The AAVA was formed first and foremost to support the veterinary acupuncturist in the United States. As a national organization, its function can be best summed up by its mission statement, “To improve animal health care by the advancement of veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Veterinary Medicine through education, research, and leadership.”

The IVAS, while initially founded in the United States, is a truly international organization with members from countries around the globe. This provides for a combination of visions and has resulted in the representation of IVAS members by a House of Delegates. This House consists of representatives from national organizations, such as the AAVA, and members at large. It is from this House of Delegates that the IVAS Board of Directors is chosen. Both the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors are involved in the functions of IVAS, thus allowing the local member more involvement as well.

Both the AAVA and IVAS are concerned with the education of veterinary acupuncturists. IVAS teaches veterinarians around the world basic courses in veterinary acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Several participating countries administer these courses. As an IVAS affiliated organization, the AAVA sponsors a series of regional continuing education seminars throughout the year, covering a variety of practical and advanced acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medical topics.

The coordination and cooperation of veterinary acupuncturists in the United States, as the concern of the AAVA and of those throughout the world as provided by IVAS, strengthens the teaching and practice of veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine both at home and abroad.