I. OBJECTIVES

In this programme only teaching for qualified veterinarians is considered (i.e.postgraduate study). The purpose of these standards is the training of specialised homoeopathic veterinarians to be competent to treat their patients effectively, applying the law of similar. The minimum requirements of a homoeopathic teaching programme involve the following topics:

1. Understanding and knowledge of the basic principles of classical Veterinary Homoeopathic doctrine in the veterinary clinical situation
2. Knowledge of clinical semiology as it is conceived in Veterinary Homoeopathic practice; knowing how to recognize the symptoms that are useful in prescribing
3. Knowledge of the Homoeopathic materia medica and repertory and especially Veterinary Homoeopathic materia medica and the therapeutic indications, key notes and peculiarities for each remedy, such as they are understood in homoeopathy
4. Translation of homeopathic information into veterinary homeopathy

II. STUDY OF THEORY

The objectives of the study and teaching of Veterinary Homoeopathic theory include:

• Therapy according to the law of similars
• The concept of individualisation, perception and evaluation of the Totality of Symptoms
• The knowledge and skill to collect a complete symptom picture
• The knowledge that the application of the principle of the Totality of Symptoms demands the inclusion of the past medical history of the patient
• The knowledge and skill to asses the symptoms and modalities and how to hierarchise them

The search for the most suitable medicine in accordance with the Veterinary Homoeopathic remedy picture, basing this upon:

• Coarse toxicological signs
• Fine toxicological signs from remedy proving
• Principles of the transfer of symptoms from human materia medica to the animal situation
• Clinical applications
• Homoeopathic pharmacy
• Recognition of cellular and subcellular target functions as part of homoeopathic efficacy
• Covering of relevant biochemical and pharmacological results (HARISCH)

The student should acquire the necessary amount of knowledge of the basic principles of classical and clinical veterinary homoeopathy. This should include a working knowledge of the 'Organon' by HAHNEMANN as well as the leading literature of Human and Veterinary Homoeopathic medicine:

• The determination of the minimum useful dose and the correct method of administration
• The reactions to a remedy
• The repetition of a dose
• Chronic disease
• Miasm theory and its application in practice
• Development of disease
• Prevention of illness
• The provings of remedies by controlled experimentation
• The approach to be adopted in emergencies and terminal cases
• Palliation and suppression
• Antidotation
• Placebo effects and the use of placebo

III. STUDY OF MATERIA MEDICA

The student should have an in-depth knowledge of the major Homoeopathic remedies and especially of the remedies used in the day-to-day practice of veterinary homoeopathy.

The remedies should be studied in a standard way, including:

• Name and synonyms (usual name, designations and appropriate abbreviations)
• Origin of the remedy (physical, chemical, botanical or zoological origin and possibly systematic position) composition and active components
• Toxicology (acute, chronic)
• Non-homoeopathic use (herbal medicine or phytotherapy), popular medicine, conventional medicine (if appropriate)
• Homoeopathic function (physiological) of the remedies (including constitutional characteristics and diatheses)
• Aetiology, modalities, periodicity (Aetiology; clinical and homoeopathic causes; modalities: temporal, physical, physiological, mental; periodic and alternating symptoms
• Veterinary remedy picture, containing behaviour, general symptoms, regional symptoms, organ related symptoms, local symptoms and modalities
• Proven indications and practical examples
• Relationships and interactions
• Special remarks (central remedy picture, key and guiding symptoms, pharmacodynamic levels, fundamental effect, caricature and characteristic symptoms. If possible these properties should be applied to each common domesticated animal species)
• Case studies (according to animal species, mental, physical ore based upon syndromes, etc.)
• Literature of the remedy

Each school has to propose a list of a minimum of 100 remedies of which about (or at least) 60 remedies have to be chosen to be studied. The teaching in materia medica should bring to life the text in the books.

IV. CLINICAL PRACTICE

The objective of practical training is to achieve the following knowledge and skills:

• Case-taking
• Special emphasis should be given to the patient's history previous to the pathognomic modifications in addition to the current symptoms
• Analysis of the totality of the symptoms, including all relevant diagnostic techniques (for example: clinical examination, X-Ray, laboratory tests, ultra-sound etc)
• Identification and analysis of mental, general, local and peculiar symptoms along with causations and modalities
• Evaluation and hierarchisation
• Application of techniques to find the appropriate medicine in each case (for example: repertorisation, proven indications, constitutional or aetiological prescribing)
• Systematic follow-up of the course of the reaction following the administration of the indicated medicine
• Reasons for repetition of the remedy or potency
• Reasons for change of remedy or potency
• Knowledge of the available literature on homoeopathy and the ability to apply it
• Understanding the relationships and interactions between Homoeopathy and conventional and all other relevant therapeutic techniques
• Taking part in a proving is recommended because it enhances the power of observation as much in a Veterinarian as in a practitioner of human medicine

V. STRUCTURE OF TEACHING AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DIPLOMA

The training programme should be spread over a period of at least three years and should be directed toward a minimum of 120 lecture hours. In any of these years there must be a minimum of 20 hours teaching.

