American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture

Dr. Carolina Ortiz received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George’s University in 2005. The Chi Institute and China’s National Society of TCVM granted her certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbology and Tui Na in 2005-2006. Also in 2005-2006, she completed a 14-month clinical internship in TCVM at the University of Florida under the supervision of Dr. Huisheng Xie. In addition, she is a co-editor in chief for the American Journal of TCVM. Currently, she works as a clinical assistant professor and service chief of the acupuncture service at the University of Florida.

iatrogenic - (i-at’ro-jen’ik)
[ G. iatros, physician + G. suffix, gen, producing ]. Resulting from, or in the course of, professional activities of a physician or surgeon; often used to imply autosuggestion resulting from physician’s discussion, examination, or suggestions.

This list was started as a service to the general public to list reports of newer drugs that have been reported to cause side effects that might not be well known by your general practice veterinarian. I have decided to begin adding uncommon as well as more common problems that have been associated with any medication, complementary therapy, and nutritional supplements that seem to be seen recently. Some of this information will be third party reports through e-mail lists, so accuracy is obviously dependent on the original source.

• Aristolochic Acid - FDA Releases Consumer Advisory Warning About Aristolochic Acid (6-23-2001)
• Clomicalm a drug being used by veterinarians for separation anxiety in dogs. 
  • Ivermectin and Clomicalm given together may cause adverse neurologic effects (i.e. ataxia and tremors). 
    • Ivermectin which is in Heartgard heart worm preventative and is sometimes used to treat “mange” and  ear mites, causes increases in monamine neurotransmitter metabolites which could result in important adverse drug reactions with amitraz (Mitaban topical mange treatment), heterocyclic antidepressants, and benzodiazepines. 
      • Apparent source is a lecture given by Danny Scott, DVM (a dermatologist at Cornell University).
• CCNU Also known as Lomustine, is used as a therapy for various cancers including relapsed lymphoma, hystiocytic sarcoma, and mast cell tumor. 
  • The drug is very variable in its bone marrow toxicity and interval to demonstrate toxicity. Lomustine is also very hepatotoxic.
    • Source is lecture on Chemotherapy and Rationally Targeted Therapies, Mona Rosenberg, DVM, ACVIM, Oncology, Round Robin Seminar, “What’s New In Veterinary Medicine”, Oct. 20, 2004, Long Beach Memborial Medical Center-Van Dyke Theater.
• EtoGesic a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication being
  used by veterinarians to treat arthritic pain and inflammation. 
  • has been associated with the occurrence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (”dry
    eye” or ineffective production of tears). No dose relationship is known
    at this time. 
    • Source: Chambers, Elizabeth, B.S., D.V.M., M.S., Slatter, Douglas, B.V.Sc, M.S., Ph.D. Drug Toxicity - Etogesic. Animal Eye Care Today, Vol. 12, No. 1, Pg. 3, Spring 2002.
• flouroquinilones eg. Baytril and Orbax . Antibiotics used for susceptible bacterial infections. 
  • can trigger seizures in rare cases in human and animal patients, especially in those predisposed to seizures, if given high dosages, and with concurrent administrations of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or theophyllin. 
    • The association of the concurrent administration of  NSAIDs and flouroquinilones precipitating neurological problems including seizures is noted in human patients and not yet reported in veterinary patients. 
      • Source is e-mail to a list member of a veterinary list from an official of Bayer Animal Health in Canada.
• Baytril has been increasingly linked to cases of blindness in feline patients. Bayer Animal Health (the developer of Baytril) estimates that the incidence of vision related reports over the past decade in the U.S. is 1 report per 122,414 feline patients treated. No cases have been reported in cats given the lowest dosage. The most severe cases have been observed in cats at 2.5 times the highest recommended dose within 1 week. A study to assess the specific potential effects of Baytril on eyes is currently underway (as of July 6, 2000). 
  • Source is a direct mailing to veterinarians from the Director of Veterinary
    Services, Bayer Corp.
• Kava or kava kava (Piper methysticum) is an herb which may
  be contained in dietary supplements for relaxation, insomnia, and premenstrual
  syndrome. On Dec. 19, 2001, the FDA distributed an alert to physicians
  to report any potential liver disease linked to the use of kava containing
  supplements. Letter
  to Health Care Professionals about FDA Seeking Information on Liver Injury
  and Kava Products. On November 9, 2002, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report describing the investigation of cases and the FDA released a public information bulletin on March 25, 2002.
• Ketamine is used as a pre-anesthetic or part of a general anesthetic
  regime in most veterinary practices. As with any anesthetic, one can have
  life threatening side effects. However, a recent topic of discussion has
  been an association of Horner’s syndrome after the use of ketamine. Horner’s
  syndrome results from an abnormal function of a nerve called the Oculomotor
  Nerve. Most often the only thing the owner notices is unequal pupils or
  possibly smaller eye opening on the affected side. A review of the FDA
