Program Overview
The Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) Program is presented in 3 online and 2 on-site sessions.
During the online portions, you’ll study the theories and frameworks that guide acupuncture diagnosis and treatment, followed by recorded demonstrations that show their practical application with live patients.
During the on-site portions at our main campus, you will participate in in-person lectures focused on the treatment of specific conditions, building upon the foundational concepts introduced in the online coursework. Following an included catered lunch, you will transition into small-group lab sessions where you will locate and discuss acupuncture points on live animals under the guidance of instructors certified in acupuncture.
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
- 129 transpositional and 28 classical canine acupuncture points (hands-on, wet-lab demos)
- 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
Additional Benefits
Once enrolled for the Acupuncture Certification Track at Chi, you will receive:
- Complimentary canine acupoint chart
- Complimentary 30-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
Learn from Dr. Xie, the master of veterinary acupuncture
Experience the flexibility of 20 hours of virtual labs alongside 40 hours of in-person wet labs that provide immersive, hands-on training.
Gain the confidence to start practicing acupuncture with patients after completing your first on-site session.
Earn up to 25% of future master's degree credit per experiential learning
Wet lab groups are limited to six students per instructor, allowing for personalized instruction, close supervision, and meaningful hands-on learning.
What our students have to say
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
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
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
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
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
122 RACE-approved CE hours
Curriculum
Session 1
Introduction to the 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
1h
Five Elements
2h
Zang-Fu Physiology
2h
Channels and Meridians
2h
Top 10 Canine Acupoints and Clinical Applications
1h
General Rules of Acupuncture
4h
Indications for Veterinary Acupuncture
2h
How to Start Your Acupuncture Practice: Cookbook
1h
Where Do I Start the Acupuncture Practice
1h
Anatomy for Acupuncturists
1h
Session 2
Five Elements and Zang-fu Physiology
1h
TCVM Diagnosis Intro
1h
Five-Shu Transporting Points, Source Points, Back-Shu & Front-Mu points, Influential Points
2h
Other Special Points and Clinical Application
2h
How to Treat Bi/Wei Syndromes, Osteoarthritis and IVDD
2h
How to Treat Gastro-Intestinal Disorders
2h
How to Treat Respiratory Disorders
2h
Canine Point Labs
16h
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
How to Make a TCVM Diagnosis (Dry Lab)
2h
Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders
2h
How to Approach Clinical Cases
2h
How to Improve Acupuncture Result
2h
Avian Acupuncture
1h
Exotic Animal Acupuncture
1h
Session 4
Bubble Chart Review
1h
A Quick Review from Session 1 to 3 SA Track
1h
How to Treat Chronic Kidney Disease with TCVM I
1h
How to Treat CKD & UTI with TCVM II
1h
How to Treat Heart Failure
1h
How to Treat Behavioral Problems
1h
Herbal Introduction
2h
Acupuncture for the Liver
2h
How to Treat Skin Problems
2h
Acupuncture for Cancer
1h
Feline Acupuncture
2h
Case Studies from Students
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
Case Demos: Needling Techniques
2h
Case Demos: Electro-acupuncture
1h
Case Demos: Aqua-acupuncture, Pneumo-acupuncture and Other Techniques
1h
Case Demos: Moxibustion
1h
How to Approach a TCVM Canine Case Started Using TCVM
1h
Virtual Clarification of Acupoints and Acupuncture Techniques
3h
Canine Point Labs
8h
Session 5
CVA course-Review
3h
How to Treat Thyroid Disorders
1h
How to Treat Diabetes
1h
How to Treat Cushing’s Disease
1h
How to Make TCVM Profitable
1h
Intro to Food Therapy
1h
Intro to Tui-na
1h
Canine Point Labs
12h
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 70%
Pass the written exam proctored online after the final session with a score over 70%
Pass the clinical acupoint exam in the final on-site session with a score above 70%
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
BS-vet med, MS-vet acupuncture, PhD Professor and founder of Chi University
Dr. Xie has 43 years of clinical, teaching, and research experience in veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). He has been invited to deliver lectures for more than 200 veterinary organizations and universities in over 30 countries, including WSAVA, AVMA, the Western Veterinary Conference, VMX/NAVC, and AAEP. He has trained over 12,000 veterinarians to practice TCVM worldwide. Dr. Xie is also the author of over 140 peer-reviewed papers, and 35 textbooks including Xie’s Veterinary Herbology and Xie’s Veterinary Acupuncture, which have been used for TCVM training courses around the world. He built the longest standing Veterinary Medical School’s acupuncture service in the US in 1999 and acupuncture internship program in 2003 and served as a clinical professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine until 2021. He is also an honorary professor at China Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and Southwest University. Dr. Xie continues to teach and develop educational courses and programs at Chi University.
