For over 40 years, I have dedicated my life to fighting for health freedom and alternative healthcare for animals in Massachusetts and around the world. For more than 23 years, I have safely written medical exemptions for rabies vaccines for animals with threatening illness who had high enough rabies antibody levels to protect themselves. Recently, the Massachusetts Veterinary Board took away my license to practice veterinary medicine because I stood by my beliefs and my commitment to animal health freedom and veterinary medical ethics.

Veterinarians are required to protect the public from the terrible disease of rabies. The rabies vaccine works by triggering the body to produce antibodies that will protect the dog from rabies. The instructions for the vaccine specifically indicate that the vaccine should only be given to healthy animals. The Massachusetts Veterinary Board made the decision to take away my license because I refused to give a rabies vaccine to Vienna, an 11-year-old dog who has cancer and is positive for Lyme and Anaplasma. Vienna in my opinion, is not healthy enough to tolerate the rabies vaccine. In addition, Vienna’s aunt died after receiving the rabies vaccine which could indicate that Vienna is at additional risk from the rabies vaccine. Her daughter Malama, who is also positive for Lyme and Anaplasma, was tested for rabies antibodies and was found to have levels 5x higher than those required in Australia (Australia has the strictest rabies laws in the world).

The veterinary oath tells us to use our scientific skills and knowledge for the protection of animal, human and public health. This veterinary board has stated they do not believe in the veterinary oath; it is just an oath. If we don’t have an oath, what do we live by? As doctors, we need to be using our scientific knowledge, ethics, experience and love for their patients to help navigate the best care. It would be unethical to provide a rabies vaccine to an animal that is ill because doing so goes against the advice of the vaccine manufacturer and could result in adverse effects, including death. I stand by my ethics.

The funds raised here will go directly toward my legal defense, helping me fight to restore my license and continue my work. I am asking for your support—whether you want to stand with me for animal health freedom or simply help in any way you can. Every contribution makes a difference and means so much to me. I need help finding attorneys and individuals willing to stand up and help me stand up for these animals and for healthcare in general. This situation has been incredibly difficult, but I am determined to continue advocating for animals and their right to alternative healthcare. Thank you for standing with me during this challenging time.