 

"Even things as routine as monthly heartworm prevention require that relationship to be in good standing in Ohio," Advent said. 

Now, many more pet owners are going to be able to access those routine medicines for their animals.

"We know that many people, in particular, underserved populations and low-income households, experience significant barriers to accessing veterinary care, whether that's geographical or transportation or financial related," Advent said. 

This law goes into effect at the end of September.

Columbus Humane will post a list of veterinarians in the area who will provide telehealth care. They hope to be able to provide telehealth soon as well.