Heads up – the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society has a call for papers. It’s having a conference in Florence next September, so get those papers in.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice of veterinary acupuncture as an integral part of the total veterinary health care delivery system. The Society endeavors to establish uniformly high standards of veterinary acupuncture practice through its educational programs and accreditation examination and process. IVAS seeks to integrate veterinary acupuncture and the practice of western veterinary science, while also noting that the science of veterinary acupuncture does not overlook related treatment modalities.
It seeks to integrate. I suppose that means it adds acupuncture onto real (“western”) veterinary science so that it can charge money for so doing.
What Does Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture Mean and Why Your Pet Deserves the Best?
- Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture is an objective measure of knowledge which validates the veterinarian is qualified to provide animal acupuncture as part of the total care plan.
Objective according to whom? (Acupuncturists, of course, silly.) Objective according to what criteria? (Acupuncture criteria, of course, silly.)
- Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture Demonstrates Professionalism. Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture exemplifies expertise and dedication to a specific, integrative therapy. When the veterinarian is certified, it shows evidence of their professional growth. It also shows a life-long learning for the benefit of their clients and patients.
I bet real veterinary programs don’t say things like that. I bet they don’t say a veterinary degree “exemplifies expertise” or wamble about “dedication to a specific, integrative therapy.”
Oh I get it – this is where the “integration” comes in. This is a “certification” for existing veterinarians; it’s an add-on. That clears that up. They’re not teaching vet medicine plus acupuncture, they’re just teaching acupuncture. To vets. So they can show evidence of their professional growth. It’s like taking dance class after school.
- Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture Demonstrates Commitment. Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture demonstrates a higher level of commitment to providing a broader level of veterinary medical care and to the well-being of the patients.
Higher and broader.
- Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture Demonstrates Expertise. Clients, their families, and the general public are becoming more knowledgeable about alternative and integrative healthcare options, and they are consumers. Therefore, they are more likely to choose a veterinarian with expertise in the areas of integrative medicine treatments they seek for their beloved pets.
In other words, this is totally worth doing because there are enough gullible chumps out there to make it worth doing.
- Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture is Self-Fulfilling. Earning certification does take time and it does require a level of dedication. However, it can prove to be self-fulfilling, and it can instill pride in those who obtain it.
That’s not what self-fulfilling means.
- Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture Promotes Quality in Veterinary Healthcare. Certification demonstrates competency and expertise. Our colleagues in veterinary medicine will recognize that competent veterinarians with Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture will promote a high quality of animal care, well-being, and welfare.
Assuming you think all that entails sticking needles in animals for no reason.
My vet does this, forr reasons that I cannot fathom, except that are a lot of wooish people around where I live. Also, I wonder how they think they can identify acupuncture sits on animals.
Well I wonder how they think they can identify acupuncture sites on humans! 😀
Wayne Turner @1:
Oh, that’s easy. They just consult with other animal quakers.
I tried to get my horse P-nut certified as an equine massage therapist, so I could hang his certificate up in a frame in the barn. But it would have cost me $500. So, poor P-nut remains unqualified.
It’s bad enough wanting to stick those things in yourself for no good reason, but it doesn’t matter how well my kitty sits for her shots she wouldn’t be putting up with that shit. Who does that anyway?? Isn’t sticking random sharp objects in your pets animal abuse still?
There are vets who practice homeopathy on animals too. Something like the placebo effect could very well work on animals, if the technique included actions that reduce the animals’ stress (caressing, calming voice, familiar humans, etc).
I’ve been in the equine industry for a good number of years and am seeing more and more clients resorting to acupuncture, magnets, homeopathy and other quackery to remove toxins. I must often bite my tongue and remember they really don’t want my opinion. Very tricky at times.
Those papers they wish submitted : should it be before or after the new puppy has used them?
Sounds like a nice little earner for vets, pharmacies sell “alternative medicines” and vitamin supplements, scientifically trained physicians pimp acupuncture treatments, they’re simply meeting demand. Why not? Ethics, schmethics.
We had a vet who prescribed herbs for our cat. I guess I can (sort of? in theory?) get the whole herb thing. People have been prescribing this or that herb to treat this or that symptom for thousands of years, and there’s no reason to think it’s *all* baloney. But for a cat? Just who has been doing all this research (even casual research) on cats and herbs all this time? I figured it was just a case of the vet looking something up—ah, this herb is supposedly good for this (in humans)—and applying it to cats. But why would that necessarily work?
Hey, don’t diss dance classes. They have far more benefits (physical activity, social interaction for us non-social types) than acupuncture.