Program Overview
The Equine Acupuncture program in Thailand is a great opportunity for students living in Asia to pursue their Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) certification.
This program is comprised of online lectures, as well as hands-on wet labs and lectures on-site Muang, Chiang Mai Thailand. The online lectures, labs, tutoring, presentation slides, class handouts and final exam are offered in English.
Major Topics
In this course, you will:
- Understand the fundamental principles of veterinary acupuncture
- Learn how to locate 256 acupuncture points (acupoints) in horses
- Master the use, indications and contraindications of dry needling, aqua-acupuncture, moxibustion, and electro-acupuncture
- Learn to use acupuncture for the treatment of special conditions such as musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and respiratory diseases
Additional Benefits
Once enrolled for the Acupuncture Certification Track at Chi, you will receive:
- Complimentary equine 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
Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Track
Taught in English
For veterinarians & veterinary students only
134 CE Hours
Curriculum
Session 1
Introduction to Whole Program and History of Veterinary Acupuncture
1h
What is Acupuncture
1h
Veterinary Acupuncture: Scientific Basis
2h
Basic TCVM Theories - Yin Yang
1h
Eight Principles and Bian Zheng
1 h
Five Elements
2h
Zang-Fu Physiology
2h
Channels and Meridians
2h
Top 15 Equine Acupoints and Its Clinical Applications
1h
General Rules of Acupuncture
4h
Indications for Veterinary Acupuncture
2h
How to Start your Acupuncture Practice: Cookbook
1h
How to Integrate Acupuncture into your Practice
1h
EQ Anatomy for Acupuncturists
1h
Session 2
Five Elements and Zang Fu physiology
1h
Introduction to TCVM Diagnosis
1h
Five-shu Transporting Points, Source Points, Back-shu and Front-mu Points, Influential Points
2h
Other Special Points and Clinical Application
2h
Acupuncture Needling Techniques for EQ
2h
Treating Equine Musculoskeletal Issues with TCVM
2h
How to Treat Equine Cases
2h
Acupuncture for EQ Lameness
1h
Acupuncture for thoracic limb and hind limb lameness
1h
Acupuncture for cervical issues
1h
Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders
1h
Review Five Elements and Zang-fu Physiology
2h
Review Five-shu Transporting Points, Source Points, Back-shu and Front-mu points, Influential Points
2h
Review Other Special Points and TCVM Diagnosis Intro
2h
How to Practice Acupuncture in Horses Equine and Musculoskeletal Case Studies
2h
Lameness Overview
1h
Acupuncture for Lameness I, II
1h
EQ Acupoint Lab
10h
Acupuncture for Elephant and Exotic intro
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
Equine Acupuncture Techniques
1h
Acupuncture for Equine Lameness
2h
Acupuncture for Neck & Back Pain
1h
Acupuncture for Tendon/ligament, Shoulder, Hip, Stifle and Hock Pain
1h
Equine Special Conditions
2h
How to Approach Clinical Cases
1h
How to Improve Acupuncture Results
1h
Dry-lab Lameness and Internal Medicine Case Studies
1h
Session 4
Bubble Chart Review
1h
A Quick Review from Sessions 1 to 3 EQ Track
1h
How to Treat Urinary and Cardiovascular Disorders in Horse
1h
How to Treat Behavioral Problems
1h
How to Treat GI Disorders
2h
How to Treat Respiratory Problems
2h
How to Treat Bi and Wei Syndrome
1h
Acupuncture for Sports Medicine
1h
How to Understand Herbal Medicine
1h
How to Start Your Herbal Practice
1h
How to Treat Cushing’s Disease
1h
How to Treat Other Endocrine Disorders
1h
How to Treat Liver Problems
1h
Acupuncture for Skin Diseases
1h
Equine Point Lab
8h
Session 5
A Quick Review from Sessions 1 to 4
4h
Acupuncture for Endocrine Disorder
2h
Acupuncture for Immune-mediated Diseases
2h
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
Tui-Na Application in the Horse
1h
Intro to Food Therapy in Horses
1h
TCVM and Equine Reproduction Disorders
1h
Acupuncture for Bovines, Caprines and Camelids
1h
Review Lectures
2h
EQ Acupoint Lab
10h
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 moreCheryl Chrisman
DVM, MSTCVM, CVA, CVCH, CVTP, CVFT
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.
Roger 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.
Directors
Porrakote Rungsri
DVM, MS, Dr. Med Vet, DTBVS, CVA
Dr. Porrakote Rungsri received her D.V.M. from Chiang Mai University in 2003, an M.S. degree Master of Science in Health Sciences, (International course) from the Chiang Mai University in 2006 and Dr. Med. Vet. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, Germany in 2015. She became certified in Diplomat Thai Board of Veterinary Surgery in 2016. Dr. Porrakote is a certified veterinary acupuncturist from Chi University. She is an assistant Professors in the Equine Clinic Department Companion and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. She has been in mixed practice and researched about Equine lameness, Equine Back pain and surgery for 15 years.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2025
Residency Scholarship
Vet Student Scholarship?
Schedule & Tuition
Access to all sessions will end at the conclusion of the final session.
Session 1
Online
15/02/2025 - 30/04/2025
$850.00
Session 2
Online Portion
01/05/2025 - 05/06/2025
On-site Portion in Chiang Mai, Thailand
06/06/2025 - 08/06/2025
$1,430.00
Session 3
Online
09/06/2025 - 31/08/2025
$750.00
Session 4
Online
01/09/2025 - 31/10/2025
$1,430.00
Session 5
Online Portion
01/11/2025 - 21/12/2025
On-site Portion in Chiang Mai, Thailand
19/12/2025 - 21/12/2025
Includes the CVA Certification
$1,520.00
Payment Information
A $200.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 60 days before the start date of each session, course, or event.
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.