She also thinks such courses will help students to think critically and to intelligently answer their clients' questions after graduation. The legal ramifications of the use of alternative and complementary therapies in veterinary medicine were the subject of a separate talk in Salt Lake City by veterinarian and lawyer Dr. Gregg Scoggins. He urged practitioners to be aware of the applicable laws governing veterinary practice and to be well versed on state practice acts, because definitions and applications of alternative and complementary therapies can vary widely from state to state. Like Dr. Peck, Dr. Scoggins underscored the value of communication between veterinarians and their clients, and stressed the importance of seeking and obtaining informed consent. The AVMA Task Force on Alternative and Complementary Therapies continues to investigate these modalities.
Research is likely to continue for generations to come.
As both Dr. Peck and Dr. Scoggins were quick to point out, these therapies are currently being used, whether one is dubious about their efficacy or not, and sooner or later, some clients will want to investigate these modalities as options for treatment of their animals.