A judge will allow a lawsuit filed by animal massage therapists to move forward. A state board had tried to get the suit dismissed.

Three animal massage therapists are suing the state’s Veterinary Medical Examining Board, which wants to regulate their work.

The plaintiffs argue that’s unconstitutional and said animal massage is a separate discipline.

The Attorney General’s office said the board has a legitimate interest in protecting public health and safety and a filed a motion to dismiss the therapists’ suit.

Monday, a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge denied that motion, writing the potential for disputes over the facts of the case would make a dismissal inappropriate.