  Adverse Drug Experience Reports for 1998 reveals that 2% of adverse reports
  about ketamine involved this syndrome (1 report out of 57 total reports).
  If the condition resolves, it is usually within a few weeks to a couple
  months. However, several other causes of the problem are possible. There
  are tests that can attempt to isolate the location of the problem. You
  can go to the site of Michael
  Zigler DVM, Cert.V.Ophthal. to find out more about Horner’s Syndrome.
• Pimobendan Used in refractory cases of heart failure cases, usually in addition to diurectics, ACE inhibitors, and other drugs. 
  • Adverse reactions include lack of appetite, vomiting, and hypotension.
    • However, studies suggest significant improvement in symptoms and survival in Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy when other, more common therapies fail.
      • Source is lecture on New Therapies for CHF, Michael Lesser, DVM, DACVIM, Cardiology, SCVMA, Round Robin Seminar, “What’s New In Veterinary Medicine”, Oct. 20, 2004, Long Beach Memborial Medical Center-Van Dyke Theater.
• Propulsid Also known as cisapride,
  is used commonly for megacolon (a disorder mimicking constipation) in cats,
  chronic vomiting due to delayed gastric emptying, and other gastric motility
  disorders. 
  • Recent report of cisapride causing arrhythmias (irregular heart beats)
    in people and sometimes resulting in fatalities. See 1/25/00 article
    from the Associated Press in the Ventura County Star . This may be
    of concern in its use in cats since megacolon occurs in middle aged and
    older male cats more than any other. And middle aged male cats are more commonly affected by a heart problem called cardiomyopathy.
• Topical medications 
  • Ophthalmic ointments 
    • BNP, bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin, or triple antibiotic ophthalmic ointment is used commonly for susceptible infections of the eyes. The ointment may also be used by some veterinarians as an agent to lubricate and protect the eyes from drying or trauma during general anesthetic. In a 13 month period preceding June 16, 1999, there were four reported feline deaths associated with the use of this ointment. The deaths were suspected to be due to allergic reactions to one or all the medications used at the
      time (one cat also had a topical, ophthalmic, local anesthetic applied during the same visit and another cat had a topical ophthalmic stain applied prior to the use of the antibiotic ointment). Since none of the cats survived, no tests for allergic sensitivity could be conducted on any of the affected cats. However, the patterns seen in all the cats (vomiting initially followed by respiratory sign, and cardiovascular collapse) suggest an allergic reaction. Furthermore, there have been proven cases of human patients that had confirmed tests indicating sensitivity to bacitracin and other antibiotics that caused anaphylaxis in these patients previously from application of ointments to abraded skin. 
      • Source is a paper presented by E. Kathryn Myer, VMD, U.S. Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD; USP Veterinary Practitioners’ Reporting Program: Program information and Case Studies, presented to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, October 19, 1999, Nashville, Tennessee.
    • Recommendations to reduce potential problems are: 
      • Use of a bland ophthalmic lubricant for cats undergoing anesthetic.
      • Consider applying the first dose of topical antibiotic ointment in the hospital prior to sending it home.
      • If vomiting and respiratory distress are observed following the application of a triple antibiotic ophthalmic ointment, immediate emergency treatment should be started as soon as possible.
• Vaccines 
  • Vaccine associated sarcomas 
    • World Wide Web-based survey of vaccination practices, postvaccinal reactions, and vaccine site- associated sarcomas in cats. Gobar GM, Kass PH., J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002 May 15;220(10):1477-82
    • Inflammation associated cancer in cats.
    • Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks
    • White paper published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association on March 1, 2001, regarding the current understanding of vaccine-associated feline sarcomas.
  • Vaccine associated reactions, non-sarcoma related 
    • Because of the concerns amongst veterinarians about vaccine associated sarcomas, the use of topical, intranasal vaccines have increased. Because the use of this type of vaccination is relatively new to many veterinarians, side effects to this type of vaccine is not as well known about as side effects to injectable vaccines. For a three year period preceding June 16, 1999 there were 75 reports of side effects from topical, intranasal FVRCP vaccination: nasal ulcers (30), sneezing (15), ocular discharge (14), vomiting (14, including 8 that also received an injectable vaccination at the same time), fever (10), oral ulcers (9), and respiratory distress (4, including 3 that received injectable vaccination at the same visit). All cats recovered from the side effects. Heska, which produces the intranasal FVRCP vaccine indicates that the incidence of reported side effects is 0.0279% (or 2.79 reports for every 10,000 vaccines sold). 
      • Source is a paper presented by E. Kathryn Myer, VMD, U.S. Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD; USP Veterinary Practitioners’ Reporting Program: Program information and Case Studies, presented to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, October 19, 1999, Nashville, Tennessee.

