What is wrong with our government these days? We have record unemployment, a major and ongoing recession, homes and businesses in foreclosure, we’re billions of dollars in debt. BTW, I’m just talking about the state of California. With everything going on here, doesn’t our legislature have anything better to do than to make insane legislation prohibiting us from seeking treatments for our pets; all of which are readily available to us, and our children?
I’m speaking of a current bill before the California legislature (AB 1980) requiring that anyone who performs any type of “treatment” on an animal must be a DMV. This would include acupuncture, massage therapy, TTouch, physical therapy, etc. It doesn’t matter if the practitioner is certified, licensed, and has a long history of providing quality care; they won’t be able to practice on your pet if this law is enacted. And, if it is, our pets will miss out on many very beneficial treatments, because few Vets or Vet Techs are trained in, or practice these modalities.
If I want a massage, acupuncture, or to visit a chiropractor, he or she isn’t required to be an MD to practice… So why should my pet’s practitioner be required to be a DMV? That’s just insane!
Let’s stop the insanity… You can make a difference and protect our pets! BTW, while this is about a specific piece of Ca. legislation, this issue is not limited to California. These types of laws are popping up all over the country, and we need to be informed and take action to maintain our control over our pets’ health and well being!
EVERYONE can sign and forward this petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protectcomplementaryvettherapies/
Also, please be proactive and contact the legislators in YOUR state. The following is a form letter you can use… For California residents a list of email addresses will follow this form letter:
"Dear ______,
I am writing with great concern regarding California Bill AB 1980, which would prohibit the practice of "veterinary medicine" without a license and specifies that a person practices veterinary medicine when he or she, among other things, represents himself or herself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine or administers a treatment of whatever nature for the cure or relief of a bodily injury or disease of an animal.
Providers of complementary therapies such as massage therapists, physical rehabilitation specialists, and more do not claim to provide veterinary care. Yet for equine athletes, aging and infirm horses and even companion animals, these services are often essential to performance or wellness. This bill would provide that any person who practices complementary therapies for the benefit of an animal would be committing a crime. Veterinarians and technicians do not have the training, time or inclination to perform therapies. Owners will be left without access to vital care, and an entire industry will be put out of business.
Should such a bill come before you in the state of ____, I urge you to consider voting against it.
Many thanks for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,_____"
Email to your California Assemblyperson and Senator to ask them to vote no on AB1980!
Assemblymember.hayashi@assembly.ca.gov Senator.aanestad@sen.ca.gov
Great news, the bill is being rewritten and the offending language is being removed. Thanks to all who contacted their reps. and made their voices heard... we did it! We made a difference for our pets!
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