Course Overview
TCVM for Veterinary Technicians is a course designed to teach veterinary technicians to support and promote TCVM services in your practice. Through the course, technicians are given the tools to speak knowledgeably about the purpose and value of TCVM and to teach clients how to care for their animals with food therapy and Tui-na techniques. A typical TCVM visit can last 1 to 1.5 hours, so a properly trained TCVM vet tech can greatly increase the efficiency of your practice.
Tailored for veterinary technicians working in clinics and hospitals where TCVM is practiced, this course concentrates on TCVM theoretical principles as well as practical techniques to allow vet techs to best assist TCVM veterinarians.
The course can be taken in two formats: all online or hybrid (a combination of online and on-site coursework). A reference letter from a licensed veterinarian is required to enroll in this course.
Please note that no information about TCVM diagnosis or locations of acupuncture points will be covered in this course.
Course Goals
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Understand TCVM fundamental principles (Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Zang-Fu, etc.), the scientific basis for TCVM, and the indications and contraindications of each TCVM modality, thus allowing them to effectively promote TCVM services.
- Learn basic TCVM technician procedures (moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, Tui-na, food therapy, and life-style consultations). Graduates will be able to perform basic TCVM procedures and engage in discussions on TCVM, allowing them to save their veterinarian time and increase the efficiency of their practice.
Overall, graduates of this course will have the tools to promote and support services at a TCVM clinic.
Course Features
13 hours of online lectures available for 24/7 on-demand streaming for 2 months
On-site wet labs and demos with live animals (dogs and horses)
Life-style portion of the on-site course includes Qi-gong, Tai-ji, yoga, and other meditative exercises
Complimentary lunches on-site (with vegetarian options)
Class size capped at 30 students to allow for a more intimate learning environment
TCVM for Veterinary Technicians
Taught in English
For veterinarian technicians only
27 RACE-approved CE hours
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Student must:
- Be a credentialled veterinary technician or non-credentialled veterinary assistant
- Have a letter of recommendation from a TCVM veterinarian. The letter of recommendation should briefly detail your relationship to the veterinarian writing it, why you would be a good candidate for the class, and how it would benefit you and your clinic. There is no length requirement, but one half to one full page is suggested.
Curriculum
TCVM for Vet Techs
TCVM Overview
3h
Yin-Yang
1h
Eight Principles and Bian Zheng
1h
Five Elements
2h
Veterinary Acupuncture: Scientific Basis
2h
Zang-Fu Physiology
2h
Energy Pathway: A Meridian System
2h
Introduction to Dr. Han-ping's Tui-na Techniques
3h
Food Therapy for Pets
2h
10 Acupuncture Techniques and Procedures: Indications and Contraindications
2h
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine and How to Administer to Pets
2h
Lab Demo: Horse Tui-na
1h
Lab Demo: Small Animal Tui-na
2h
Lab Demo: Qi-gong &Tai-ji
2h
Lab Demo: Vet Tech Acupuncture Protocols
2h
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 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.
Terri Rosado
DVM, CVA, CTCVMP, CCRT, CVMMP
Dr. Terri Rosado holds certifications in all Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine branches. As an Assistant Professor at Chi University and the medical director of Chi Animal Hospital, Dr. Rosado is passionate about education, offering externships to Chi and veterinary school students, and inviting volunteers to experience small animal veterinary practice.
Stacie Atria
DVM, CVA, CVMMP, CVTP
Dr. Atria earned her Bachelor's degree in music and biology from the University of Miami and her DVM from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Dr. Atria completed the Mixed Animal Acupuncture course at Chi in December 2006 and was granted certification from Chi and China's National Society of TCVM. She has completed both the Equine and Small Animal Advanced TCVM courses, as well as the Food Therapy course and all five TCVM Veterinary Herbal modules at Chi. Dr. Atria recently completed a one-year clinical internship in acupuncture at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Xie. At UF, Dr. Atria did clinical research investigating the use of acupuncture and herbal therapies for the treatment of anhydrosis and recurrent airway obstructive diseases in horses.
Suzanne Brannan
DVM, CVA
Dr. Brannan graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. In 2004, she became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, completing the Small Animal Acupuncture course at Chi. Dr. Brannan is currently continuing her education in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, and Tui-na at Chi. She divides her time amongst three practices in Gainesville, Micanopy and Ocala, and keeping up with her daughter.
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.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2025
Schedule & Tuition
TCVM for Vet Techs
Option 1
Online Portion
Apr 1 - Jun 15, 2025
On-site Portion in Reddick, FL
May 1 - 2, 2025
$775.00
Option 2
Online
Jun 3 - Sep 3, 2025
$775.00
Payment Information
A $100.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 30 days before the start date of each session or course.