Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Track

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

Canada
Small Animal
English
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Overview

The acupuncture course is presented in 2 online and 3 hybrid sessions. Each hybrid session includes two portions: online & on-site.

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 come to Essex for the on-site portions, you’ll gather with classmates in small lab groups allowing you to locate and discuss acupuncture points on live animals. These acupuncture point labs are facilitated by instructors certified in acupuncture, and allow for personalized instruction.

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Major Topics

With a curriculum designed for students new to acupuncture, the Small Animal Acupuncture Program provides a comprehensive mix of both theory and practice. You will learn:

  • Frameworks used in acupuncture: Five Elements, Yin-Yang Eight Principles, Zang-Fu Physiology and Pathology, Meridians and Channels
  • The scientific basis of acupuncture
  • 157 canine acupuncture points on live animals
  • Acupuncture techniques: electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, moxibustion, and dry needling
  • TCVM diagnostic systems: patient personality, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and client inquiry
  • How to integrate acupuncture into your practice
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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

Enjoy the convenience of online learning plus the experience of hands-on labs

Learn from Dr. Xie, the master of veterinary acupuncture

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 & veterinary students only

138 RACE-approved CE hours

Curriculum

Introduction to the program and History Veterinary Acupuncture

1h

What is Acupuncture

1h

Veterinary Acupuncture: Scientific Basis

2h

Basic TCVM Theories - Yin Yang

1h

Eight Principles and Bian Zheng

1h

Five Elements

2h

Zang-Fu Physiology

2h

Channels and Meridians

2h

Top 10 Canine Acupoints and Clinical Applications

1h

General Rules of Acupuncture

4h

Indications for Veterinary Acupuncture

2h

How to Start your Acupuncture Practice

1h

Where Do I Start the Acupuncture Practice

1h

SA Anatomy for Acupuncturists

1h

Five Elements and Zang Fu physiology

1h

TCVM Diagnosis Intro

1h

Five-Shu Transporting Points

2h

Other Special Points and Clinical Applications

2h

How to Treat Canine Diseases-Demo

2h

How to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

2h

How to Treat Respiratory Disorders

2h

How to Treat Bi/Wei Syndromes, Osteoarthritis and IVDD

2h

Canine Acupuncture Cases-Demo

2h

Canine Point Lab

12h

Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question & Answer

4h

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

4h

TCVM Diagnosis

4h

Eight Extraordinary Channels

2h

Etiology and Pathology

2h

How to Select Acupoints

2h

How to Make a TCVM Diagnosis (Dry Lab)

2h

Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders

2h

How to Approach Clinical Cases

2h

How to Improve Acupuncture Results

2h

Bubble Chart Review

1h

A Quick Review from Sessions 1 to 3

1h

How to Treat Renal Failure

1h

How to Treat Heart Failure

1h

How to Treat Behavioral Problems

1h

Herbal Introduction

2h

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

1h

Exotic Animal Acupuncture

1h

Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question & Answer

4h

Canine Point Lab

12h

A Quick Review from Sessions 1 to 4

1h

Acupuncture for Endocrine Disorder

2h

Acupuncture for Immune-mediated Diseases

2h

Clinical Applications of TCVM

2h

Food Therapy Intro

1h

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

Canine Point Lab

8h

Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question and Answer

4h

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. Chrisman received her DVM from Michigan State University in 1968, an MS degree from the Ohio State University in 1974 and became certified in veterinary neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1976. Dr. Chrisman is a certified veterinary acupuncturist from Chi. She was a professor and Chief of the Neurology Service at UF for 30 years and integrated acupuncture into her neurology practice as well as a member of the UF Acupuncture Service. She is a Professor Emeritus at UF as well as the former Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and is on the Executive Board of the American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Janice Huntingford is a 1984 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph and a Board-Certified Specialist (Diplomate) in Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine (DACVSMR). She is certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, in Animal Acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, in Chinese Herbal Medicine through Chi University, and is a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. In 2007, Dr. Huntingford opened Ontario’s first saltwater canine therapy pool and canine rehabilitation centre. Dr. Huntingford lectures nationally and internationally on rehabilitation, acupuncture, geriatric medicine, herbals, and pain management to veterinarians and veterinary technicians. She has authored or co-authored several textbook chapters on rehabilitation and published a number of peer reviewed manuscripts. She consults and sits on several advisory boards related to herbal medicine, laser therapy, pain management and holistic medicine. Dr. Huntingford is the director for Chi Canada which offers Veterinary Acupuncture and Canine Rehabilitation Certificate programs in Essex, Ontario.

Enrollment Options

Semester

2025

Schedule & Tuition

Session 1 includes the CA$100 application fee.

Session 1
Session 2

Location

Location of class

Essex Animal Hospital

355 Talbot St. N.

Essex, ON, CAN, N8M 2W3

Session 3
Session 4

Location

Location of class

Essex Animal Hospital

355 Talbot St. N.

Essex, ON, CAN, N8M 2W3

Session 5

Location

Location of class

Essex Animal Hospital

355 Talbot St. N.

Essex, ON, CAN, N8M 2W3

Payment Information

A CA$300.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.

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

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.