Advances in veterinary medicine parallel much of what is done where humans are concerned — and it's all pretty amazing. Advances in veterinary medicine parallel much of what is done where humans are concerned — and it's all pretty amazing.

Despite the differences in our physiology and the way that things are handled, pets can benefit from using many of the same principles that are applied to humans.

Addressing pain in both companion animals and humans has come a long way, as I have written in the past. The use of massage, new medications, acupuncture and hydrotherapy have gained popularity, and according to some pets owners, provided good results, just as they have with people.

With medical marijuana dispensaries gaining popularity across the country, it's probably no surprise that a there would be someone willing to market cannabis to be used for pets.

A businessman in Washington state is touting the potential benefits of his company's marijuana patch, called Tetracan, for addressing pets' medical problems, like pain.

Jim Alekson, along with partners Chester Soliz and Walter Cristobal — developer of the patch — hope to have it ready for marketing by the end of 2011. The three men formed their company, Medical Marijuana Delivery Systems, in 2010 and currently have a patent on the patch.