  If you experience what you feel is an adverse veterinary drug response
  and wish to report it, you can get information about reporting from the
  following FDA site:

  Adverse
  Drug Experience Reporting Information

  Adverse veterinary vaccine responses can be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service of the United States Dept. of Agriculture.

History
The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) was formed in 1998 in response to the restructuring of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). Over the years IVAS has grown to become a truly international organization. The AAVA was formed to meet the needs of American veterinary acupuncturists. The AAVA is an affiliate organization, and is fully recognized by IVAS.

AAVA Mission Statement
“To promote the art and science of Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to further the professional development of our members, to encourage the education of veterinarians in Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to provide leadership and resources in the United States for the advancement of these disciplines.”
        
About Veterinary Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been successfully used to treat animals for nearly 4,000 years in China. Ancient Chinese medical philosophy believes that illness, pain and disease are a result of an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy and thereby assist the body in remaining healthy, i. e., pain-free and disease-free. Although there has been a significant amount of scientific study in regards to understanding the mechanisms of actions with the use of acupuncture in the treatment of human patients, there have not been enough such studies in veterinary medicine.

About the AAVA Pet Memorial Fund
The AAVA Pet Memorial Fund contributions will be specifically allocated to this much needed scientific study. It is imperative that we substantiate the remarkable therapeutic effects of this ancient healing method in order to further its acceptance and validate its tremendous healing effect.

How Your Donation Will Help
Your donation will be used to help further our efforts to promote the art and science of veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine through humane clinical and scientific study.

To donate to the AAVA Pet Memorial Fund
Please print the donation form, fill in the spaces, and mail with your contribution to:

The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture
100 Roscommon Drive, Suite 320
Middletown, CT 06457
Or you can use the secure on-line donation process. 

Membership

The Academy is open to all veterinarians, with four different
membership categories: Active; Associate; Student; and International.

An Active Member must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident of the United States, and is a licensed graduate of a college or school of veterinary medicine and who has taken and successfully completed an AAVA approved veterinary acupuncture course or an equivalent program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or acupuncture. In addition, a minimum of ten (10) hours of AAVA approved continuing education must be completed every two years. The individual must make application for membership on a form, approved by the Board, including demonstration of veterinary license in good standing by their state regulatory agency. Active Members enjoy all benefits of membership, including the ability to vote on Academy business, and may hold positions as an officer, member of the Board of Directors,
and/or committee member.

An Associate Member is an individual who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and is a licensed graduate from a college or school of veterinary medicine, but who has not successfully taken and completed an AAVA approved course in Veterinary Acupuncture or an equivalent program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or acupuncture. The individual must make application for membership on a form, approved by the Board, including demonstration of veterinary license in good standing in their state. Associate members of the Academy shall NOT have the right to vote or hold office.

An International Member is any individual from a country other then the United States who is a graduate of a college or school of veterinary medicine, is licensed or certified in their country of residence and has met the educational requirements set forth by the Board of Directors. The individual must make application for membership on a form, approved by the Board, including demonstration of veterinary license in good standing in their country, or be employed by a veterinary school where licensure is not required, and completion of the educational requirements set forth by the Board of Directors. These requirements are to have taken and successfully completed an AAVA approved veterinary acupuncture course or an equivalent program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or acupuncture.

A Student Member is any individual who is currently enrolled in a college of Veterinary Medicine in the United States, but has not obtained a veterinary medical degree or been licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Student members shall NOT have the right to vote or hold office.

Membership Benefits

The AAVA provides a network among all
members to promote communication, continuing education, and member
support. Membership benefits include our newsletter, The Meridian,
access to the members-only section of our web site, www.aava.org,
regional continuing education meetings; and our annual general
membership meeting.

