Holistic Pet Care Credentials

Curious as to what kind of qualifications one might need before they prick your pet with an acupuncture needle?

According to the laws in most states, only a D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree is required in order to practice acupuncture on animals because acupuncture is listed as a modality of veterinary medicine.

However, even though most states do not require any extra certifications, there are still professional codes of conduct that veterinarians must adhere to. For example, in the state of Idaho, the law says that if a vet practices this form of alternative medicine without the appropriate training and the Board receives a consumer complaint, they would have potential grounds for disciplinary action.

So, what exactly does proper training entail? A lot!

In order to list those all-important credentials, C.V.A. (Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture) behind the name, a vet must undergo rigorous schooling from an official organization like the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) or the Chi Institute.

Often, training consists of 120 hours of continuing education courses in acupuncture, successful completion of a difficult exam and a detailed case report. Finally, the last step before attaining those important C.V.A. letters involves 40 additional hours of an internship.