Program Overview
The course begins with an overview of fundamental aspects of Chinese Medicine, including Yin-yang and Five Element theory. These theories serve as a foundation for case diagnosis and treatment presented later in the class. A variety of acupuncture techniques are taught in addition to conventional "dry needling," including electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, and moxibustion. In acupoint labs, students learn acupuncture points on dogs. Class is limited to 24 students for an intensive and intimate learning experience.
The course consists of an online session and an on-site session. The online session contains 5 modules with lectures and case demos that students can stream at their convenience. The on-site session contains 3 modules hosted at UC-Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. These in-person modules provide students with the opportunity to learn acupuncture points on live animals in small lab groups with a maximum of six students per instructor. Tutoring sessions totaling 12 hours thoroughly prepare students for exams.
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
Additional Benefits
Enrollment in the Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist class includes:
- 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
Learn from Dr. Xie, the master of veterinary acupuncture
30 hours of intensive hands on learning with live animals in small lab groups capped at 6 students for every instructor
Start practicing acupuncture on patients after the first on-site module
Earn up to 25% of future master's degree credit per experiential learning
What our students have to say
After finishing the course, I feel confident to practice acupuncture and not worried I’m going to do it wrong. The training was great.
Carrie Uehlein, DVM
Huntersville, NC
I am very happy that I chose to study at Chi. The integration of acupuncture and the rest of the modalities of TCVM combined with the knowledgeable and helpful teaching staff have made this a lifetime event for me.
Rene Gandolfi, DVM
Castro Valley, CA
This class was amazing! I love the small lab groups and the information is presented wonderfully. I now see how TCVM courses can become addicting!
Amanda Ramage, DVM
Westmont, IL
Dr. Xie's lectures are outstanding. Very engaging speaker. The information is presented clearly and he guides you through the material in a way that you can easily understand.
Jessica Balter, DVM
Seaford, NY
It is always nice to see an actual patient and assess tongue and pulse, then work through the diagnosis and treatment plan. I am continually amazed at all of the work and goodwill that gets poured into these classes.
Jean Hollenstein, DVM
Glenwood, MN
Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Track
Taught in English
For veterinarians & veterinary students only
94 CE hours
No semesters currently available
On-site Session at UC Davis SVM
On-site Module 1
Veterinary Acupuncture Wet Lab
Reviewing Lectures and Questions/Answers
On-site Module 2
Veterinary Acupuncture Wet Lab
Reviewing Lectures and Questions/Answers
On-site Module 3
Review all 157 Points and Techniques
Clinical Acupoint Exam
Written Exam online
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 written exam proctored online after the final session with a score over 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
BS-vet med, MS-vet acupuncture, PhD Professor and founder of Chi University
Dr. Xie has 43 years of clinical, teaching, and research experience in veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). He has been invited to deliver lectures for more than 200 veterinary organizations and universities in over 30 countries, including WSAVA, AVMA, the Western Veterinary Conference, VMX/NAVC, and AAEP. He has trained over 12,000 veterinarians to practice TCVM worldwide. Dr. Xie is also the author of over 140 peer-reviewed papers, and 35 textbooks including Xie’s Veterinary Herbology and Xie’s Veterinary Acupuncture, which have been used for TCVM training courses around the world. He built the longest standing Veterinary Medical School’s acupuncture service in the US in 1999 and acupuncture internship program in 2003 and served as a clinical professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine until 2021. He is also an honorary professor at China Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and Southwest University. Dr. Xie continues to teach and develop educational courses and programs at Chi University.
Read moreRoger Clemmons
DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology and Neurosurgery), CVA, CVFT
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.
Greg Todd
DVM, CVA
Dr. Todd graduated from the University of Florida with a DVM in 1988. In 1993, Dr. Todd became an apprentice to Dr. Patrick Sullivan, AP, and began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1996, he became certified by IVAS. His studies continued at Chi. He has lectured and instructed nationally and internationally for IVAS, the North American Veterinary Conference, and Chi. Dr. Todd practices integrative veterinary medicine at the Animal Hospital of Dunedin in the Tampa Bay Area.
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.