BC Animal Owners Association

For the last 5 years, BCAOA has been working with Ministry officials to solve the legal obstacle non-vet health practitioners experience in BC.

The legal barrier affects animal health professions including farriers, animal training, dental, chiropractic, body work, animal rehab, homeopathy, herbalists, TCM and more modalities – as ALL must be DIRECTLY supervised by a veterinarian.

To be clear: Farriers are under this restriction. See this excerpt from “Navigating Canada’s Unregulated Horse Industry” by author Tania Millen:

“Dr. Stacey Thomas, the Deputy Registrar of CVBC, stated by email that “Farrier work is not illegal in British Columbia.” However, she also advised, “A farrier may trim horse feet; however, he or she is not permitted to provide a health assessment, render diagnoses, prescribe treatment including corrective therapy, or assess the efficacy of treatment. Only a veterinarian may assess and provide the diagnosis, determine the course of treatment or therapy, and provide supervision.”

“It’s basically illegal for us to do anything unless it’s been prescribed by a vet or it’s under a vet’s supervision or direction,” says Will Clinging, Vice President of the Western Canada Farriers Association and a Certified Journeyman Farrier. He says that BC’s estimated 500 hoof care providers range from highly-skilled professionals to untrained horseshoers and trimmers, and lack of regulation means that anyone can call themselves a “hoof care provider.” (Canada’s Equine Guide page 22-23)

BCAOA continues to work with practice reps and pursue recognition of non-vet health practices. In May 2021 the Ministry facilitated an introductory meeting with BCAOA, practice reps and CVBC (College of Veterinarians of BC) and the SVBC (Society of Veterinarians of BC).

During the call, the vets expressed concern that non-vet practices are ‘not evidence-based or peer reviewed.’ BCAOA and practice reps were able to say – “YES indeed, they certainly are - and we can send all the data to you.” Which we did.

The SVBC and CVBC representatives were presented with comprehensive evidence of accreditation and certification for practices, and evidence-based details requested.

Since that date the Ministry of Agriculture has been dealing with unprecedented disasters in our province. Vets themselves are busy, overworked and the vet shortage is reaching critical levels in BC. Vets do not have time to supervise non-vet practitioners – despite the CVBC requirement to do so. And owners don’t need to pay two people to do one job.

We simply request the Ministry facilitate a prompt solution and relieve the CVBC of the requirement to provide ANY supervision of non-veterinary practices.

We animal owners want the freedom to choose qualified health care options like we do for ourselves.

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