The Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy has developed this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to ensure its members act with integrity in dealing with the general public, veterinary surgeons, other trained professionals, clients and students. The Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy expects its members to follow this Code of Ethics, conducting themselves in an honest and professional manner at all times in order to maintain the highest standards.
All members of the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy will be required to abide by the following:-
1. Work within and respect the Protection of Animals Act 1911, the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 , the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and any other relevant law in effect now or in the future.
2. The practice of Zoopharmacognosy is not intended to replace veterinary care, therefore it does not diagnose, dose or treat, instead it facilitates the enhancement of an animal's environment. The owner is taught how to work with secondary compounds for health maintenance. The animal will treat itself with what it needs.
3. A substance should never be imposed on an animal that has not selected it. This includes adding substances to food or inhalation devices or applying them topically to the body. Practitioners use natural products, so in most cases they have not been formally tested and therefore should be treated with the same rules as prescription medicine.
4. Whilst it is not a legal requirement to ask a vet's permission to hold a consultation with an owner about his/her animal, owners should be advised that their vet should be informed both of the animal's condition and of the consultation. This is a professional courtesy but more importantly supports the owner's duty of care and ensures that an animal will not miss out on veterinary care that it might need.
5. Maintain client confidentiality and abide by the Data Protection Act. Any information obtained during consultation must be kept in the strict confidence, unless the owner/ carer gives written permission for it to be shared with a veterinary surgeon or other interested parties.
6. Complete a full consultation before commencement of therapy and keep accurate records of your dealings with an animal and owner.
7. Recognise your primary obligation to the animal, always offering your skills to the best of your ability for the benefit of the animal. The animal's welfare is always of paramount importance.
8. Educate and encourage the owners' self-responsibility.
9. Be aware of any risks that might be posed by the handling of essential oils etc. by human clients with particular conditions, and advise accordingly.
10. Ensure all clients are treated ethically, professionally and within your professional competence.
11. Treat other health practitioners and colleagues with professional courtesy at all times, and act in an ethical and dignified manner.
12. Share professional knowledge, research and experiences with others to advance the information about zoopharmacognosy.
13. Attend the required number of CPD courses annually to ensure that you are apprised of all the latest techniques and practices in the area of zoopharmacognosy and maintain professional standards.
14. Members of the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy will not adapt the guidelines of their training and will only educate animal owners and carers in the methodology of self-selection as recognised by the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy.
15. All students and members of the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy must ensure that they have a valid insurance policy allowing them to practice.
