Teaching French goat farmers (updated 4.10.12)

I am just back from a week in France teaching 50 goat farmers, who were practising organic methods and wanted to learn how they could incorporate Applied Zoopharmacognosy into the health of their herds. Tom also joined me to teach aspects of the science module which were well received from both the farmers, and the lectures who attended from the Agricultural College.

Previously some the farmers had been introduced to essential oil use by vets following the standard aromatherapy approach, however this was impractical and its use was largely discontinued. At the end of the lecture and demonstration the organiser said that the farmers could now see a new way forward with essential oils and other extracts that would be easier. This method would treat the whole herd while also allowing individual self-selection.

The goats had been put into enclosures according to their disease, mainly viral, bacterial and
parasitic. We gave the animals a choice of essential oils; thyme, garlic, clove, peppermint and melissa in buckets of water plus dried remedies such as Green Clay, Marigold Flowers, Devils Claw, Barley Grass Powder and Wormwood Powder (which was very popular with parasitic goats) amongst others.

The farmers were amazed to observe each herd selecting according to their diseases. The female goats who had just given birth generally selected painkillers such as St Johns Wort and Arnica macerated oil plus Barley Grass (this was the only group that selected Barley Grass). It is also probable that they selected these painkillers since many had the AECV virus that causes arthritis. None selected Devils Claw, usually taken for pain.

For every condition there was a combination of three main essential oils selected per group, however the common denominator throughout was Clove Oil. What we were also overwhelmed with was the hospitality we received from the farmers, especially those that we stayed with and our organiser Dr Bernadette Lichtfouse.

In addition I spent one day teaching an Equine practical workshop that was a lot of fun and to my surprise all the class bar two were English.

All in all a perfect, fulfilling and successful trip to France.

CPD

As an important part of our commitment to professional standards we are asking all graduates to maintain 8 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year.

This is stated in the IAZ code of ethics and professional practice published on the main website and can take the form of a workshop or research into an aspect of Zoopharmacognosy, or offering a days work at a rescue centre. You can either do a workshop at the IAZ or elsewhere, but proof of attendance will be required at renewal.

The new Diploma (as seen above) will therefore be valid for a one year period. This process has been in effect since the beginning of September with new graduates and we will be contacting older graduates over the coming weeks.

Clothing and leaflets will soon be available.

Grapeseed oil

The American Veterinary Medicine Association suggests that grapes and raisins can be toxic and fatal to dogs in rare instances; however, it is unclear as to whether the whole grape can be toxic or if it is just the flesh and skin (and not the seed oil). Even though we have had no known instances of poisoning with grapeseed oil, which dogs often select to great effect, we have decided to take it off the shop until more information becomes available.

This is a subject that is discussed in depth in the Science of Herbal extracts with Thomas

It is interesting to note that the Meerkats in the Blog posted below chose to roll grapes in clay before consuming.

IAZ update

I expect many of you will want to know what the Academy has been doing over the summer as the profession is increasingly recognised and as the IAZ becomes the self regulatory body for Applied Zoopharmacognosy

•  A new code of ethics has been designed for being the self regulatory body for Applied Zoopharmacognosy and the standards required to be a recognised professional

• The register of members is the next area I will be attending to and will differentiate between those who trained a long time ago in Animal Aromatics and those who hold a professional Diploma in Zoopharmacognosy

• Graduates of the IAZ can use the following letters after their name to distinguish their training: IAZ.dip

• New diploma design: reissued annually subject to CPD hours being achieved (8hours/annum). In line with other professional bodies this keeps the register associated with current members and anyone not keeping their training up to date will loose their membership and listing in the directory

• New courses have been developed for the Academy: Apothecary, and Counselling and client communication skills

• Most theory classes will be held at Bristol University Botanical Gardens

• Members of the register can purchase printed information leaflets on Zoopharmacognosy for self-promotion (once logo is finalised). Each member of the new register can claim 5 complementary leaflets

• The IAZ website has been updated with a lot more information and new images

• New professional logo in final design stages

• Clothing line with new logo to be launched soon