Legislative Update Florida Veterinary Board Grabs Market Share on alternative therapies
On March 2, 2004, the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine made a decision that the following animal health care services are the practice of veterinary medicine under current law:
* Acupressure - Applying pressure to specific points to promote optimum energy flow
* Aromatherapy - Inhalation, ingestion, or topical application of essential aromatic oils from plants to promote good health
* Animal communication - Interpreting the thoughts of an animal
* Farriery - Trimming and placing shoes on horses' hooves
* Flower essence therapy - Ingestion of distilled extracts from flowers to enhance emotional health
* Hands on healing - Laying hands on the body to channel energy
* Homeopathy - The use of plant, mineral or other substances in minute, diluted amounts to stimulate self-healing
* Light therapy - Shining red and infrared light on the body to promote energy flow and circulation
* Magnet therapy - Using magnets to create a magnetic field that increases circulation, oxygen utilization and energy flow
* Nutritional counseling - Offering advice about nutrition
This decision illustrates the need for changes in Florida law so that these services and others may be provided for animals by people who are not veterinarians. It also illustrates the need for animal owners in Florida to join together to show veterinarians and legislators there is a need for updating the law to reflect modern day business practices. Finally, if there are veterinarians who disagree with the Board's decision, they should advise the Veterinary Board or the Florida Veterinary Medical Association.
Source: Florida Alliance for Animal Owners Rights. CONTACT: N. Stephens, nshorizons@att.net