IVAS Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture

Course overview

The Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture taught by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) has been setting the global standard in veterinary acupuncture since 1974. The curriculum of the course integrates a background of the fundamentals and application of the scientific basis for acupuncture, as well as a background in the fundamentals and applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. The educational program provides acupuncture study and clinical applications for small animal, large animal, avian, and exotic species. The program prepares the participant for integration of acupuncture into clinical practice. The curriculum of the course is not limited to the study of TCM theory. The curriculum incorporates current scientific acupuncture theory and biomedical science in its application and approach to patient assessment and treatment. A variety of methods of patient examination and treatment are taught and demonstrated. Students are reminded to always perform a Western medical examination first and obtain all necessary diagnostics prior to integrating acupuncture. The IVAS certification process requires successful completion of all online content, 3 sessions of hands-on labs; attendance of the Mentored Internship; passage of the written exam and either one or two practical examinations depending on their area of focus; submission of a logbook documenting 10 cases and a peer-reviewed written case report. Graduates of the IVAS Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture will be certified in either Small Animal, Equine, or both.