Overview
The course begins with an overview of fundamental aspects of Chinese Medicine, including Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory, which serve as a foundation for case diagnoses and treatment presented later in the class. A variety of acupuncture techniques are taught, including electro-acupuncture, aqua acupuncture, moxibustion, etc. in addition to conventional "dry" needling. In acupoint labs, students learn acupuncture points on dogs.
The course is presented in 2 online sessions and 3 hybrid sessions. Each hybrid session includes two portions: online & on-site. Online portions are comprised of lectures and case demos that students can stream at their own convenience. On-site portions give students the opportunity to learn acupuncture points on live animals in small acupoint lab groups of four to six students per instructor.
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)
- Acupuncture techniques including electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, moxibustion, and dry needling
- TCVM diagnostic systems, including tongue and pulse diagnosis
- How to integrate acupuncture into your practice
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 with 44 hours of hands-on learning in 138 total hours of hybrid courses
Learn from Dr. Xie, the master of veterinary acupuncture
Start practicing acupuncture on patients after the first on-site session
Join a limited class of 20 students for an intensive & intimate learning experience
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 CE Hours
Curriculum
Session 1
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
Session 2
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
Session 3
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
Session 4
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
Session 5
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
CVA 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.
Textbooks
Instructors
Huisheng Xie
DVM, PhD
Dr. Xie has 42 years of clinical, teaching, and research experience in veterinary acupuncture and TCVM. He has trained over 11,000 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 moreMaya Barak
DVM, CVA, CVFT
Dr. Maya Barak received her DVM from Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland in March 2013. She earned her veterinary acupuncture certification for small animals and horses from Chi University-Florida USA in 2015. Dr. Barak is currently working towards her certification in TCVM Food Therapy (CVFT) from Chi University.
Dr. Barak offers integrative clinical service for small animals in her clinic and also in shelter medicine. She integrates Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, nutrition, Network Chiropractic care and Ozone therapy into her practice.
Yael Avidan-Bali
CVA, CVFT, CVCH, CCRT
Dr. Yael Avidan-Bali graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Veterinary School in 1992. Followed by a small animal ophthalmology internship at The Specialty Veterinary Hospital in Mexico City. She earned her certification in human acupuncture from Neijing School of Oriental Techniques in Cancun, Mexico in 2005. Later she earned her certification in veterinary acupuncture and food therapy from Chi University in 2010 as well as earning her certification in veterinary rehabilitation therapy (CCRT) from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute the same year. In 2015 she got certified by Institute Lineo in Madrid, Spain on Ozone therapy and in 2018 she earned her certification on herbal medicine from the Chi Institute. Dr. Bali moved with her husband and two children to Israel in 2011. Since then, she has had her own small animal, holistic veterinary medicine practice. She integrates Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, nutrition, rehabilitation and Ozone therapy into her practice.
Directors
Maya Barak
DVM, CVA, CVFT
Dr. Maya Barak received her DVM from Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland in March 2013. She earned her veterinary acupuncture certification for small animals and horses from Chi University-Florida USA in 2015. Dr. Barak is currently working towards her certification in TCVM Food Therapy (CVFT) from Chi University.
Dr. Barak offers integrative clinical service for small animals in her clinic and also in shelter medicine. She integrates Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, nutrition, Network Chiropractic care and Ozone therapy into her practice.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2026
Schedule & Tuition
Access to all sessions will end at the conclusion of the final session.
Session 1
Online
Jan 1 - Oct 20, 2026
$1,170.00
Session 2
Online Portion
Mar 1 - Oct 20, 2026
On-site Portion in Israel
Mar 23 - 25, 2026
$1,750.00
Session 3
Online
May 1 - Oct 20, 2026
$1,070.00
Session 4
Online Portion
Jun 16 - Oct 20, 2026
On-site Portion in Israel
Jul 6 - 7, 2026
$1,750.00
Session 5
Online Portion
Sep 1 - Oct 20, 2026
On-site Portion in Israel
Oct 19 - 20, 2026
Includes the CVA Certification
$1,840.00
Payment Information
A $250.00 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.
Add-ons
Required Textbooks
$340.00
Discounts
Enroll by Dec 15, 2025
-$500.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take acupuncture classes in a prescribed order or can I start at any time?
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.