Read moreGreg Todd
DVM, CVA
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.
Terri Rosado
DVM, MS-TCVM, Associate Professor and Medical Director
Dr. Terri Rosado holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and is certified in canine rehabilitation and medical manipulation. As an Associate 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 integrative small animal practice.
Ronald B. Koh
DVM, MS, DACVSMR, CVA, CCRV, CCRP, CVMMP, CVCH, CVFT, CVPP, CVTP, CHPV
Dr. Ronald Koh, originally from Malaysia, earned his veterinary degree in Taiwan and has been practicing in the United States since 2009. He is a board-certified specialist in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation with advanced expertise in pain management, acupuncture, manual therapy, TCVM, and integrative medicine.
Dr. Koh is the founder of the canine rehabilitation veterinary certification (CCRV) program at Chi University and serves as a professor there. He previously held faculty positions as clinical assistant professor at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and later as clinical associate professor of Integrative Medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
He holds multiple certifications in acupuncture (CVA), rehabilitation (CCRP, CCRV), pain management (CVPP), medical manipulation (CVMMP), herbal therapy (CVCH), food therapy (CVFT), Tui-na (CVTP), and hospice and palliative care (CHPV), and integrative veterinary cancer care (IVCCP-pending). His professional passions include managing chronic diseases, chronic pain, mobility dysfunction, cancer, and advancing the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound, with the ultimate goal of restoring mobility and enhancing quality of life for animals through a multimodal, holistic approach.
A sought-after national and international speaker, Dr. Koh regularly presents at conferences and teaches workshops not only across North America but also throughout Asia and European countries. He has authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed publications on topics including acupuncture, TCVM, rehabilitation, pain management, laser therapy, and integrative medicine.
Outside of his professional life, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring diverse cultures. Fun fact: Dr. Koh speaks five languages—English, Mandarin, Hakka, Cantonese, and Malay.
Enrollment Options
Semester
Fall 2026
Schedule & Tuition
Access to all sessions will end at the conclusion of the final session.
Session 1
Online
Jun 1 - Aug 5, 2026
$1,170.00
Session 2
On-site in Reddick, FL
Aug 6 - 9, 2026
$1,750.00
Thursday, August 6, 2026 | |
7:45 AM | Check-in begins |
Sunday, August 9, 2026 | |
1:00 PM | Class Ends |
Session 3
Online
Aug 10 - Sep 30, 2026
$1,070.00
Session 4
Online
Sep 1 - Dec 9, 2026
$1,750.00
Session 5
On-site in Reddick, FL
Dec 10 - 12, 2026
Online Written Exam
The 4-hour written exam will be proctored online (to be taken remotely/from home) a few days after Session 5 ends. More details to follow.
Includes the CVA Certification
$1,840.00
Thursday, December 10, 2026 | |
7:45 AM | Check-in begins |
Saturday, December 12, 2026 | |
5:30 PM | Class ends |
Optional Acupuncture Review
On-site in Reddick, FL
Sep 28 - 29, 2026
$900.00
Day 1 | |
8:30AM- Start Point Lab review | |
6:30PM- Point Lab Review End | |
Day 2 | |
8:30AM- Start Point Lab review | |
01:00PM- Point Lab Review End | |
Payment Information
A $250.00 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.
Add-ons
Printed Binders
$50.00 / on-site
Required Textbooks
$340.00
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.