With Dr Pitcairn’s permission, I am presenting a copy of his letter posted June 9th, 2009 in Leading Voices in Homeopathy on the Minimum Price Homeopathic Book Forum. Dr. Pitcairn is a major homeopathic educator of US veterinarians. He is also a major advocate of raw and/or home prepared food.
THE PROBLEM
Recently one of the major organizations that approve continuing education credit for veterinarians has taken a stand against homeopathy and similar forms of therapy. For most states a veterinarian is required to attend so many hours of education, usually 10-20 a year. I have been one of the approved teachers for such programs since 2001 and have trained almost 500 veterinarians in the use of homeopathic medicine.The organization that approves these teaching programs is the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and the last few months we have been having a crisis. After these many years, my programs have been rejected as “not scientific.” It matters not that there is much evidence of efficacy with homeopathic treatment and many cases of cured animals. The veterinary profession is taking the stand that only allopathic medicine and only those forms they approve of are to be accepted. The current jargon is that they want “evidence based medicine,” but of course the evidence of good outcomes with homeopathy is not really accepted as “evidence” regardless of the nature of the case.
Why are they doing this and why does it matter? Because this is a way to discourage veterinarians from taking this training. They won’t get CE credit for it and therefore cannot keep their licenses. It is a way to stop the use of these alternatives.
What does it mean for you? It means these other choices in treatment will gradually wither away if this is a successful campaign on their part. Only drugs and more drugs will be the choice for treatment of your animal.What can you do? Google for the address of your state veterinary association (usually the “state board” as opposed to a veterinary organization). Write them and tell them your dissatisfaction with AAVSB taking away training for veterinarians in methods that you, as a consumer, want to have available. If possible, send me a copy to the email box on this forum.
Thanks for anything you can do.
_________________
Best wishes,
Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD
E-mail Dr. Pitcairn
Dr. Pitcairn’s website
California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine
1420 Howe Avenue, Suite 6 Sacramento, CA 95825
Telephone: 916/263-2610
Fax: 916/263-2621
E-mail
Dr. Pitcarin’s book, Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.
RELATED POSTS:
Part of the Family: Homeopathy & Pet Care
Veterinarians Speak Out About Natural & Alternative Veterinary Medicine (Video)
Copyright © 2009–2025, Myra Nissen.
Would you like to include this article in your newsletter or website? You can as long as you include the following blurb with it:
This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.