Padding The Resume

The Minnesota Legislature recently passed HF 3902 - the Agriculture Policy bill. Tucked away in the depths of the bill (starting at line 19.19) is an addition to the Minnesota Statutes that I must admit piqued my curiosity.

19.19 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.01, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.20 Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of sections 148.01 to 148.10,:
19.21 (1) "chiropractic" is defined as the science of adjusting any abnormal articulations of
19.22 the human body, especially those of the spinal column, for the purpose of giving freedom 19.23 of action to impinged nerves that may cause pain or deranged function; and
19.24 (2) "animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment" means treatment that includes,
19.25 but is not limited to, identifying and resolving vertebral subluxation complexes, spinal 19.26 manipulation, and manipulation of the extremity articulations of nonhuman vertebrates. 19.27 Animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment does not include:
19.28 (i) performing surgery;
19.29 (ii) dispensing or administering of medications; or
19.30 (iii) performing traditional veterinary care and diagnosis.



Back in the days when I was showing and training horses, I did experiment with "alternative" medical treatments for my horses when needed. I am a huge fan of acupressure and massage therapy for animals as I have seen it work time and time again to treat things as varied as hypertension (I had a thoroughbred horse that was a nervous wreck when we first got him) to colic and related gastro intestinal distress. After 6 months of massage therapy the thoroughbred went from nervous wreck to relaxed cuddle bug (trust me....he did try to "cuddle"). The veterinary medial industry has always been quite open to non-traditional therapies. I know many people who use equine chiropractors and swear by their treatments. However, these equine chiropractors are trained veterinarians! They have gone through years of veterinary training in addition to their chiropractic training. Not so here. You have human chiropractors who are going to just take a few simple classes and then they are going to be able to treat animals.

Apparently, the discussion on the floor was "heated".

"For government to be putting this into law is ridiculous," said Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan.

This is one of those few times when I have to disagree with Rep. Buesgens but for reasons he would not expect. It is the government's place to regulate who can and can not practice procedures like this. It is part of the licensing process. Where I do agree with Rep. Buesgens is in that I don't think human chiropractors, like Rep. Jim Abeler, should be working on animals.

"Just because it is new or unusual does not mean it is not a good idea," said Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka. Abeler's a chiropractor who said that he doesn't plan to take required training to allow him to work on animals.

I agree with Rep. Abeler that we should not look at new or unusual ideas, but human physiology is very different than canine physiology which is different than feline or equine physiology! A stiff spine and hip dysplasia may appear to be the same thing, yet a chiropractic adjustment will cripple a dysplasic dog for life! Are you ready for that Rep. Abeler?

Stick to working on people Rep. Abeler. Your patients will thank you and my dogs (who may indeed someday need a canine chiropractor) will thank you!