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?

VBMA 2026 ECOTOUR - JUNE 12th - 16th

Herbal immersion in the Green Mountains of Vermont.  Join us at Seyon Lodge, located in Groton State Park!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

​Participation is limited to 20 people to preserve the intimacy of the experience, so sign up now to reserve your spot!
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Registration Price:
VBMA Members: $445.00, Non-Members &495.00​

NOTE: LODGING IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE. 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE - CLICK HERE!
This June, we will be gathering in Vermont for the VBMA EcoTour, a small, immersive experience centered on herbal medicine, connection with the land, and caring for the animals—and people—who depend on us.

At a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain, there is something deeply grounding about learning the plants that grow in our own forests and fields. During this EcoTour we will spend time exploring the local medicinal plants of Vermont, learning how they can be grown, harvested, and prepared into simple herbal remedies that support both animals and the humans who care for them.

But this gathering is about more than herbs alone. We will also spend meaningful time exploring care for the caregiver, discussing approaches to hospice care for animals nearing the end of life, and learning about herbal allies that can support the process of grief and emotional healing.

Our time together will include a forest and meadow walk with herbalist Cynthia Lankenau, where we will meet the plants in their living environment, and a medicinal mushroom presentation by Dr. Rob Silver, exploring the remarkable ways fungi can support health and resilience.

One of the highlights of the EcoTour will be a day spent at Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary, the former home of renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. This remarkable sanctuary has long been a center for herbal learning and stewardship, and it offers a rare opportunity to experience the landscape that helped shape modern herbalism in North America.​
We will also spend a day visiting a local organic herb farm, where we will see how medicinal plants are grown, harvested, and crafted into herbal products and formulas. While we are there, we will take a special excursion to a nearby Vermont maple sugar farm, where we’ll learn about the traditional process behind one of Vermont’s most beloved plant-based treasures—maple syrup.
And just as important, there will be time to slow down—time for quiet walks in the Vermont woods, good conversation, shared meals, and the kind of connection that reminds us why we do this work.

​If this speaks to you, we would truly love to have you join us. 

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 2025.
​The VBMA is not affiliated with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM).