Code of Ethics
Our mission is to promote excellence in the field of Animal Acupuncture by setting the highest standards for licensed acupuncturists.
In order to fulfill this mission, the American Board of Animal Acupuncture (ABAA) has established standards of competency and safety in the use of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for the treatment and benefit of animals. Board Certification by the ABAA authenticates an acupuncturist’s knowledge and skill to practice the specialty of Animal Acupuncture. Certification by the ABAA designates the acupuncturist as a Diplomate of Animal Acupuncture and allows the acupuncturist to use the designation FABAA, that is, Fellow of the American Board of Animal Acupuncture.
The ABAA recognizes the need for a certification in order to insure that practitioners who are treating animals with acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are doing so with advanced knowledge and experience. The ABAA also recognizes that Animal Acupuncture is and has been the domain of practitioners of Acupuncture long before western veterinary medicine was developed.
All practitioners certified by the American Board of Animal Acupuncture must be committed to responsible and ethical practice, to the growth of the profession’s role in the broad spectrum of health care, and to their own professional growth. All Certified members agree to be bound by the ABAA Code of Ethics.
Commitment to the Patient
- Respect the rights and dignity of each patient and the animal’s guardian.
- Keep the owner of every animal informed by explaining treatments and outcome.
- Keep accurate records of each patient’s history and treatment.
- Treat only within the lawful scope of practice.
- Render the highest quality of care and make timely referrals to veterinarians as may be appropriate.
Commitment to the Profession
- Continue to work to promote the highest standards of the profession.
- Provide accurate, truthful, and non-misleading information in connection with any application for licensure, certification, ABAA disciplinary investigation or proceeding or recertification.
- Report any changes to the information regarding professional ethics and on-going fitness to practice.
- Report to ABAA, or appropriate licensing authorities, information about any violations of the Code of Ethics or Grounds for Professional Discipline.
Commitment to the Public
- Provide accurate information regarding education, training and experience, professional affiliations and certification status.
- Refrain from any representation that ABAA certification implies licensure or a right to practice unless so designated by the laws in the jurisdiction in which you practice.
- Use only the appropriate professional designations for credentials (FABAA).
- Advertise only accurate, truthful, non-misleading information and refrain from making public statements on the efficacy of Animal Acupuncture that are not supported by the generally accepted experience of the profession.
- Respect the integrity of other forms of health care and other medical traditions and seek to develop collaborative relationships to achieve the highest quality of care for individual patients.