Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Track

Learn all the tools you need to fully integrate acupuncture into your practice

Australia
Small Animal
English
Adelaide.png

Program Overview

The Acupuncture Course Track is presented in 2 online and 3 hybrid sessions.

During the online portions, you’ll overview the theories and frameworks needed for diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture patients. You then explore these frameworks more practically in recorded demos on live patients.

When you arrive for the on-site portions, you’ll gather with classmates in live lectures on treating specific conditions, building on top of the online lectures. After lunch, you then split up into smaller lab groups allowing you to locate and discuss acupuncture points on live animals facilitated by instructors certified in acupuncture.

AUS1.jpg

Major Topics

With a curriculum designed for students new to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), the Small Animal Acupuncture Program provides a comprehensive mix of both theory and practice. Students will learn

  • TCVM Foundations: Five Elements, Yin-Yang, Eight Principles, Zang-Fu Physiology and Pathology, Meridians and Channels
  • The scientific basis of acupuncture
  • 129 transpositional and 28 classical canine acupuncture points (hands-on, wet-lab demos)
  • How to needle acupuncture points in dogs, cats and birds
  • TCVM diagnostic systems, including tongue and pulse diagnosis
  • How to integrate acupuncture into your practice
AUS2 Cropped.jpg

Additional Benefits

Once enrolled for the Acupuncture Certification Track at Chi, you will receive:

  • Complimentary canine acupoint chart
  • Complimentary 32-hour Evidence-Based Veterinary Acupuncture Course
  • 1-year complimentary membership with the World Association of TCVM (WATCVM)
  • Free lifetime case consultation by Chi faculty

Program Features

Open to all veterinarians who are fluent in English

Enjoy the convenience of online learning with 40 hours hands-on learning plus 4 hours on-site tutoring and real case demos

Learn from Dr. Xie, the master of veterinary acupuncture

In-person sessions feature intensive hands on learning with live animals in small lab group

Start practicing acupuncture on patients after the first on-site session

Earn up to 25% of future master's degree credit per experiential learning

Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Track

Taught in English

For veterinarians only

138 CE Hours

Curriculum

Introduction to Whole Course and History of Veterinary Acupuncture

1h

What is Acupuncture?

1h

Veterinary Acupuncture: Scientific Basis

2h

Yin-Yang

1h

Eight Principles

1h

Five Elements

2h

Zang-Fu Physiology

2h

Channels and Meridians

2h

General Rules of Acupuncture

4h

Indications for Veterinary Acupuncture

2h

How to Start your Acupuncture Practice: Cookbook

1h

How Do I Start My Acupuncture Practice

1h

Anatomy for Acupuncturists

1h

Canine Point Lab

12h

Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question & Answer

4h

Five Elements and Zang-Fu Physiology

2h

Five-Shu Transporting Points

2h

Other Special Points

1h

TCVM Diagnosis Intro

1h

Demo - How to Treat Canine Diseases

2h

How to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

2h

How to Treat Respiratory Disorders

2h

How to Treat Bi/Wei Syndromes

1h

How to Treat Osteoarthritis and IVDD

1h

Demo - Canine Acupuncture Cases

2h

Five Treasure: Qi, Blood, Shen, Jing, and Body Fluid Physiology and Pathology

4h

TCVM Diagnosis

4h

Eight Extraordinary Channels

2h

Etiology and Pathology

2h

How to Select Acupoints

1h

How to Make a TCVM Diagnosis (Dry Lab)

