In many states, a number of the alternative therapies available to people, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathy, aromatherapy, massage, and therapeutic bodywork, are also available to animals. Just as humans are free to choose a holistic practitioner without first checking with a medical doctor, these birds, cats, dogs, and horses can be brought to a holistic healer without prior approval of a veterinarian. But not in Alaska. Current state law (the most relevant parts are summarized below) allows only veterinarians and the veterinary technicians under veterinarians' direct supervision to provide such services.

Specifically, Article 2. Licensing Sec. 08.98.120 License required. states that "(a) A person may not practice veterinarian medicine, surgery, or dentistry unless the person is licensed as a veterinarian under this chapter or has a temporary permit issued under AS 08.98.186, except that a person may perform functions authorized by regulation of the (veterinary) board if the person is licensed as a veterinarian technician." Furthermore, "(c) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both."

Sec. 08.98.250 defines what is meant by the word "practice:" (5) "practice of veterinary medicine" (A) means for compensation to

(i) diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental condition, including the prescription of administration of a drug, biologic apparatus, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance;

(ii) use a manual or mechanical procedure for testing for pregnancy or correcting sterility or fertility; or

(iii) render advice of recommendation with regard to any matter listed in (i) or (ii) of this subparagraph.

(6) "veterinary technician" means a person who performs functions delegated by a veterinarian licensed under this chapter.

(For those interested, the complete law and regulations are posted on the Department of Commerce and Economic Development's web-site, www.dced.alaska.state.ak.us.)

From a practical point of view, this means that alternative therapies for animals may be either more expensive than necessary, unavailable, or illegal. Although enforcement actions are relatively unknown, at least one Alaskan equine therapist currently faces charges of performing hands-on manual therapy (on horses) without the supervision of a veterinarian.

Alaska's veterinarians are not necessarily responsible for the fact that people in Alaska have more health care options than their pets and animals. In the first place, Alaska's laws and regulations were written before the application of alternative therapies to animals became widespread. Secondly, many vets support the use of alternative therapies on animals. Some vets either deliver these services themselves or prescribe them, though many also voice legitimate concerns about the lack of uniform certification standards in the burgeoning field of alternative health care for animals.

To remedy the situation, Representative Scott Ogan (R-Wasilla) and Eric Croft (D-Anchorage) introduced HB 372 during last winter's legislative session. The legislation would have essentially allowed owners to treat their own animals and authorize non-veterinarians to treat their animals, provided the practitioner didn't represent him or herself as a veterinarian. However, before there could be any hearings, Mr. Ogan suffered a major heart attack.

If you believe that Alaska's animals deserve access to various alternative therapies available elsewhere in the United States, please ask your legislators to reform Alaska veterinarian laws and regulations in such a way that protects the legitimate interests of all: the animals, their owners, veterinarians, and alternative therapists. It's important that veterinarians continue to monopolize medical diagnoses, medical procedures, and medication, while alternative therapies from well-trained practitioners become more widely available at an affordable cost. Old Paint in Palmer deserves and possibly needs acupressure and equine massage just as much as the racehorses at Churchill Downs. A little canine chiropractic may be just the ticket for Spot in Soldotna.