"I really loved the (Acupuncture) instructors and how they approached the course."
—Shyvonne Mathias, DVM, Los Angeles, California

"Excellent course."
—Julie Letosky, DVM, CCRP, Avon, Ohio

"Dr. Wright was one of several instructors when I became certified in acupuncture, and she stood out with her innovative and straightforward teaching methods, all of which has contributed to my successful acupuncture practice. Since then I have had the opportunity to teach side-by-side with Bonnie at a variety of venues and on a broad range of pain topics, and have found it an absolute delight to work with her. No one should miss the opportunity to hear what she has to say."
—Michael Petty, DVM, CVPP, CVMA, CCRT, Canton, Michigan
Certification Programs - Acupuncture Program
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Upcoming Dates

» November 17-19, 2023
Canine and Feline Medical Acupuncture (Module 3), Littleton, Colorado. SOLD OUT. Please read our waiting list policy and contact us to be added to our waiting list. A deposit is required.

» May 20-23, 2024
Introduction to Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (Module 1), Springfield, Missouri, $2,970. Registration Opening Soon.

» August 19-22, 2024
Veterinary Medical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Patients (Module 2), Springfield, Missouri, $2,970. Registration Opening Soon.

» October 7-10, 2024
Canine and Feline Medical Acupuncture (Module 3), Springfield, Missouri, $2,970. Registration Opening Soon.

» Future Class
Introduction to Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (Module 1), Springfield, Missouri, $2,970. Registration Opening Soon.

» Future Class
Veterinary Medical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Patients (Module 2), Springfield, Missouri, $2,970. Registration Opening Soon.

» Future Class
Canine and Feline Medical Acupuncture (Module 3), Springfield, Missouri, $2,970. Registration Opening Soon.

CRI is pleased to offer its highly acclaimed Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist program.

"This course is one of the top courses I have ever attended. I have walked away a much better practitioner than when I started. I have been using Acupuncture in my practice since starting this course two years ago. The instructors were all fantastic and I learned different techniques/ways of approaching cases from each of them. The smaller groups ensured that I participated in order to retain the knowledge being presented. If any colleague is interested in Acupuncture, they will be referred to your group hands down." –Amy Pittman, DVM, CCRT, CVAT, Vancouver, Washington

Acupuncture Module 1 Acupuncture Module 2 Acupuncture Module 3

Lhasa OMS logoCRI thanks Lhasa OMS for its support of this program.

 

AAVA logo
AVA logo

CRI's Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist Program, as recognized by the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, provides certification training using a neuro-physiological ("Western") approach to acupuncture. Read more below.

Our Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist Program also has been accredited by the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. Read more below.

 

Watch our video overview to learn more about this program.

The Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist program provides comprehensive acupuncture training for licensed veterinarians. The certification program consists of two required modules and one elective.

Required Modules
The two required modules will teach the anatomic characteristics of the major acupuncture points in dogs and cats and the physiological mechanisms underpinning each, and will teach techniques that are commonly applied in pain medicine, physical rehabilitation and sports medicine.

Required modules are:

Elective Modules
Elective courses will be offered to add skill sets to the practice:

  • Canine and Feline Medical Acupuncture (Module 3, Elective): additional applications of acupuncture in dogs and cats (GI, immune modulation, cardiac, renal, adrenal, hepatic, anxiety, etc.)
  • Medical Acupuncture for Small Mammals, Avian and Exotic Patients (Module 4, Elective): application in exotic species: small and zooological (co-taught with Beth Bicknese)

All modules are taught entirely from a neurophysiological, scientific basis with generous input from the scientific literature. Individuals wishing to pursue certification in acupuncture will be required to complete at least 120 hours of the available content.

There will be no internship or case studies required. All testing will be done in class.

CVAT Curriculum Covers:

  • Neuro-physiologically based acupuncture
  • Anatomic characteristics of the major acupuncture points in dogs and cats
  • Point finding on live dogs
  • Needling and electrical stimulation in acupuncture practice
  • Acupuncture techniques commonly applied in pain medicine, physical rehabilitation, and sports medicine
  • Applications of acupuncture in GI, immune modulation, cardiac, renal, adrenal, hepatic, and anxiety in dogs and cats (elective)
  • Applications of acupuncture in exotic species (elective)

Upcoming Modules:

Notes: Our Acupuncture certification modules will remain in Littleton, Colorado in 2023, then move to Springfield, Missouri in 2024. Our 2024 modules will consist of 4 in-person days with 32 CE hours per module. Dates are subject to change.

What is the cost of the CVAT program?
Beginning January 1, 2024, the total fee for modules in the CVAT program will be:

Introduction to Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (Module 1)   $2,970
Veterinary Medical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Patients (Module 2)   2,970
Canine and Feline Medical Acupuncture (Module 3, Elective) or
Medical Acupuncture for Small Mammals, Avian and Exotic Patients (Module 4, Elective)		   2,970
Total Fee   $8,910

Already Certified in Acupuncture?
We have developed an accelerated version of the program for veterinarians who have already been certified in acupuncture and wish to continue their hands-on training and increase their knowledge of neurophysiology-based acupuncture. In the accelerated program, students watch the online videos for two of the three modules, and then attend one live module (either Module 2 or 3) for additional hands-on training. For the live module, we strongly recommend students attend Veterinary Medical Acupuncture for Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Patients (Module 2). Students must watch the videos from Introduction to Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (Module 1) before taking the in-person module. Please contact us at [email protected] if you are already certified in acupuncture and are interested in this accelerated program.

AAVA Recognition and AVA Accreditation
AAVA logoOur Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist Program, as recognized by the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, provides certification training using a neuro-physiological ("Western") approach to acupuncture. The AAVA is the U.S. affiliate of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, and strives to be the "face" of veterinary acupuncture in the U.S. AAVA holds a seat on the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD), giving them a governance voice in the greater picture of veterinary medicine.

Graduates of the CRI program become Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapists (CVAT). Those enrolled in our program can sign up at AAVA.org as active members. Upon successful completion of the CVAT program, they can notify AAVA, and their status will be changed to credentialed members of AAVA. Only credentialed members can hold a position on the AAVA board.

AAVA member benefits include:

  • Discounted registration to annual meeting and semiannual regional meetings
  • Free webinars
  • Free subscription to American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AJTCVM)
  • Access to online referral listing
  • Opportunity to pursue the FAAVA status

AVA logoOur Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist Program also has been accredited by the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. After reviewing our course faculty, curriculum, and the syllabus for each module, the AVA is excited that we will be offering this program in England.