INTERNATIONAL EQUINE TOUCH ASSOCIATION - IETA

With the spread of Equine Touch throughout the world it was decided at an international conference in Colorado in 2004  that a self regulatory body be formed which would run separately from the Equine Touch Foundation, the teaching arm of  Equine Touch and be in control of practice, behavior, standards and discipline  of the practitioners and students alike.  While this is an international society each country operates its own Chapter of this association, its members voting the for directors and committee members annually.

The International Equine Touch Association (IETA) is the professional body for both Equine Touch (ET) and Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique (VHT) students and practitioners.  Members of IETA voluntarily commit themselves to be governed by a Code of Ethics. This Code ensures that practitioners and students of both the techniques are committed to high standards, professionalism and the care of their client either equine or human.  All Equine Touch and VHT Practitioners must be a member in good standing of IETA to practice under the name of Equine Touch and VHT respectively. 

Practitioner members are required to attend mandatory Ongoing Professional Development days, a minimum of two days every two years or face being relegated under the rules of the association.

IETA AND EQUINE TOUCH FOUNDATION - ETF - CODE OF ETHICS

• IETA’s Ethics and Standards of Practice Committee oversees adherence to the Code and should a complaint be received about a member, has the ultimate power to remove that person from membership.
• While practicing as an Equine Touch Practitioner or VHT Practitioner, shall:
• Have a sincere commitment to provide the highest quality of care to those who seek professional services.
• Represent the Equine Touch/VHT and their qualifications honestly, including their educational achievements and professional affiliations and will provide only the services, which they are  “qualified” or trained to provide.
• Accept that it is their responsibility to know what the laws of any country, state, county/parish or city are related to soft tissue body work on equines or humans and will not work outside those laws.
• Never diagnose or use the word diagnosis, or intimate that I am diagnosing to relate to any problem presented by an equine or human unless I am a qualified veterinary or medical physician.
• Never give advice or instructions to any owner as to the care or care management of their horse which would be contrary to that given by a licensed veterinary surgeon or that which they are  not trained to give.
• While in the role of Equine Touch or Vibromuscular Harmonization Practitioner, they will never give advice on or recommend any form of health supplement to be ingested if they are not certified to do so.
• While in the role of an Equine Touch Practitioner never use any other modality or discipline without the express permission of the owner of the animal or the attending veterinarian.
• While in the role of an Equine Touch Practitioner never use any modality which is not expressly covered by any insurance policy the practitioner may hold.
• Not under any circumstances use any title or description which gives the impression that they are a practitioner of veterinary medicine or a health care provider if they are not licensed as such.
• Refrain from using the title therapist unless they are legally qualified to call themselves as such.
• Never use the words heal, or intimate by word or by any other medium to any person that by using the procedures taught by the Equine Touch Foundation they can heal any problem real or imagined.
• Accurately inform clients, animal health care professionals and the general public of the scope and limits of their discipline.
• Acknowledge any contraindications of any discipline, which they practice.
• Practice the procedures only where there is a reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the equine or human.
• Consistently maintain and improve professional knowledge and competence, striving for professional excellence through regular assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses and through ongoing education training.
• Conduct their business and professional activities with honesty, integrity and respect of the inherent worth of all animals and humans.
• Refrain from making any degrading or negative remarks regarding any other discipline art, therapy or therapist or practitioner of the same.
• They will not actively solicit another Practitioner’s known clients.
• They will not incur debt of any kind in the name of the ETF or IETA.
• Never act in any manner which is likely to bring Equine Touch into disrepute with any member of the public.