How to Become a Member of the AAVA

You may request a membership application through our business office
via e-mail at ,
fax (860-635-6400) or telephone (860-632-9911 8:30am-6:00pm Eastern Time). You may also download a pdf copy of the form to print, fill in, and mail or fax:

http://www.aava.org/pub/archive/documents/member_app_form.pdf

We also have a secure payment site for on-line membership application. Since AAVA is an IVAS affiliate, payment of your AAVA dues entitles you to concurrent
membership in IVAS at no additional cost.

AAVA Pet Memorial Fund Acupuncture Research Grant Awards

Your donations DO help!

Thanks to the generosity of all those who have donated to the Pet Memorial Fund, we have reached a point where we have begun funding desperately needed research to understand the mechanisms of actions of acupuncture on animal patients and scientifically substantiate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment in animals. In recent years, there has been an increasing and concerted effort by individuals and groups opposed to non-allopathic medical treatment, to severely restrict and even eliminate access to acupuncture treatment for animals. Research to demonstrate and substantiate the effects of acupuncture in animals is vital to keep acupuncture available as a treatment option for animals.

2007 Research Grant Recipients

Changes of cytokine profiles in dogs with allergic diseases after acupuncture treatment $7500

Songhua Hu, Ph.D
Professor of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
Department of Veterinary Medicine
Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310029
China

Canine dermatitis is very common and has been estimated with a prevalence of 3–15% in various dog populations (Griffin, 1993; Saunders, 1977). Most of the dogs with dermatitis are associated with allergic diseases, and in a study where more than 30,000 dogs were examined almost 9% were diagnosed having allergy (Lund et al., 1999). Allergy thereby constitutes a serious medical problem in veterinary medicine. Allergic disease involves both inflammatory cells and structural cells such as fibroblasts and endothelium. Cytokines produced in response to specific antigens/allergens are important in regulation of the inflammatory cells and the isotype of antibodies produced by B-cells (Finkelman et al., 1990; Paul and Seder, 1994). Therefore, these cytokines are likely to be important in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. A number of studies have suggested that T-cells producing Th2 cytokines are responsible for the induction and maintenance of the allergic response (Romagnani, 1994). Furthermore, it is well known that MC (monocytes) and eosinophils are key players in allergic disease. MC are stimulated via IgE receptor to release proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, reactive oxygen species, such as nitric oxide, proteases and lipid-derived mediators. Furthermore, MC specific proteases, particularly tryptase and chymase, are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases in man (Harvima et al., 1990, 1988) and in dogs (Welleet al., 1999a,b). The most important effector function of eosinophils in allergic disease is the release of reactive oxygen species and toxic eosinophilic granule proteins that result in local propagation of inflammation and tissue damage (Elsner and Kapp, 1999; Rothenberg, 1998). In addition, eosinophils produce cytokines that are involved in the regulation of allergic inflammation (Kay et al., 1997; Rothenberg, 1998). According to the traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, Lung is responsible for the skin and fur (Xie, 2002). Dysfunction of the Lung is the major cause of the skin diseases. Allergic diseases may be attributed to a deficiency of the Lung or the aftermath of a Liver, Blood, and/or Yin deficiency. Invasion of Wind-Heat or Wind-Damp into the Lung system is believed to be the common etiological reasons. Therefore, the treatment should be to disperse pathogenic factors from the skin and eliminate Heat and Damp in blood. Stimulation of the acupoints such as LI-11 (Qu Chi), LI-4 (He Gu), BL-40 (Wei Zhong), SP-10 (Xue Hai) and SP-6 (San Yin Jiao) is believed to be effective (Schoen, 2000). How does the profile of cytokines change during the acupuncture treatment in dogs with allergic diseases? No scientific research is available as of yet to answer this question.

It is hypothesized that acupuncture treatment could modify the cytokine secretion and improve the cytokine profiles in allergic diseases. Better understanding of the cytokine changes in diseased dogs may help us to improve acupuncture treatment, select proper acupoints and effectively treat allergic diseases.

The purpose of this project is to investigate the cytokine profile before initiating and after terminating acupuncture treatment in dogs with allergic dermatitis, and elucidate the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for the diseases.

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Directory of Veterinary Acupuncturists in Academia

Introduction:
This listing of veterinary acupuncturists in veterinary schools is provided as a service to the veterinary profession and the public, with the permission of these doctors.Veterinarians who need authoritative information on current research and use of acupuncture in veterinary schools may be able to find an acupuncturist at many veterinary schools by searching this list. 

