5/07/08

The Minnesota House recently passed an Agriculture Policy bill allowing chiropractors to practice on animals if they receive training. A referral from a veterinarian would also be required.

The House passed the bill on a 121 to 7 vote. The Senate has included similar language in its Agriculture Policy Bill. The two bills now need to be reconciled in conference committee.

Both chiropractors and veterinarians were at odds over the bill, but eventually compromised with the requirements of a vet referral.

Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) is a chiropractor who does not intend to work on animals, but believes that some people may find the treatment useful for their pets.

"You can make jokes about the whole bill and all of that. But I tell you there's a world of alternative care that people seek and a lot of it is for cash, be it chiropractors, naturopaths, homeopaths and the like, from which they derive huge benefit. And just because it's new or unusual does not mean it's not a good idea," said Abeler.

Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) stated that pet owners should not need a veterinarian referral before taking their pets to a chiropractor.

"I don't know why the long arm of government has to be telling chiropractors where they can and can't operate. For government to be putting this into law is ridiculous," said Buesgens.

Veterinarians are concerned that chiropractors won’t be fully trained to pinpoint all types of injuries on an animal.

Chiropractors will also be required to post a sign notifying customers that they treat animals.

[Source: Minnesota Public Radio News; minnesota.publicradio.org]