Alabama

X

Must be human qualified first.

Alaska

X

HB 372 was a pro choice that failed. SB 321 was similar to the AVMA Model, but failed.
Vet Board stated only a vet or tech under direct supervision may provide massage, August 2003.

Arizona

X

Vet board stated they were unable to respond to clarification request. However, according to the Arizona Revised Statute covering the definition of veterinary medicine, any non-vet who administers any method, practice, or manipulation for any type of animal condition who is paid for this service is practicing veterinary medicine with-out a license. A bill restoring owner’s rights lost by one vote recently. The state alliance is working on resubmitting another bill

Arkansas

X

Veterinarian only

The vet board underlines the word "relief" as the practice of veterinary medicine.

California

X

Vet Board stated in 1999 that they had no problem with massage. Recent 2005-2006 comments from representatives are not all positive.

Colorado

X

"Currently the Colorado State Veterinary Practice Act only addresses the practice of veterinarians. Unlicensed persons practicing veterinary medicine are required to do so only under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The Board looks at each instance individually to determine whether or not something is the practice of vet med and therefore requires veterinary supervision (it depends on what is being done to the animal, if a diagnosis is being made, etc.)"
Due to conflicting reports, a follow up letter was sent to the board June 13, 2006.
Follow up response:
"This Board has never formally considered whether or not animal massage is the practice of veterinary medicine, so the question hasn't really been dealt with to date"

Connecticut

X

HB 6683 passed

Delaware

X

Must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian

Florida

X

New law passed and signed June 9, 2006: H641 Animal Service Providers; provides that ch. 474, F.S., re veterinary medical practice, does not apply to part-time worker or independent contractor who is hired by owner to provide certain services; provides for retroactive effect.

Georgia

X

Excerpt from HB 347
43-50-32. 43-50-44.
This article shall not be construed to prohibit:
(17) A person performing soft tissue animal massage or other forms of soft tissue animal manipulation;

Hawaii

X

Must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian

Idaho

X

Indiana

X

Illinois

X

As of January 1, 2004, with the legislative indoctrination of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgical Act of 2004, Senate Bill 386, all practitioners dealing with animals who are not licensed professional veterinarians must present their respective clients with a Disclosure Statement, prior to performing any practices.

Iowa

X

no response from the vet board after 3 attempts

Kansas

X

no response from the vet board after 3 attempts

Kentucky

X

"No specific laws pertaining to massage but could fall under the general provisions or regulations…"

Louisiana

X

"…the provision of rehabilitation techniques, including sports massage, on an animal is clearly included within the scope of veterinary medicine which is regulated by the Board"

Maine

X

"The practice of veterinary medicine includes massage therapy"

Maryland

X

Vet Board does not have a problem with the practice of horse massage. There are no revisions planned for the practice act.

Massachusetts

X

Veterinarian only

Michigan

X

Minnesota

X

"As long as the individual is not diagnosing, prescribing or offering treatment plans and providing treatment not prescribed by a veterinarian that individual will not be in violation of the Minnesota Practice Act."

Mississippi

X

On November 24, 2003, Debranne Pattillo called and had a conversation with Dr. McCrory of the Vet Board who was filling in for Ms, Springer. Dr McCrory said there was no problem for EBWs to provide massage for horses but it had to be under direct supervision of a vet or vet only.

Missouri

X

"A person must either be under the direct supervision of a vet or licensed as
a vet to provide animal massage."

Montana

X

"Massage for relaxation and general toning is not prohibited by the board. The board does not restrict animal massage to licensed veterinarians."

There are no revisions planned for the practice act.

Nebraska

X

Must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian

Nevada

X

New Hampshire

X

Equine massage is not the practice of veterinary medicine

New Jersey

X

Veterinary Board won’t issue "blanket opinion" on equine massage. Clarification on S310 allowing massage has been requested June 13. 2006. Update: Bill is in limbo.

New Mexico

X

In addition to direct supervision of a vet,

the session must be performed on the order of a veterinarian, the licensed veterinarian must assume liability for the quality of any treatment performed and the fee for services rendered shall be paid to the licensed veterinarian or licensed facility.

New York

X

Vet Only or vet technician under direct supervision

North Carolina

X

North Dakota

X

"massage done only to maintain an animal’s health or well-being…"

Ohio

X

Okalahoma

X

Oklahoma Legislature orders Interim Study. Okay to practise for now.

Oregon

X

With veterinary referral

Pennsylvania

X

"…the definition is very broad and includes any practice that treats or relieves or prevents a physical condition. In addition, the definition includes holding oneself out as being able to treat any animal pain or physical condition."

Puerto Rico

X

"Massage, if considered therapeutic, has to be administered under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian"

Does forbid non-therapeutic massage

Rhode Island

X

Must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian

South Carolina

X

X

If passed the veterinary practice act would mirror the AVMA model.

South Dakota

X

Board view: "equine massage is not the practice of veterinary medicine."

Tennessee

X

"does not have any animal massage laws in place at this time."

Texas

X

On June 14, 2006, Vet board reconfirmed earlier statement of 2006. "As we view it, massage is acceptable as long as it does not involve diagnosing or treating. There is a fine line here, but some massage can be interpreted as treatment, and that would be the practice of veterinary medicine which is prohibited to massage practitioners except under the supervision of a veterinarian."

Utah

X

Must be human qualified first with an additional 60 animal hours.

Vermont

X

Okay for owners to work on their own animals

Virgin Islands

X

Virginia

X

"Unlicensed persons may provide treatment to animals under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinary medicine (sic)…"

Washington

X

Must be human qualified first with an additional 100 animal hours.

West Virginia

X

Wisconsin

X

"In Wisconsin animal massage would be considered the practice of veterinary medicine if provided for the purpose of treating animal disease or pathological condition. This does not mean, however that an unlicensed person may not provide massage services to animals. Under the board’s administrative rules, a veterinarian may delegate such services to an unlicensed person under the direct on-premises supervision of the veterinarian,

Wyoming

X