THE VETERINARY BOTANICAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATION

DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE HERBAL PRACTICE SINCE 2002

WHAT IS THE VBMA?

Founded in 2002, The Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association, or VBMA, is a group of veterinary professionals and herbalists dedicated to developing responsible herbal practice by encouraging research and education, strengthening industry relations, keeping herbal tradition alive as a valid information source, and increasing professional acceptance of herbal medicine for animals. 

Whether you're just beginning to explore the possibility of incorporating herbal medicine into your practice, or if you're already utilizing herbal medicine but wish to learn more, the VBMA is here to help you on your journey via educational opportunities, consultations and conversations with your peers on our members only website, access to our Herbal Wiki Index, and much more!

READY TO PUT OUR MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR YOU?

In Memoriam - Dr. Ihor Basko

The veterinary community mourns the loss of Dr. Ihor Basko, who passed away on February 14, 2026, just one day after celebrating his 79th birthday. Dr. Basko’s impact was felt by countless clients and their animals, whose lives were improved through his thoughtful and integrative care. His dedication to advancing veterinary medicine was rooted in service, compassion, and community.

A Celebration of Life for our dear friend Ihor will be held on January 31st, 2027 from 1-4 PM at the Lydgate Park Pavilion in Lihue, HI. We hope you'll join us as we honor a live dedicated to healing animals, people, and the natural world he loved so deeply.
 "Targeted Botanicals in Oncology",
presented by Kendra Pope, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), CVA, CVCH, CVFT, CVTP

RECORDING WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE SOON!

VBMA AT AHVMA

The VBMA will be at the 2026 American Holistic Veterinary Association Conference in San Diego, CA October 3rd - 6th. Don't miss our speaker, Jim Skoein, LaC, Dipl.AC, and we hope you'll join us on our Annual Herbwalk on Friday, October 2nd.

2026 ACVBM/VBMA ONLINE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

SATURDAY & SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14th & 15th
TOPIC: GI ISSUES

Our speaker, Jason Miller, DACM, LAc., Dipl OM (NCCAOM), will be lecturing for six hours on Sunday, November 15th.

Our friends at the ACVBM are joining us in the educational venture and are sponsoring Saturday's speakers:
David Winston, RH(AHG) (2.5 hours)
Hue Karreman, VMD, BS, FACVBM (2 hours)
Cindy Lankenau, DVM, CVA, CVCHM, RH (AG), FACVBM(1.5 hours)

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

VBMA LEARNING LIBRARY

The VBMA has been sponsoring educational opportunities since 2008, all of which we offer as recordings to allow you to learn at your own pace as your schedule permits. There are currently 20 teleseminar audio recordings, 19 webinar video recordings, and 9 conference lecture recordings available for you to choose from! Anyone is welcome to purchase access to items in the VBMA Learning Library, veterinarians and non-veterinarians alike. Join the VBMA and start learning right away! all our Teleseminar Audio Recordings are available for FREE on our Member Website, AND all new members receive access to a FREE Webinar Recording of their choosing!

FIND A VETERINARIAN NEAR YOU

Are you looking for a veterinarian in  your area who provides complementary and alternative treatments for pets? The VBMA has member veterinarians in the United States, as well as in many other countries around the world. Click below to find one near you!

WHY USE HERBS IN YOUR PRACTICE? 

VBMA Members Cindy Lankenau, Marge Lewter, and Jamie Moran share their answers to that question and more in the videos below!
​VBMA ENDORSES QUALITY HERBAL PRODUCTS
​VBMA recognizes that the herbal product industry has faced quality control and regulatory challenges, and we recommend supporting those companies attempting to self regulate in a meaningful way. Companies that manufacture herbal products marketed for humans should be members of the American Herbal Products Association, an industry organization which explores issues, interacts with regulators, and establishes policy.  Veterinary product companies should be members of the National Animal Supplement Council, an organization which develops policies and procedures on adverse event reporting and quality control.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR PET OWNERS
The VBMA does not endorse any products sold on the internet for self prescribing to animals. We believe in the interests of safety that any herb should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. There are companies using our name with the suggestion that we endorse their recommendations or products. We specifically DO NOT support any website that unethically sells herbs to the public for non prescribed use in animals.  If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a claim made on a website about VBMA, please contact us at [email protected]. You may use the 'find a veterinarian' link on our site menu to find a qualified practitioner near you.
All content © the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association 2026.
​The VBMA is not affiliated with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM).

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