State Reinstates License of Kirkland Vet Charged With Drug Abuse

A Kirkland veterinarian whose license was suspended in August because of drug abuse allegations has had her credentials reinstated pending treatment and was put on two years of probation.

Department of Health records show that the state Veterinary Board of Governors on Sept. 21 lifted its suspension of Cathy Johnson-Delaney’s license on the condition she seek an evaluation and treatment at a clinic in Atlanta, Ga., within 60 days. She was also placed on two years probation.

According to the original charges, Johnson-Delaney around March and April of this year on more than one occasion inhaled the anesthetic isoflourine at her clinic, , making her intoxicated and unconscious. She was also charged with diverting the drug alprazolam/xanax for her personal use.

Kate Lynch, a Department of Health spokeswoman, said the board sometimes grants probation on the condition of treatment in cases where the license holder caused no harm to patients or others.

Johnson-Delaney’s clinic, which moved in May from Juanita to the Totem Lake area, specializes in the treatment of birds, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, pet marsupials, hedgehogs, exotic carnivores, pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats, nonhuman primates, invertebrates and other exotic species, according to its website.

The clinic's office administrator said Thursday that Johnson-Delaney is on personal leave and out of state, and would be returning to the clinic in February.

A 1980 graduate of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Johnson-Delaney is, according to the website, “an international speaker on all aspects of nontraditional companion animals and is the author of the best-selling Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians."

Several clients and colleagues posted comments of support for her on a in August.

For the complete order reinstating Johnson-Delaney's license, see the attached PDF file.