Animal
Alternative Therapies
Revised May, 2010
The Ohio Veterinary
Medical Licensing Board has had multiple inquiries regarding the
ability of animal massage therapists and other allied health professionals
to perform therapies on animals and not violate the veterinary
practice act. The Board appreciates these individuals willingness
to understand and work within the law and rules of the veterinary
practice act. Basically, the use of massage therapy to treat a
medical condition of an animal is the practice of veterinary
medicine and should be monitored by a veterinarian.
It is not
the intent of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board to restrict
the practice of alternative therapy practitioners as long as they
are not straying into the field of diagnosing and medical
treatment of animals. The Board reiterates that if the animal
practitioner is performing therapy for the purpose of relaxation
or other non-medical purposes, then it is not considered the practice
of veterinary medicine and is permissible. For instance, an animal
that has inhibitions regarding travel may require massage therapy
to relax it. In the event of a medical situation a veterinarian
can certainly prescribe such services as a therapist can provide
or the therapist can work under the supervision of the veterinarian
as long as the veterinarian maintains the medical supervision
for the animal.
You can access
the Board's web site at www.ovmlb.ohio.gov
for updates regarding the Veterinary Medical Practice Act.
Equine dentistry
is not included as an alternative therapy. Section 4741.19(C)
ORC specifically states that a registered veterinary technician
operating under direct veterinary supervision may perform equine
dental procedures, including the floating of molars, premolars,
and canine teeth; removal of deciduous teeth; and the extraction
of first premolars or wolf teeth. The Board has taken the position
that since this procedure is specifically mentioned in law as
being a duty for RVTs, it is not permissible for other practitioners
to perform to perform dental prophylaxis (RC 4741.19(C)(2)(b))or
equine dental procedures, unless the practitioner is a dentist
working at the direction of a veterinarian or a veterinarian.