# Animal Policy Group, LLC

> Animal Policy Group is a Scottsdale-based consultancy that works in the narrow, consequential territory where animal health meets law. Founded by attorney and political strategist Mark Cushing, the firm tracks more than 2,500 bills a year, advises veterinary schools on accreditation, organizes coalitions, and helps pet-industry companies and associations navigate regulation in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

- **Founded:** 2008
- **Headquarters:** Scottsdale, United States
- **Founders:** Mark L. Cushing (Founder and CEO)
- **Products:** Government Relations, Accreditation Guidance and Support, Industry Strategies and Counsel, Data and Research Hub, APG|O’Hara Research & Analytics
- **Notable:** Built a national monitoring operation covering more than 2,500 bills annually across all 50 state legislatures., Helped veterinary programs including Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Arizona navigate school development and accreditation., Co-founded the Veterinary Virtual Care Association in 2020.

## Products & services

- **Government Relations** — Tracks more than 2,500 state bills annually, monitors veterinary and pharmacy boards, prepares client reports, and supports testimony and advocacy.
- **Accreditation Guidance and Support** — Advises veterinary schools and veterinary nursing and technology programs on new programs, class expansion, and accreditation processes.
- **Industry Strategies and Counsel** — Provides strategic advice, coalition development, trade-association engagement, and regulatory navigation for animal-health ventures and organizations.
- **Data and Research Hub** — Publishes and organizes animal-policy data and research for industry users.
- **APG|O’Hara Research & Analytics** — A joint venture created with Kerry O’Hara to provide consumer research and decision support across North American animal health.

## Achievements

- Built a national monitoring operation covering more than 2,500 bills annually across all 50 state legislatures.
- Helped veterinary programs including Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Arizona navigate school development and accreditation.
- Co-founded the Veterinary Virtual Care Association in 2020.
- Helped organize the push for Colorado Proposition 129, approved by voters in 2024 with 52.76% of the vote.
- Founder Mark Cushing received the 2023 Veterinary Innovation Summit Veterinary Innovation Award.
- Expanded from corporate and school consulting into technician advocacy through NAVTA’s Veterinary Nurse Initiative in 2017.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, whose accreditation effort had received guidance from Cushing, announced full AVMA accreditation.
- **2026-01** — Colorado’s voter-created veterinary professional associate framework took effect, with registration and supervision requirements shaped by subsequent legislation.
- **2025-11** — APPA reported completed pet-inclusive housing advocacy projects and outcomes achieved in partnership with Animal Policy Group.
- **2025-05** — Colorado enacted HB25-1285, clarifying registration, delegation, and supervision rules for veterinary professional associates after Proposition 129.
- **2024-11** — Colorado voters approved Proposition 129, creating the country’s first state-regulated veterinary professional associate role.

## Links

- Website: https://animalpolicygroup.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apgllc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/Animal-Policy-Group/153995121338856

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/animal-policy-group-llc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-21