The teaching should contain theory, Materia Medica and practical training. For the latter clinical demonstrations are especially recommended.

Practical apprenticeship periods are also recommended. These can be achieved via supervised practice, "seeing practice", videotaped cases or monitored cases.

Applicants to diploma will be required to present 10 cases from at least 2 species, 3 of which must be chronic and have been under treatment for at least 6 months.

Applicants to diploma must undergo a test where the level of knowledge is judged against this programme's minimum standards. For this purpose an examination will be set. This should be divided into written, oral and practical sessions.

Examinations should be regularly supervised by the IAVH according to scientific standards.

The applicant must submit an article which is approved for publication in a Veterinary Homoeopathic scientific journal.

To keep the diploma, continuing education is essential. Every two years a diplomat is required to attend 20 hours of courses.

To ensure quality courses for the diploma and continuing education must be accredited by IAVH. They will receive accreditation if they fulfil the requirements of the Minimum Standards for Veterinary Specialisation.

The IAVH should recognise diplomas or certificates from Veterinary Homoeopathic schools which practice the Minimum Standards for Veterinary Specialisation as defined here.

Approved courses must be led by an IAVH recognised teacher.

VI. REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS

A recognised teacher must hold the diploma and in addition must have a minimum of 5 years practical experience in Veterinary Homoeopathy.

However, it must be possible to participate in a teaching programme as a lecturer before becoming a recognised teacher. For this reason training seminars for teachers are recommended.

Examinations can only be set and held by recognised teachers who have at least three years experience in teaching Veterinary Homoeopathy.

To maintain recognition teachers must do a minimum of 5 hrs per year teaching to health professionals plus a further 5 hrs involvement with courses or conferences.

VII. FOUNDATION DIPLOMATS AND TEACHERS

To start the system an initial corps of teachers and examiners is required. For this purpose the IAVH Organizing Committee for Specialisation (OCS) will have the power to select personnel of sufficient experience and quality to become foundation diplomats, recognised teachers and examiners in the following manner:

• Foundation Specialists

Foundation diplomats and teachers may be created by one or a combination of the following procedures:

1. Invitation
2. 'de facto' recognition
3. Examination

The methods of assessing 1, 2 and 3 will be the responsibility of the OCS of the IAVH. The following guidelines for assessment are laid down:

1. Invitation
   These veterinarians are invited by the OCS to accept the title of 'diplomat' or 'teacher' and the associated rights and duties.
   For 'diplomats' the OCS will consider veterinarians who:
   • have been active in veterinary homoeopathy for the last 8 years
   • are internationally well-known for their expertise and are accepted as authorities in veterinary homoeopathy
   For 'teachers' the OCS will in addition look for:
   • 5 years teaching experience in Veterinary Homoeopathy
   • a minimum of 5 publications in recognised journals
   From these veterinarians the OCS will invite individuals to form a panel.
2. 'de facto' recognition
   Veterinarians who wish to become considered as 'de facto' diplomats or teachers may apply for registration by submitting to the OCS invited panel:
   • a curriculum vitae
   • a description of the way their expertise was acquired
   • a description of the way their speciality is currently practised
   On the basis of this information, the OCS invited panel decides whether to proceed with further consideration of the applicant. It may be that the OCS would require such applicants applying for 'de facto' recognition to be subjected to examination.
3. Examination
   The Applicant's knowledge in Veterinary Homoeopathy should approximate the level which can be acquired from recent relevant textbooks and journals. The applicant is examined in the following manner:
   • All applicants are requested to submit 5 essay questions in confidence. The OCS invited panel may use these questions as such or may edit the text
   • All applicants submit two questions with the answers, These will be judged by the OCS invited panel
   • Each applicant is asked to answer 10 questions, excluding questions that he or she has submitted
   • A mark of 55% is regarded as sufficient for acceptance
   Practical skills:
   The applicant is asked to submit a list of activities that convey the level of his or her professional work. This should be further illustrated by appendices such as case reports, photographs, radiographs, etc. The OCS invited panel may visit the premises of the applicant to observe procedures and equipment.
   In judgement, special attention will be given to:
   • the percentage of professional activities that is devoted to Veterinary Homoeopathy
   • the procedures used and in what frequency
   • maintenance of records
   In case of a negative decision by the OCS invited panel, the applicant may enter an appeal within 3 months of the mailing date of this decision.

VIII. ARBITRATION

In all cases of contention an IAVH ARBITRATION COMMITTEE can be called in to adjudicate.

IX. REFERENCES

1. Basic Teaching Standards of LMHI

2. Veterinary Specialisation in Europe (Working document of the EAVS, March 1991)