TCVM for Veterinary Technicians

Cover key elements to supporting and promoting TCVM services as a technician in an integrative veterinary practice

United States
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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.

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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

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 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

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2024

Schedule & Tuition

TCVM for Vet Techs

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, course, or event.