The therapies available to animals has mirrored this growth and we now have a growth of practitioners offering Complementary Therapies for an increasing range of animals.
The veterinary profession has not been as quick as NHS GP’s in accepting Complementary Therapies as a suitable alternative treatment for animals. However vets, in their Guide to Professional Conduct have had to recognise the importance of "accountability, accessibility and transparency" in informing their clients about all the treatment options available to their animals
A wide variety of Clinics and Therapists now offer therapies for animals, some of the more popular include:-
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Reiki
• Shiatsu
• Hydrotherapy
• Reflexology
• Homoeopathy
• Osteopathy
• Magnotherapy
• Chiropractic Therapy
• Kinesiology
The above range of therapies that are now being used to treat our animals confirm the growth in popularity of these forms of treatment, this is further reflected in the diverse types of animals that owners are choosing to receive treatment.
Horse owners have probably been the pioneers in this use of alternative therapy but there has been a significant growth in the range of animals receiving treatment these include dogs, cats, birds, various other more exotic pets and animals from farms and zoos.
If you are contemplating using Alternative or Complementary Therapy for your animal it is worth bearing in mind that any sick animal must be taken to a vet and any alternative practitioner working with animals will need a referral from a veterinary surgeon in order to treat your pet legally.

David Bates