August 2008

Article Tools

Woman sues Maryland state board for right to massage horses

August 11, 2008 — Mercedes Clemens filed a suit against the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners (MBCMTE) claiming the state of Maryland is keeping her from massaging horses.

Clemens, 40, received her private animal massage certification about two years ago and started practicing on horses, eventually growing her business to about 30 regular horse clients.

She shut down her equine massage practice in a Washington D.C. suburb after officials told her state law only allows veterinarians to perform such services.

She's also suing the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, saying

In a March letter to Clemens, the MBCMTE told her state law is very specific in barring massage therapists from practicing on animals. The chiropractic board also included a note from Maryland's state veterinary board reminding chiropractors and massage therapists of the restrictions.

The MBCMTE agency is asking for the court to dismiss the case, citing Montgomery County as an improper venue because the order was issued from Baltimore.

Source: Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners, www.mdchiro.org

Comments

Be the first to comment on this Article

Post Your Comment

Name

 

Location

 

Comment

To submit your comment, please type the security word shown in the picture.

Remember information