A DUNFERMLINE vet who has been in the unusual position of treating both pets and people with acupuncture has published her first book.

In ‘Acupuncture Tails’, Dr Jane Hunter shares a series of heart-warming and uplifting stories of dogs and cats overcoming debilitating illness and how some owners were so impressed by their pets’ recovery, they turned to her for help with their own ailments!

In its pages you meet Paulo the French bulldog, who was crippled due to a traumatic spinal injury but who quickly got back to running along the beach after just a few sessions of acupuncture.

Then there’s Labrador Oscar, who gained a new lease of life after treatment for osteoarthritis which so impressed his owner Pat, that she asked if Jane could treat her too.

Jane found that she could and both Oscar and Pat were able to come off their painkillers as a result. This led to Jane renting a room at Milhill GP Surgery in Dunfermline for 16 years to treat humans as well.

Recently-retired Jane launched ‘Acupuncture Tails’ last week at Dunfermline Rugby Club. She said: “After 21 years of seeing how acupuncture can help animals, some of whose owners were at the end of their tether after trying many conventional treatments, I wrote Acupuncture Tails because I want more people to know just how effective it can be.

“It is a bit of a postcode lottery whether it is available at your vets or doctors.

“Tails has been three years in the making. It is very much a celebration of what acupuncture can do for dogs, cats and people, treating pain, helping with mobility and a variety of conditions.

“I am very grateful for the willingness of the pet owners and human patients to give their permission to share their quite amazing stories. It really has been a communal experience!”

Jane qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1983, practised in the UK and Australia, completed a PhD at Liverpool and worked in the diagnosis of farm animal disease and as a lecturer in New Zealand before returning home in 1999 to work at Ryan and Calder (now Albavet) in Dunfermline.

She attended a lecture on acupuncture while at a conference in Tasmania and, despite her initial scepticism, she was inspired to train with the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) and was awarded their diploma in 2006.

Acupuncture Tails (£14.95) is available from the reception at Albavet, 24 St Margaret Street, Dunfermline and also online soon. For more information see www.janeebhunter.vet