Also, veterinarians interested in designing or participating in research projects may consult this list for knowledgeable researchers with whom they may consult.

Additionally, animal guardians may actively request acupuncture consultations or treatment if their animals are being treated at these schools, and this listing can facilitate their search for acupuncture availability.

Notice:
Please do not abuse the privilege of having this directory available to the public. You may use this information to arrange acupuncture treatment if your pet is being treated at the veterinary school where the listed doctor is on staff. In most cases, a veterinarian is restricted, by law, from making diagnoses and prescribing specific medical treatment without a clear doctor-patient-client relationship. So, please do not use the contact information to communicate case histories to receive treatment recommendations or diagnoses.

Using This Directory:
The Academician Directory can be used to search for specific clinicians by name as an option. You also have the option of searching using a single state and/or any combination of specialties.

Reporting errors in this directory:
If you are aware of an error in this listing, please report the error to .
This list was compiled by Dr. Jan Steiss and the Resources Committee of AAVA. 12-22-02

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AAVA IS…

A source for communication, continuing education, and support for Veterinary Acupuncturists in the United States.

AAVA BENEFITS ARE…

The AAVA newsletter, The Meridian; access to the members-only section of our web site, www.aava.org; regional continuing education meetings; Mentoring program; resource for consultation; opportunity for advanced certification; and our annual general membership meeting.

MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO…

Licensed Veterinarians of countries outside of the United States, Veterinary students of a college of Veterinary Medicine in the United States, or licensed Veterinarians enrolled in an AAVA approved acupuncture/TCM training program are eligible for Associate Membership.

United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States, and licensed graduate of a college or school of veterinary medicine who have successfully completed an AAVA approved Veterinary acupuncture/TCM course or equivalent are eligible for Active Membership.

• The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS)
• Veterinary acupuncturist’s web sites
• Veterinary Acupuncture Societies
• Complementary Medicine:
  Acupuncture in Veterinary Practice (Literature Review) Lumbosacral pain with no MRI lesions. Acupuncture resolved pain. (06/2003)

• Canine Influenza Facts (October 01, 2005)
  • http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/pdf/CIV-NYS.pdf
  • http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t050926.htm
  • http://www.limehousevet.com/clienthandoutaboutcanineinfluenza.pdf
• Choosing the right pet
  • mypetstop Select a dog® tool
  • Dog Owner’s Guide
  • Inherited Diseases of Dogs
  • SelectaPet - Cats©
  • Inherited Diseases of Cats
• Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)(03/04/2005)
• Parkinson’s Disease,  Possible Pesticide Link
• The UC Davis Pet Loss Hotline
• Pet owner information from Washington State University
• Poisoning:
  National Animal Poison Control Center
  
• Poisoning: 
  List of Non Toxic Plants
• Travelling with your pet: PETSWELCOME.COM
• 
  Vaccination Protocols, J Vet Res 1999 May;60(5):652-8
• Vaccination Protocols Evaluation of the Efficacy and Duration of Immunity of a Canine Combination Vaccine Against Virulent Parvovirus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis Virus, and Distemper Virus Experimental Challenges; O.Y. Abdelmagid, L. Larson, L. Payne, A. Tubbs, T. Wasmoen, and R. Schultz; Veterinary Therapeutics, Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall 2004, pages 173-186
• Vaccination ProtocolsThree-Year Duration of Immunity for Canine Distemper, Adenovirus, and Parvovirus After Vaccination with a Multivalent Canine Vaccine; M. Gill, J. Srinivas, I. Morozov; Intern J Appl Res Vet Med; Vol. 2, No. 4, 2004, pages 227-234
• Vaccination ProtocolsDuration of Serologic Response to Three Viral Antigens in Cats; D. Mouzin, M. Lorenzen, J. Haworth, V. King; Journal of the AVMA; Vol. 224, No. 1, January 1, 2004, pages 61-66]
• Vaccination ProtocolsDuration of Serologic Response to Five Viral Antigens in Dogs; D. Mouzin, M. Lorenzen, J. Haworth, V. King; Journal of the AVMA, Vol. 224, No. 1, January 1, 2004, pages 55-60
• Vaccination ProtocolsThree-year duration of immunity in dogs following vaccination against canine adenovirus type-1, canine parvovirus, and canine distemper virus; Veterinary Therapeutics, Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2005, pages 5-14
• Vaccination ProtocolsAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) position on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) vaccination

• American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA)
• AltVetMed
• ConsumerLab.com
  Claims to be an independent quality testing service for health, wellness,
  and nutrition products.
• Natural
  Health Village This site is an online resource of late breaking
  articles in the news media.
• NATURAL
  REARING BREEDERS DIRECTORY ©
  A list of breeders who claim
  to use various levels of “natural” techniques in breeding of dogs
  and cats for sale.

