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 Small Animal 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
- 129 transpositional and 28 classical canine 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 138 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
138 CE Hours
Curriculum
Session 1
Introduction to the program and History 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
1h
Where Do I Start the Acupuncture Practice
1h
SA Anatomy for Acupuncturists
1h
Session 2
Five Elements and Zang Fu physiology
1h
TCVM Diagnosis Intro
1h
Five-Shu Transporting Points
2h
Other Special Points and Clinical Applications
2h
How to Treat Canine Diseases-Demo
2h
How to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders
2h
How to Treat Respiratory Disorders
2h
How to Treat Bi/Wei Syndromes, Osteoarthritis and IVDD
2h
Canine Acupuncture Cases-Demo
2h
Canine Point Lab
12h
Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question & Answer
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
How to Make a TCVM Diagnosis (Dry Lab)
2h
Acupuncture for Neurological Disorders
2h
How to Approach Clinical Cases
2h
How to Improve Acupuncture Results
2h
Session 4
Bubble Chart Review
1h
A Quick Review from Sessions 1 to 3
1h
How to Treat Renal Failure
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
2h
Feline Acupuncture
2h
Case Studies from Students
1h
Avian Acupuncture
1h
Exotic Animal Acupuncture
1h
Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question & Answer
4h
Canine Point Lab
12h
Session 5
A Quick Review from Sessions 1 to 4
1h
Acupuncture for Endocrine Disorder
2h
Acupuncture for Immune-mediated Diseases
2h
Clinical Applications of TCVM
2h
Food Therapy Intro
1h
Introduction to Tui-na
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
Canine Point Lab
8h
Tutoring, Real Case Demo, and Question and Answer
4h
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.
Imke Tratsis
DVM,CVA,CVBMA and Zusatzbezeichnung Akupunktur
Imke Tratsis studied veterinary medicine at the University of Leipzig in Germany and the Vetsuisse University of Bern in Switzerland. She graduated in 2009 and then worked in large animal and mixed practices. In 2013 she earned her degree in veterinary chiropractic. She started learning TCVM at Chi Spain in 2015. She became a certified acupuncturist in 2017. Since 2015 she has been working in her own practice with an emphasis in TCVM and chiropractic medicine in the south of Germany. She treats mainly horses, dogs, and some cattle.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2025
Vet Student?
Schedule & Tuition
Session 1 includes the 100 € application fee
Session 1
Online
Mar 1 - Apr 18, 2025
€1,000.00
Session 2
Online Portion
Apr 19 - May 19, 2025
On-site Portion in Zwiefalten, Germany
May 10 - 11, 2025
€1,400.00
Session 3
Online
May 20 - Jul 9, 2025
€900.00
Session 4
Online Portion
Jul 10 - Aug 14, 2025
On-site Portion in Zwiefalten, Germany
Jul 12 - 13, 2025
€1,400.00
Session 5
Online Portion
Aug 15 - Oct 12, 2025
On-site Portion in Zwiefalten, Germany
Oct 10 - 12, 2025
Includes the CVA Certification
€1,500.00
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.
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.