North Dakota

March 7, 2025

The North Dakota Senate has recently brought to light a significant development in the field of veterinary medicine. Senate Bill 2129, introduced by the Workforce Development Committee at the request of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, aims to update the regulations pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine. Specifically, as it relates to PEMF professionals, the bill includes the addition of “complementary, integrative, and alternative therapies” within the scope of veterinary medicine. You can read the updated statutes here: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-8033-02000.pdf.

During the North Dakota Senate meeting on February 14, 2025, concerns related to “equine practitioners” were addressed. The board’s consensus indicated a reluctance to heavily regulate these professionals, with a focus on addressing any potential “bad actors.” However, as it currently stands, the bill states that “complementary and alternative therapies would only be allowed to be performed legally by DVMs if this bill passes.” The potential implications of this legislation are far-reaching and require thoughtful consideration. Leaving the wording of the updated statutes and hoping they are not enforced is an unacceptable overreach. This specifically came up and was discussed. You can listen in and hear exactly what was said at the 1:10:16 mark here: https://video.ndlegis.gov/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20250226/-1/33162?startposition=20250220131000#agenda_

In response to this development, the Association of PEMF Professionals (AOPP) has urged lawmakers to reconsider the inclusion of complementary and alternative therapies in the updated statute. To underscore the urgency and significance of the matter at hand, the AOPP is extending a call to action to all its members and PEMF supporters. Your participation is crucial in engaging North Dakota lawmakers and expressing your opinions on this matter. Your involvement can make a meaningful impact in advocating for the rights of animal owners, animal welfare, and PEMF business owners across the state and region.

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The AOPP Letter to North Dakota Lawmakers

Dear North Dakota Lawmakers,

We are writing to express our deep concerns regarding SB 2129 and its potential impact on small businesses in North Dakota that provide “complementary, integrative, and alternative therapies” to animals. The inclusion of these therapies within the updated definition of veterinary medicine could have devastating consequences for many businesses and animals in your state and surrounding areas.

By effectively shutting down hundreds of small businesses that offer these therapies, the proposed legislation will not only limit choices for animal owners but also significantly increase the workload for veterinarians and vet techs who are already in short supply. This will not only strain our already overburdened veterinary system but will also lead to negative impacts on animal health and welfare, particularly but not limited to equines.

As representatives of pulsed electromagnetic field professionals, we urge you to reconsider and revise SB 2129 to exclude “complementary, integrative, and alternative therapies” from the updated definition of veterinary medicine. This verbiage is an overreach that threatens to restrict the freedom of animal owners to choose the best care for their pets.

It is important to recognize that veterinarians have not and will not take over all of these options, and that animals benefit from a diverse range of therapies and treatments. By removing these options from the law, you will ensure that animals in North Dakota have access to the care options they need and deserve.

We urge you to consider the impact of this legislation on small businesses, animal owners, and the well-being of animals in North Dakota, and to take action to protect the rights and choices of all stakeholders involved.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The Association of PEMF Professionals

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North Dakota Agriculture Committee Member Contact Information

Representative Mike Beltz District 20 | R Chairman

[email protected]

701-430-1209

Representative Dori Hauck

[email protected]

218-790-1345

Representative Karen A. Anderson

[email protected]

Representative Gretchen Dobervich District 11 | D

[email protected]