2h

Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders

2h

How to Approach Clinical Cases

1h

How to Improve Acupuncture Results

2h

Small Animal Cases: a TCVM Approach

3h

Canine Point Lab

12h

Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question & Answer

4h

Review from Session 1-3

1h

How to Treat Renal Failure

1h

How to Treat Heart Failure

1h

How to Treat Behavioral Problems

1h

Introduction to Herbal Medicine

2h

Introduction to Food Therapy

1h

Acupuncture for the Liver

2h

How to Treat Skin Problems

2h

Acupuncture for Cancer

2h

Feline Acupuncture

2h

Case Studies from Students

1h

Avian Acupuncture

2h

Exotic Animal Acupuncture

1h

Canine Point Lab

8h

Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question and Answer

4h

Overview of Sessions 1-4

1h

Acupuncture for Endocrine Disorders

2h

Acupuncture for Immune-Mediated Diseases

2h

Clinical Applications of TCVM

2h

Introduction to Tui-na

1h

Liver Physiology and Pathology

1h

Lung Physiology and Pathology

1h

Spleen Physiology and Pathology

1h

Heart Physiology and Pathology

1h

Kidney Physiology and Pathology

1h

TCVM Overview

1h

How to Sell TCVM

1h

Certification

Students of the Veterinary Acupuncture program are eligible for the Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist certification endorsed by Chi University and the World Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (WATCVM). The CVA certification requirements are as follows:

  • Complete all sessions of the program

  • Pass three online quizzes with scores above 75%

  • Pass the final written exam in the final on-site session with a score above 75%

  • Pass the clinical acupoint exam in the final on-site session with a score above 75%

  • Submit one veterinary acupuncture case report to be approved

  • Complete 30 hours of advanced TCVM program training or internship with a certified veterinary acupuncturist

Please note that Chi cannot issue any certification to veterinary students until their DVM or equivalent has been obtained.

See the documents needed for certification here

Textbooks

TCVM: Fundamental Principles

by Huisheng Xie and Vanessa Preast

Xie's Veterinary Acupuncture

by Huisheng Xie and Vanessa Preast

Clinician's Guide to Canine Acupuncture

by Curtis Wells Dewey and Huisheng Xie

Instructors

Dr. Xie has 41 years of clinical, teaching, and research experience in veterinary acupuncture and TCVM. He has trained over 10,000 veterinarians to practice TCVM worldwide. Dr. Xie’s education includes advanced training in veterinary medicine, veterinary acupuncture, and human acupuncture. Dr. Xie has authored 20 books and over 100 peer-reviewed papers. His textbooks, including Xie’s Veterinary Herbology, Xie’s Veterinary Acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine-Fundamental Principles, have been used for TCVM training programs around the world. Dr. Xie continues to teach and develop educational courses and programs at Chi University, serves as a full clinical professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and is an honorary professor at China Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and China Southwest University.

Read more

Dr. Clemmons graduated with his DVM from Washington State University. There, he also was granted a PhD in veterinary science (emphasis in neurophysiology and clinical neurology). Dr. Clemmons then took a faculty position at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine where he practiced neurology and neurosurgery for 35 years before joining the private Veterinary Specialty Hospitals in Florida. Dr. Clemmons, a board-certified specialist in Neurology, has published over 100 peer-reviewed original studies, reviews, papers and abstracts and given numerous presentations, both in the US and abroad. At UF, he has had an active research program and is known for his work on platelet physiology and in the study of neurodegenerative diseases such as degenerative myelopathy. He has developed a number of innovative neurosurgical techniques including fixation of atlantoaxial subluxation and Wobbler’s syndrome. Dr. Clemmons taught veterinary and graduate students at the University of Florida for 35 years. Dr. Clemmons became a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) at Chi in 2000. He was certified in TCVM Food therapy (CVFT) from Chi in 2009. He integrates Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and nutrition into his practice. He is a national and international speaker in the field of neurology and the science of veterinary acupuncture.

