Therapists And Animals

Working With Animals by Jane Thurnell-Read

Many students and practitioners in the UK are unclear about the legal restrictions on treating animals. So, can therapists work with animals to help them?

This web site gives a very clear and precise interpretation of the current law.

The information below is taken from an interesting animal health web site.

"Summary of the key points of the Law in relation to complementary therapies for animals:

"The only forms of complementary therapy that can be given to an animal by anyone other than a vet are the manipulative therapies - eg. Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Physiotherapy. Before any of these complementary treatments are given to an animal its condition must be diagnosed by a vet. The therapy may then only be given if the vet decides it appropriate.

"It is illegal for any other lay practitioner to treat animals. This includes Aromatherapy, Acupuncture and Homeopathy. These therapies can be given by a vet - and only then if that vet has been trained in their use.

"Properly trained and qualified animal manipulative therapists are members of their respective professional bodies and should be covered by indemnity insurance (in a similar way to vets themselves) which protects you should anything go wrong. The irony is that "practitioners" who are not properly trained and qualified will not have this insurance and if anything, are more likely to do something wrong - whereas professional animal manipulative therapists with the insurance are, like vets, most unlikely to do something wrong!"

For more detailed information visit the web page. There is also more information at which is the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons web site.