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. Three track options are available: small animal, equine and mixed practice (which includes both small animals and horses). In acupoint labs, students learn acupuncture points on dogs or both dogs and horses depending on the selected track.
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 Mixed Practice 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
- 106 transpositional and 16 classical canine and 144 transpositional and 33 classical equine 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
All Acupuncture Certification Track students receive the following benefits:
- Complimentary canine and/or 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
Program Features
Enjoy the convenience of online learning with 44 hours of hands-on learning in 182 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
182 CE Hours
Curriculum
Session 1
Course Introduction and History of Veterinary Acupuncture
1h
What is Acupuncture?
1h
Veterinary Acupuncture: Scientific Basis
2h
Yin-Yang
1h
Eight Principles
1h
Five Elements
2h
Zang-Fu Physiology
2h
Channels and Meridians
2h
General Rules of Acupuncture
4h
Indications for Veterinary Acupuncture
2h
How to Start your Acupuncture Practice: Cookbook (Small Animal)
1h
How to Start your Acupuncture Practice: Cookbook (Equine)
1h
How to Integrate Acupuncture into Your Practice (Small Animal)
1h
How to Integrate Acupuncture into your Practice (Equine)
1h
Anatomy for Acupuncturists (Small Animal)
1h
Anatomy for Acupuncturists (Equine)
1h
Session 2
Mix Practice Point Lab
12h
Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question and Answer
4h
Five Elements and Zang-Fu Physiology
2h
Five-shu Transporting Points
2h
Other Special Points
1h
TCVM Diagnosis Intro
1h
Demo - How to Treat Canine Diseases
2h
How to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders (Small Animal)
2h
How to Treat Respiratory Disorders (Small Animal)
2h
How to Treat Bi/Wei Syndromes (Small Animal)
1h
Demo - Canine Acupuncture Cases (Small Animal)
2h
Acupuncture Needling Techniques (Equine)
2h
Treating Equine Musculoskeletal Issues
2h
Demo - Equine Lab Case
2h
Session 3
Five Treasures: 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
1h
Dry Lab - How to Make a TCVM Diagnosis (Small Animal)
2h
Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders (Small Animal)
2h
How to Approach Clinical Cases (Small Animal)
1h
How to Improve Acupuncture Results (Small Animal)
2h
Small Animal Cases: TCVM Approach
3h
Equine Acupuncture Techniques
1h
Acupuncture for Equine Lameness
3h
Equine Special Conditions
2h
How to Approach Clinical Cases (Equine)
1h
How to Improve Acupuncture Results (Equine)
1h
Dry Lab - Lameness and Internal Medicine Studies (Equine)
1h
Session 4
Mix Point Lab
12h
Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question and Answer
4h
Review from Sessions 1-3
1h
How to Treat Renal Failure
1h
How to Treat Heart Failure
1h
How to Treat Behavioral Problems
1h
Introduction to Herbal Medicine
2h
Introduction to Food Therapy
1h
Acupuncture for the Liver (Small Animal)
2h
How to Treat Skin Problems (Small Animal)
2h
Acupuncture for Cancer (Small Animal)
2h
Feline Acupuncture
2h
Case Studies from Students (Small Animal)
1h
Avian Acupuncture
2h
Exotic Animal Acupuncture
1h
How to Treat GI Disorders (Equine)
2h
How to Treat Respiratory Problems (Equine)
2h
How to Treat Bi and Wei Syndrome (Equine)
1h
Acupuncture for Sports Medicine (Equine)
1h
Understanding Herbal Medicine (Equine)
1h
How to Start Your Herbal Practice (Equine)
1h
How to Treat Cushing's Disease (Equine)
1h
How to Treat Other Endocrine Disorders (Equine)
1h
How to Treat Liver Problems (Equine)
1h
Acupuncture for Skin Diseases (Equine)
1h
Session 5
Mix Point Lab
8h
Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question and Answer
4h
Review of Sessions 1-4
1h
Acupuncture for Endocrine Disorder
2h
Acupuncture for Immune-Mediated Diseases
2h
Clinical Applications of TCVM (Small Animal)
2h
Introduction to Tui-na (Small Animal)
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
Tui-na Applications (Equine)
1h
Introduction to Food Therapy (Equine)
1h
How to Treat Reproductive Disorders (Equine)
1h
Acupuncture for Bovines, Caprines, and Camelids
1h
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 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 moreLorena LLoret Nadal
DVM, CVA, CVTP, CVFT, CVCH, CVBMA
Dr. LLoret received her DVM from Murcia University in Spain in June 2002. She earned her veterinary acupuncture certification from Chi University-Thailand in 2005. The following year, Dr. LLoret completed the acupuncture internship program at the University of Florida with Dr. Xie. She served as Chief of TCVM Services of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University Alfonso X in Madrid, Spain from 2014-2021. Dr. LLoret is the translator and editor-in-chief of the Spanish edition of TCVM: Fundamental Principles by Dr. Xie. She is currently the director of Chi-Europe, Chi-Spain and Chi-Ireland and serves as a primary instructor for Chi CVA courses throughout Europe. Dr. LLoret TCVM specialty in both small animal and horses , offering clinics in Ireland.
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.
Silvia De Lucchi
DVM, CVA, CVBMA
Dr. Silvia De Lucchi graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Parma University in Italy, in 2006. After graduation, she practiced small animal medicine with a particular focus on internal medicine and surgery. Also interested in physiotherapy, she attended the Certified Program in Canine Physical Rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee in 2012.
Dr. De Lucchi obtained her Acupuncture Certification at Chi Spain in 2013. She continued her education and training in TCVM by undertaking courses in Herbal Medicine, Tui-na, Japanese Acupuncture, and Balance Method Acupuncture.
She established her own practice where she treats small animals, horses, and cattle. She integrates acupuncture, moxibustion, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, and food therapy within her practice.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2025
Schedule & Tuition
Session 1 includes the 100 € application fee
Session 1
Online
Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2025
€1,050.00
Session 2
Online Portion
Mar 1 - May 18, 2025
On-site Portion in Giavera del Montello, Italy
May 17 - 18, 2025
€1,450.00
Session 3
Online
May 19 - Jul 20, 2025
€950.00
Session 4
Online Portion
Jul 21 - Sep 21, 2025
On-site Portion in Giavera del Montello, Italy
Sep 6 - 7, 2025
€1,450.00
Session 5
Online Portion
Sep 22 - Dec 14, 2025
On-site Portion in Giavera del Montello, Italy
Dec 12 - 14, 2025
Includes the CVA Certification
€1,550.00
Payment Information
A €200.00 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.
Discounts
Enroll by Dec 1, 2024
-€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.