"Dedicated to Promoting Optimum Animal Welfare and Supporting Responsible Choice in Animal Health Care".
In 2002 a complaint was lodged with the AVMA (since changed to ABVMA) against Louis Pequin, an equine dentist. The AVMA took the stance that Pequin was illegally practicing veterinary medicine, and so took the case to court … and lost. They lost in the Court of Queen’s Bench, they lost in the Court of Appeals, and the AVMA’s application to the Supreme Court was also denied. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled:
“The statutes creating these professional monopolies, sanctioned by law, access to which is controlled and which protect their members in good standing who meet the required conditions against any competition, must however be strictly applied. Anything which is not clearly prohibited may be done with impunity by anyone not a member of these closed associations.”
In 2006 the ABVMA began the process of lobbying the provincial government to make amendments to their definition of veterinary medicine in the Veterinary Profession Act (VPA) regarding "Scope of Practice". The definition of veterinary medicine that the ABVMA had proposed would have been more extensive than all other provinces, and was intended to be a leading model of high standards of veterinary care in Canada. However, as the proposed definition read, it would have also severely limited the choices of Animal Owner’s when it came to the care of their animals, and the livelihoods of all people involved in providing non-veterinary animal health care. It would have been illegal for the following non-vet practitioners to work unless under the direction of a Veterinarian: Equine Dentistry, Animal/Equine Chiropractic, Animal/Equine Massage Therapy, Kineisiolgy /Muscle Testing, Herbalist, Acupuncturist, Aromatherapist, Rehabilitation Therapies, Craniosacral Therapy, Acupressure Therapy, Light + Magnet Therapy, Animal Communication.
In a response to this ABVMA action, the AAAOR, a not for profit organization, was created. It was comprised by a vast array of individuals including Animal Owner’s, practitioners of Alternative/Complimentary Therapies, some members of the ABVMA and a lawyer, the same lawyer who represented Louis Pequin in 2002. The AAAOR was created to provide a platform which would support and (attempt to) protect, Alberta Animal Owner’s and Their Rights as well as non-veterinary practitioner’s.
The AAAOR recently received a copy of the 2011 ABVMA Proposed Resolutions, which will be available in it’s entirety to AAAOR members. Once again the ABVMA will be attempting to provide direction to the Government of Alberta in an effort to amend the VPA and once again the AAAOR will be actively educating and informing Animal Owner’s of the ABVMA’s intentions.
The 2011 Proposal is vague, to say the least, and therefore subject to personal interpretation. The general consensus though, is that the ABVMA once again, is looking to regulate and control ALL aspects of animal health by incorporating a Veterinary Para-Professional technologist amendment to the VPA. This is described in their proposal as "The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has published a definition of "Veterinary Para-Professional…meaning a person who, for the purpose of the Terrestrial Animal Code, is authorized by the Veterinary Statutory Body (i.e. ABVMA) to carry out certain designated tasks (depending upon the category of veterinary para-professional) in a territory (i.e. Alberta), and delegated to them under the responsibility and direction of a veterinarian. The tasks for each category of veterinary para-professional should be defined by the veterinary statutory body depending on the qualifications and training, according to need".
We feel it is safe to say, this action again will exempt the majority of Alternative/Complimentary Therapists as well as deny the Animal Owners of their freedom of choice. The proposal does make mention of certain potential identified groups and how they will be governed "whereby each such group might be considered for registration. If they are to be registered their education, use of title, required registration and membership, scope of practice allowed, level of supervision, accountability to the public through a regulated complaints process, and other issues will be defined in the Regulations." Again, leaving the fate of all aspects of animal health in the hands of the ABVMA. Not to mention having a devastating effect on all current practitioners as the ABVMA begins to pick and choose who will be regulated and who will be left with the hard decision of working illegally or finding a new career.
We would like to make it VERY clear at this time, that the AAAOR, is NOT against Veterinarians. We respect them as a vital and integral part of animal health care. Many non-vet practitioners, are fortunate enough to work with some wonderful, cooperative and supportive Vets in an effort to promote and encourage the optimal health of their patients. The intention of the AAAOR, is to provide a platform from which Animal Owner’s can protect their freedom of choice and practitioner’s can protect their livelihoods. We offer the question, "Why can’t practitioners work with the vets, instead of under them?" We believe that animal health care should be a co-operative and co-creative experience, with the Animal Owner having the final and ultimate decision on what the most appropriate and effective care is for their animal as well as who is to provide that service.
We would like to include some quotes for your consideration:
On page 9 of the 2004 AVMA Annual Report, it states,…“Ours is a profession where the public is poorly equipped to assess expertise and it is [the AVMA’s] job to judge it for them.”
On page 7 of the 2007 AVMA Annual Report, “Eyes to the Future…" under Dr. Duane Landal’s "Registrar’s Report"…. "Considerable financial and human resources have been expended over the last few years in an attempt to address the deficiency in the Veterinary Profession Act that was identified by the Court of Alberta. There is a need to clarify the definition of veterinary medicine in the legislation as the current one poses problems for the court in interpretation. Despite the significance of this issue for Council, they have accepted the fact that it is a low priority for the Government of Alberta at this time. This is understandable given the breadth of problems politicians are facing within our expanding economy. This item will remain at the forefront of issues of concern for the AVMA until it can be satisfactorily resolved. We will, however, step back from our active pursuit of an amendment until such time that there is a reasonable expectation of success. In the meantime, Council holds to their interpretation of the definition of veterinary medicine, as they believe it was intended to be, and will deal with arising cases accordingly."
The AAAOR is currently working with many practitioners towards organization, structuring and standardization of the Complimentary Therapies industry in AB. Although we do not believe a Veterinary monopoly will be in anyone’s best interests, we do believe guidelines and regulations are absolutely necessary to protect the animals, the public and the practitioners. Please pass along this information to anyone that you feel may be impacted by this situation as well as any Alternative/ Complimentary Therapists that you may work with/know so that they too can be involved in the process.
Please..take the time to become a member (refer to the “What Can you Do” & “Membership” pages of this website) and also inform yourselves of the previous ABVMA proposal and the issues that Alberta Animal Owner’s are now facing. Please get involved, have your voice heard and help to inform others of this potential threat to our freedom of choice.
A Facebook page has been created under “Alberta Association for Animal Owner’s Rights” as another platform for the public/our member’s to receive information and become involved. If you are on Facebook please search the above mentioned name and click on the “like” box.You can also pass the Facebook Page info along by clicking the "share" link at the bottom left side of the page.
Thank you for your support and dedication to protecting your rights as Animal Owner’s!!