Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Track

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

United States
Small Animal
English
UC Davis SVM
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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.

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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, 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

Learn from Dr. Xie, the master of veterinary acupuncture

32 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 session

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

What our students have to say

Carrie Uehlein

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

Rene Gandolfi

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

Amanda Ramage, DVM

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

Jessica Balter

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

Jean Hollenstein, DVM

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 Sessionsat UC Davis SVM

Veterinary Acupuncture Wet Lab

12h

Tutoring/Reviewing Lectures, Real Case Demo and Questions/Answers

4h

Veterinary Acupuncture Wet Lab

12h

Tutoring/Reviewing Lectures, Real Case Demo and Questions/Answers

4h

Review all 157 Points and Techniques

8h

Tutoring and Q&A

4h

Clinical Acupoint Exam

4h

Written Exam

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. Koh earned his veterinary degree in Taiwan and further honed his expertise at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, completing a specialty internship and a Master’s in acupuncture/integrative medicine. Subsequently, he has been teaching at Chi University and served as a clinical assistant professor at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine before his current role as the clinical associate professor and head of Integrative Medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Certified in acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, Chinese food therapy, rehabilitation, and medical manipulation, Dr. Koh is also board certified in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. He also holds the distinguished title of Charter Fellow with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine. Dr. Koh is an internationally recognized speaker and mentor in the areas of rehabilitation, TCVM, and integrative medicine. He also has contributed to academic literature, penning book chapters and peer-reviewed articles on these areas. His clinical focus centers on integrative approaches to various health conditions to optimize clinical outcomes and quality of life, particularly concerning pain management, mobility issues, and chronic disorders.

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. 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.

Enrollment options

This class is limited to 24 students only. The registration on the Chi website only covers online session study. Students must also register for the on-site session at the UC Davis CVM website.

No semesters currently available

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.