|
A
Horse, Of Course
by Don Blazer |
Greed
and ignorance are making veterinarians, specifically the American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) propose some pretty freedom
limiting, and maybe health limiting rules and regulations.
The Revised Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) also makes me
think the rule "proposers" are suffering limited thinking
due to their grossly oversized egos. Veterinarians are not the
only good horsemen and women.
The recently proposed MVPA would put an end to holistic medical
treatments for animals, affect your right to practice natural
healing methods and limit treatments to traditional veterinary
medicine.
According to the proposed MVPA the "practice of veterinary
medicine means: a) to diagnose, treat, correct, change, alleviate,
or prevent animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury,
or other physical, dental, or mental conditions by any method
or mode, including: i. the prescriptions, dispensing, administration,
or application of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, anesthetic,
or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or medical or surgical
technique, or ii. the use of complementary, alternative, and integrative
therapies, or iii. the use of any manual or mechanical procedure
for reproductive management, or iv. the rendering of advice or
recommendation by any means including telephonic and other electronic
communications with regard to any of the above.
b) To represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately,
an ability and willingness to do an act described in subsection
18 a. Subsection 18 a is the definition of veterinary medicine-a
definition which pretty much eliminates anyone, anywhere, from
doing anything to help any animal at any time, unless you are
a good dues paying member of AVMA.
Good-by homeopathy, Reiki, massage, Moxabustion, acupuncture and
chiropractic assistance. Good-by anyone and everyone who wants
to help horses and do it without "drug therapy or surgery."
A member of AVMA and a certified acupuncturist told me, "veterinarians
who oppose the use of acupuncture, Reiki and homeopathic treatment
generally don't understand and haven't made an effort to educate
themselves." "Most of the time," this veterinarian
said, "I believe their opposition is based on a fear of losing
income."
I think that is a perfect diagnosis.
"Don't understand" and have not made "an effort
to educate themselves" sounds like ignorance to me.
As for the greed, in a recent AVMA Consumer Demographic Report,
according to the Ancient Healing Arts Association, it was estimated
that animal owners spent an average of $35 per month on "non-traditional"
veterinary care. That adds up to nearly $40 million per year that
veterinarians are not getting, but want.
I'm not a big advocate of traditional veterinary care, nor am
I a big advocate of "natural healing." I see myself
as an advocate of doing "what seems best for the horse at
the time." When you need a veterinarian, you need a veterinarian.
Actually, most of the time, you don't need one.
There are lots of health-helpful things which should be considered
before any "healer" is called. A tincture of time often
works miracles. On the other hand, sometimes it is necessary to
suture a major wound.
In any case, I think it is the AVMA creed which directs a veterinarian
to "do no harm."
I think it is pretty obvious the AVMA proposal would do harm to
thousands of horses if they couldn't get acupuncture, holistic
help, massage or a healing touch.
Before thinking medicine, horse owners should provide their horses
with plenty of fresh air, exercise and a nutritious diet. Then
horse owners should not be afraid to ask questions and consider
all forms of health care. Finally, objections to, or claims for
any treatment without convincing explanation or evidence of thorough
understanding should be avoided.
Act to benefit the horse.
www.donblazer.com
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