DID YOU KNOW THAT the following are considered the Practice of Veterinary Medicine in Florida? According to a decision made by the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine on March 2, 2004, these are all considered the practice of veterinary medicine...

  • 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

Therefore, in Florida, the use of these with an animal by anyone other than a veterinarian or the owner of the animal or his regular employee could be considered the practice of veterinary medicine without a license. If these things are considered veterinary medicine in Florida, you can probably think of other things that would be in question as well.

Violation of this law is a third degree felony, which carries a maximum penalty of a 5-year prison term and a $5,000 fine (ss. 474.213, 775.082, and 775.083, Florida Statutes).

If this decision bothers you and you'd like to see changes in the law to allow non-veterinarians to provide these services, join the Florida Alliance for Animal Owners Rights and contact your state legislator! We are seeking legal resolution to this far-reaching Florida law.

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  • FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR ANIMAL OWNERS RIGHTS

  • 1912 Hoot Owl Hill
  • Tallahassee, Florida 32317
  • Contact: info [at] faaor dot org