Maryland Lawsuit over right to practice Equine Massage

[Daphne]

Hi Folks -

This popped up on Yahoo newsthis morning and I was a bit surprised to see it there, considering how little positive coverage we MTs tend to get in the media.


http://tinyurl.com/6x2jdu

A lady in Maryland, who is certified in both human & equine massage, is suing the state for the right to practice equine massage since MD has told her that it's illegal for her to do so, even though she is trained in it, because she's not a vet or a chiropractor. She's not claiming to be either one and is not claiming that she can replace either of those.

If she wins, this could prove to be rather beneficial to us, since it seems that there is now some sort of standardized testing being developed for national certification on equine massage.

Thoughts/comments/hopes? I would love to hear them, as that I am not truly awake today and not firing on all cylinders. :

--LN
who is suffering sever afmassageplanet.neturn from working local fair for 5 days straight :jumping:

 

[fvfv81]

My hope is that she WINS! At some point, animal massage will need to be dealt with as a profession by the powers that be.

 

[Valeria]

Just like each state has different qualifications in order to practice massage they have different qualifications to practice equine massage. If she doesn't like the laws either try to lobby to change them or move.

If someone has been practicing massage in another state legally but then comes to NY (requires 1000 hrs & an exam) and sues because they are not allowed to practice since they don't have enough hours according to NY everyone would think they were nuts.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Just like each state has different qualifications in order to practice massage they have different qualifications to practice equine massage. If she doesn't like the laws either try to lobby to change them or move.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's opinion), animal massage is not regulated like the profession of human massage therapy. In the large scheme, most of us are fighting for the right to practice at all. Fighting against the AVMA, more specifically, not with different qualifications set forth by a state's massage board, etc. There are very few states that recognize animal massage as a profession and therefore regulate it.

With the exception of only a few states, current laws (or perspectives) are set forth by each state's Veterinary Board on whether or not they consider animal massage the practice of Vet Med. If they do, then they consider the act of any person practicing animal massage - who is not a licensed Veterinarian or working directly under their supervision - as a felony.

 

[shopaholic95]

With the exception of only a few states, current laws (or perspectives) are set forth by each state's Veterinary Board on whether or not they consider animal massage the practice of Vet Med. If they do, then they consider the act of any person practicing animal massage - who is not a licensed Veterinarian or working directly under their supervision - as a felony.

Yup! That's the way Missouri is - we're not allowed to practice unless under the supervision of a vet.

My former roommate got her start as an equine therapist and while many of the vets she worked with were like, "Oh, yeah, go do your thing...." the MO Board of Vet Med is very resistant to therapists, apparently.

(We were lucky enough to finally get Midwifery legal here just this past May! :roll: )

So, seeing as how I am looking to get into equine therapy, I am totally rooting for her to win the lawsuit.

She's fighting to change the law, not looking for a monetary reward.


--LN

 

[Febe]

Yup! That's the way Missouri is - we're not allowed to practice unless under the supervision of a vet.

Here in NH, animal massage (specifically equine) is permitted as long as it has no therapeutic value like say massage therapy... :roll:

 

[Melanie M]

Here in NH, animal massage (specifically equine) is permitted as long as it has no therapeutic value like say massage therapy... :roll:

huh? t017

lol, good grief! I guess that means you get paid really well to stategically and methodically pet them?