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National Guild of Hypnotists
Attention NGH Members
Sent: January 13, 2012

NGH President
Dr. Dwight Damon
National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc.

Dear Guild Member,
To keep our members aware of a situation in Florida which is ongoing for almost a year, I've asked for input from our top NGH Advisors and it is felt that we want to make all of you abreast of what has transpired.

It has been reported in the Herald Tribune of Sarasota, Florida that North Port Principal George Kenney has been formally charged on Tuesday, November 10th, 2012, with the unlicensed practice of hypnosis. The charges of unlicensed practice of hypnosis carry a maximum of up to one year in jail. The charges stemmed from from the deaths of 3 students Kenney hypnotized but it is not alleged that hypnotism contributed to these deaths. The deaths brought Kenney's practice of hypnotism to the attention of the authorities who conducted an investigation by obtaining statements from approximately 100 people. Kenney's attorney, Mark Zimmerman stated that prosecutors will need to convince a jury that Kenney practiced "therapeutic" hypnosis without a proper license, which is against the law in Florida unless conducted by or under the monitoring of a licensed medical professional. Kenney took hypnosis training courses, but does not have a medical license. Last year many parents and students spoke in favor of Kenney as helping so many students in their endeavors.

The NGH has maintained that hypnosis is not a therapeutic discipline and that therapy rests solely with licensed medical and health professionals. We believe that Kenney is innocent of these charges however also believe that talking to the media and writing blogs in good faith to help Kenney cannot truly help him and probably will be misinterpreted by the authorities. The NGH is open to cooperating with the defense in the form of expert testimony if requested, and has started a fund to aid Kenney in his defense. If any NGH member desires to contribute to this fund however small the amount may be, send a check to the National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc., PO Box 308, Merrimack, NH 03054 and please mark the check on the bottom "George Kenney Fund". The NGH has started this fund with $1000. Now it is time to help.

You can also submit your payment on our secure donation form at https://ngh.net/legislation/ngh-nfh-legislation-donation-form/

Dr. Dwight F. Damon
NGH President