BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM
The American Board of Veterinary Acupuncture (ABVA) and the American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) have asked to be recognized as veterinary specialties. In response the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) has opened a public comment period for the two proposed specialties.
The ABVA estimates that 4,000 to 5,000 veterinarians in the U.S. are certified in acupuncture through one of six organizations to include Chi University, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), CuraCore, Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI), Evidence-Based Veterinary Acupuncture (EBVA) and the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT).
Of these certified veterinarians, about 80% work with small animals, 10-20% with equine patients and the rest with other species such as farm animals, exotics and zoo animals. The organizing committee of the ABVA states that acupuncture enhances other specialty outcomes “due to its established role in managing pain, aiding in cancer care and treatment and improving performance, neurorecovery, fertility and quality of life.” Formal specialty recognition would provide better oversight and credentialing as well as advance research.
The ABVS previously denied the acupuncture specialty in 2016 stating a lack of scientific basis for such a specialty. Earlier this year, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates (HOD) approved a policy, entitled “Integrative Veterinary Medicine,” which includes veterinary acupuncture into complementary and alternative therapies.
The American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) organizing committee asks for specialty recognition because embryo transfer is a unique field requiring significant training commitment to master the skill. The AETA has been selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to certify those that would export embryos.
AETA certification includes and exam, requirements for experience, continuing education and regulation by the AETA, International Embry Technology Society (IETS), and the USDA. In addition, facilities and laboratories undergo regular inspections.
Public comments on the proposals will be accepted through August 12. The AVMA website includes submissions on the justification for the specialties. Comments should be emailed to ABVS@avma.org with the subject line “Public comment – Acupuncture Specialty” or “Public comment – Embry Transfer Specialty.”
