HOLISTIC ANIMAL THERAPY ORGANISATION

                                       ACN: 137251391

                         Natural Animal Care You Can Trust

About HATO

Holistic Animal Therapy Association of Australia was formed in 1998 and the Holistic Animal Therapy Organisation (HATO) was established in 2009 to replace HATAA.

1. To represent animal therapists employing an eclectic use of healing methods and resources to address the whole animal - on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
2. To unify natural animal therapists who are not adequately represented by existing associations.
3. To provide formal recognition of qualified holistic animal therapists & to offer members access to competitive professional insurance cover
4. To allow the general public to locate qualified natural animal health practitioners that have met the stingent criteria necessary to become a member of our organisation

Who are we?

HATO is an incorporated organisation representing qualified natural animal therapists that practice a range of animal therapy disciplines.

The following natural animal therapies are acknowledged by our organisation:

Naturopathic Medicine, Homoeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Iridology, Clinical Nutrition, Remedial Massage, Chiropractic, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bowen Therapy, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Craniosacral Therapy, Equine Touch, Myofunctional Therapy, Myofascial Therapy, Animal Communication, Aromatherapy, Biochemic Tissue Salts, Tellington T-Touch Therapy, Colour Therapy, Crystal Healing, Flower Essence Therapy, Grief Counselling, Kinesiology, Alexander technique, Reflexology, Reiki and SpiritualHealing.

HATO practitioners may offer herbal remedies, homeopathic animal medicines, natural pet supplements, dietary recommendations for horses and other livestock, holistic pet food advice, massage, dog behaviour training, and many other types of natural remedies and animal holistic health treatments, depending on the practitioners qualification and area of expertise in natural animal medicine.  

Holistic Animal Therapy Organisation has the following aims:

To represent animal therapists who offer a diverse range of therapies to benefit the health of all animals

To offer continued support and unification for natural animal therapists through interaction with other holistic animal practitioners

To Provide formal recognition to qualified holistic animal therapists

To provide access to effective natural animal practitioners for animal owners and guardians

To allow members to have access to dedicated, professional indemnity insurance at reasonable rates

Statement of Purpose:

1. To advance the formal and professional recognition of holistic animal therapists
2. To represent the interests of and provide support for natural animal therapists through professional advice, information and an opportunity for social interaction
3. To set professional standards, a code of ethics and to provide access to suitable education for practitioners
4. To seek affiliation and accreditiation with like-minded groups and associations both in Australia and overseas
5. To promote public awareness of natural animal therapies and holistic animal care throughout the world
6. To be a forum for discussion and academic research in natural therapies particularly with regards to the safety and efficacy in relation to natural medicines and holistic therapies
7. To foster the teaching of natural animal health through media channels, community groups and educational institutions to increase the understanding of holisitic animal health care

Code of ethics

1. I conduct myself professionally at all times and present myself in harmony with generally accepted standards of dress, hygiene and behaviour.
2. I offer my professional services solely for the purpose of the total wellbeing of my clients and patients. I employ only those healing methods that are gentle, natural, safe and benevolent and that I am qualified to perform.
3. I ensure my role as an animal practitioner facilitates health, healing and well-being through an eclectic use of healing methods, information and resources to address the whole animal - mind, body and spirit.
4. I encourage clients to take greater responsibility for their animal companions’ health and wellbeing and allow them to decide how to work with healing their companion’s distress, disease or injury, given all the information available.
5. I do not denigrate other members of the healing or allied professionswhilst in the presence of a client or other lay persons.
6. I respect the privacy of the animals and guardians I work with and honour their desire for confidentiality.
7. I endeavour to maintain as high as possible a level of professional competence, seeking always to improve my professional standards and technical skillsin my work.
8. I acknowledge and abide by the current Acts of Parliament as they apply to my profession, therefore I do not offer a medical diagnosis or prognosis, nor make claim to cure disease, either personally or by means of the therapies I employ, nor claim to practice veterinary medicine in any of its branches, either verbally or in advertising.
9. I ensure that my clients seek diagnosis and treatment from a registered veterinary medical practitioner whenever necessary or appropriate for the welfare of their animals.
10. I respect the rights and dignity of each individual animal and their guardian and allow them to choose whether or not to accept my help. I communicate my intentions clearly, acknowledge the response and avoid the use of force against an animal’s wishes.
11. I ensure that all my dealings with others are on an ethical and honest basis at all times.
12. I honour the spirit and life of all beings. I walk in humility, offeringcompassion and non-judgement always.

The Holistic Animal Therapy Organisation is open to qualified practitioners of natural animal therapies.