Dr. Kinghorn received her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Murdoch University in 1999 and began her veterinary career in general practice, as well as various emergency and critical care hospitals in Australia and the United Kingdom. When she discovered how much TCM enriched her own life, she decided to pursue this path in her veterinary career and earned a certification in veterinary acupuncture in 2013, followed by completion of the veterinary tui-na (veterinary medical massage) course at Chi University. Dr. Kinghorn’s veterinary clinic specializes in TCVM treatment of small animal patients using acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, tui-na, and exercise therapy. During this time, Dr. Kinghorn earned a Bachelor Degree in acupuncture and is now practicing TCM and TCVM in her clinic in Adelaide, Australia. In 2014, she joined Chi Australia as an administrator and, in 2015, became Director of Chi Australia. Dr. Kinghorn is dedicated to sharing her passion for TCVM with all current and future veterinary acupuncturists.

Gaby graduated from Veterinary School in Ecuador, South America, with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Her interests have always been related to canine behavior and holistic medicine with a special passion in Chinese Medicine. After living in Galapagos for a year working in Public Health, Gaby realized she wanted to go deeper in the healing path and for this reason, she worked in Canine Physiotherapy before she came to Australia to continue her dream of offering the best quality life for pets.

She joined the Chi University to begin her studies in TCVM and finished the Small Animal Acupuncture course in 2019.

Gaby is currently a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, a Canine Myofunctional Therapist, and a Canine Whole Energy Body Balance Teacher and Practitioner. She is passionate about Chinese Veterinary Medicine and is looking forward to sharing that with future students.

Directors

Dr. Kinghorn received her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Murdoch University in 1999 and began her veterinary career in general practice, as well as various emergency and critical care hospitals in Australia and the United Kingdom. When she discovered how much TCM enriched her own life, she decided to pursue this path in her veterinary career and earned a certification in veterinary acupuncture in 2013, followed by completion of the veterinary tui-na (veterinary medical massage) course at Chi University. Dr. Kinghorn’s veterinary clinic specializes in TCVM treatment of small animal patients using acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, tui-na, and exercise therapy. During this time, Dr. Kinghorn earned a Bachelor Degree in acupuncture and is now practicing TCM and TCVM in her clinic in Adelaide, Australia. In 2014, she joined Chi Australia as an administrator and, in 2015, became Director of Chi Australia. Dr. Kinghorn is dedicated to sharing her passion for TCVM with all current and future veterinary acupuncturists.

Administrators

Gaby graduated from Veterinary School in Ecuador, South America, with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Her interests have always been related to canine behavior and holistic medicine with a special passion in Chinese Medicine. After living in Galapagos for a year working in Public Health, Gaby realized she wanted to go deeper in the healing path and for this reason, she worked in Canine Physiotherapy before she came to Australia to continue her dream of offering the best quality life for pets.

She joined the Chi University to begin her studies in TCVM and finished the Small Animal Acupuncture course in 2019.

Gaby is currently a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, a Canine Myofunctional Therapist, and a Canine Whole Energy Body Balance Teacher and Practitioner. She is passionate about Chinese Veterinary Medicine and is looking forward to sharing that with future students.

Enrollment Options

Semester

2025

First Year Vet?

Schedule & Tuition

The tuition is 20% off the current regular fee for new graduates.

Session 1 and 2

Location

Location of class

Adelaide, South Australia

16 Croydon Road

Keswick 5035

SA

Contact for hotel & accommodation recommendations

Dr. Carolin Kinghorn

au@chiu.edu

Session 3 and 4

Location

Location of class

Adelaide, South Australia

16 Croydon Road

Keswick 5035

SA

Contact for hotel & accommodation recommendations

Dr. Carolin Kinghorn

au@chiu.edu

Session 5

Location

Location of class

Adelaide, South Australia

16 Croydon Road

Keswick 5035

SA

Contact for hotel & accommodation recommendations

Dr. Carolin Kinghorn

au@chiu.edu

Payment Information

A A$150.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.

Payment is due 30 days before the start date of each session or course.

Add-ons

CVA Certification

A$350.00

Frequently Asked Questions

You must start at session one and continue along in order. If you have mitigating circumstances, you will have to defer all following sessions until the next semester.