Co-moderators Kevin May, DVM, CVA, of the El Cajon Valley Veterinary Hospital in El Cajon, Calif.; and James Kenney, DVM, of Kenney & Ketner in Colt's Neck, N.J., discussed how to incorporate acupuncture and chiropractic in to a Western medicine practice during a Sunrise Session at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, Colo., Dec. 4-8, 2004. Out of the 10-15 veterinarians in the session, four or five were already using acupuncture and chiropractic in their practices and imparted what they had learned to the other veterinarians who were just checking these modalities out for the first time, or to those who were just learning to apply them after becoming certified in one or both.

Some veterinarians in the room have exclusively become referral veterinarians in these areas, and others have added one or both as adjuncts to their practices.

May pointed out, "The American Association of Equine Practitioners wants to be the primary continuing educational provider for equine practitioners. In doing so, they've allowed us to start having Sunrise Sessions on this topic. It's a good place to start, since that organization is the voice of authority for the care and welfare of the horse."

Discussion in the session primarily revolved around personal experiences with courses in acupuncture and chiropractic, incorporation of what they've learned in these courses, payment for these services, and the reminder that Western medicine should never be forgotten when treating patients