Effective: November 22, 2020
Latest Legislation: House Bill 151 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Animal" means any living animal other than a human being.
(2) "Animal chiropractic" means the evaluation and treatment of an animal's vertebral or extremity joint dysfunction through spinal, joint, or musculo-skeletal manipulative therapy or soft tissue therapy.
Animal chiropractic does not include administering, selling, distributing, recommending, or providing advice regarding any of the following to restore or maintain the health of an animal: vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, glandular extracts, botanical substances, herbal therapies, homeopathic remedies, drugs that are available without a prescription, or durable and nondurable medical goods and devices.
(3) "Animal chiropractic practitioner" means a chiropractor licensed under this chapter who holds a current, valid certification from any of the following:
(a) The American veterinary chiropractic association, unless otherwise specified in rule;
(b) The international veterinary chiropractic association, unless otherwise specified in rule;
(c) The college of animal chiropractors, unless otherwise specified in rule;
(d) Any other credentialing organization that the state chiropractic board specifies in rules adopted under this section.
(4) "Licensed veterinarian" means an individual licensed by the state veterinary medical licensing board to practice veterinary medicine.
(B) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no chiropractor who is not an animal chiropractic practitioner shall do either of the following:
(1) Practice animal chiropractic;
(2) Represent that the person is, or hold the person's self out to the public as, an animal chiropractic practitioner.
(C)(1) All of the following apply regarding a chiropractor who is an animal chiropractic practitioner:
(a) The chiropractor shall register with the state chiropractic board in a manner specified by the board;
(b) The chiropractor may provide animal chiropractic only to types of animals on which the chiropractor has received training;
(c) The chiropractor may provide animal chiropractic without supervision by a licensed veterinarian;
(d) The chiropractor shall require completion of an application for care form in accordance with division (D) of this section;
(e) The chiropractor shall maintain for at least three years a medical record, including the application for care form, for each animal evaluated or treated and on request shall provide the medical record to the animal's veterinarian in a timely fashion.
(2) A chiropractor who is not an animal chiropractic practitioner may practice animal chiropractic only in accordance with division (F) of section 4741.19 of the Revised Code.
(D) Prior to providing animal chiropractic in accordance with this section, an animal chiropractic practitioner shall require the animal's owner, owner's agent, or another person responsible for the animal to complete and sign an application for care form that contains at least the following:
(1) A statement that the chiropractor is not a licensed veterinarian and cannot maintain primary responsibility for the animal's care;
(2) A statement that animal chiropractic is not intended to replace traditional veterinary care and is considered an alternative therapy to be used concurrently and in conjunction with traditional veterinary care by a licensed veterinarian;
(3) A question as to whether the animal has been seen by a licensed veterinarian within the past twelve months;
(4) A question as to whether a licensed veterinarian has provided a diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal for which animal chiropractic is sought, and if so, a request to specify the diagnosis;
(5) A statement authorizing the chiropractor to provide animal chiropractic to the animal.
(E) The board shall maintain and make available to the public a list of animal chiropractic practitioners who are registered with the board pursuant to this section.
(F) This section does not restrict a licensed veterinarian from engaging in the practice of veterinary medicine, as defined in Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code, or prevent any other individual from lawfully acting in a manner authorized under that chapter.
An animal's veterinarian is not liable for any actions or omissions of an animal chiropractic practitioner who provides animal chiropractic in accordance with this section.
(G)(1) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board may adopt any rules it considers necessary to implement this section. The following rules, if adopted, shall be adopted in consultation with the state veterinary medical licensing board in accordance with division (G)(2) of this section:
(a) Any rule regarding standards of medicine or care for an animal;
(b) Any rule to remove or specify additional credentialing organizations for purposes of division (A)(3)(d) of this section.
(2)(a) Prior to filing a rule identified in division (G)(1)(a) or (b) of this section with the joint committee on agency rule review, the board shall in a timely fashion provide the full text of the proposed rule, amendment, or rule to be rescinded to the state veterinary medical licensing board. The state veterinary medical licensing board shall informally vote on the proposed rule, amendment, or rule to be rescinded at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Regardless of whether the vote is affirmative or not, the state chiropractic board may proceed in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.