• International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS)
• Association of Veterinary Acupuncturists of Canada (AVAC)
• Netherlands Veterinary Acupuncture Association

• American
  WholeHealth Acupuncture FAQ
• International
  Acupuncture Links Page
• PENS
  for bone cancer pain management: Electrical Nerve Stimulation May Help Reduce Chronic Pain In Cancer Patients

• Acupuncture
• Allied Organizations
• Alternative Medicine
• General Interest
• Veterinary Acupuncture

Your cooperation in finishing this survey is greatly appreciated and will help AAVA plan future meetings.

• Continuing Education Listing
• AAVA Annual Meeting
• CE Information - What qualifies for AAVA approval, member CE requirements, tips for using CE list
• Registration Form

• About AAVA  
• Mission Statement  
• Contact AAVA  
• Find A Veterinary Acupuncturist  
• Veterinary Acupuncturist’s Websites  
• Acupuncture Veterinarians In Academia

• AAVA Informational Brochure
• Prospective Member Information
• AAVA vs IVAS What is the Difference?
• AAVA Membership Application Form
• AAVA CE Registration Form

1. About AAVA
2. AAVA.org
3. AAVA members’ web sites
4. AAVA Mission Statement
5. Allied Organizations
6. Contact Information
7. Continuing Education (AAVA Approved)
   1. Find an AAVA approved CE
   2. Information about what courses qualify for AAVA approval, contact information, and how to best use this list
   3. Submit your course for AAVA CE approval
   4. AAVA CE registration form
8. Directory of veterinary acupuncturists
9. Directory of veterinary acupuncturists working in academia
10. Documents and Forms:
    1. AAVA informational brochure: Academy History and Membership. What is Acupuncture? How Does Acupuncture Work? What are some of the uses of Acupuncture? How long do acupuncture treatments last, and how often are they given? How should I choose an acupuncturist for my pet?
    2. AAVA informational brochure for veterinarians or veterinary students interested in membership.
    3. AAVA and IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society): What is the Difference?
    4. Membership Application Form (pdf format)
11. Links
    1. Veterinary Acupuncture
    2. General Interest
    3. Alternative Medicine
12. Membership Application  (On-line sign up)
13. On-line store: Secure on-line area to purchase AAVA merchandise.
14. Pet Memorial Fund: Help fund much needed research.
    1. Pet Memorial Fund Research Grant Awards

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 promote the art and science of Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to further the professional development of our members, to encourage the education of veterinarians in Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to provide leadership and resources in the United States for the advancement of these disciplines.”

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. IVAS is also currently the only certifying body in the United States for veterinary acupuncturists. 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.

AAVA CE Requirements to maintain “Active” status:

Currently, the AAVA Constitution and By Laws requires members who wish to maintain “Active” status to complete a minimum of ten (10) hours of AAVA approved continuing education every two years.

Qualifying programs and CE units:

All programs offered through AAVA will have the number of approved CE units determined and listed prior to the class date. Providers not associated with AAVA who wish to receive AAVA CE credit approval for their programs must provide summary information including speaker bios, program title, number of contact hours, and notes/outlines/summary of material to the AAVA Curriculum Review Committee for evaluation. Individuals wanting to attend a program offered by a provider outside of AAVA, or not listed here as approved, can have the program evaluated for CE credit by submitting summary information of the program to the AAVA Curriculum Review Committee. To insure that proper documentation of reception of your submission is maintained, please send all materials to the Melissa Concatelli:
Fax: 860-635-6400
E-mail: .

Types of programs which may qualify for CE units:

Veterinary and non-veterinary acupuncture seminars and Chinese herb and TCM workshops will be considered for CE units. However, non-veterinary programs will qualify to the extent that the material applies to veterinary applications.

Refund Policy for AAVA courses:
Refund policy will vary with each course. Please check the individual course description or registration form for full details.

How to use this index:
The AAVA Web Committee has decided to post continuing education offerings in a web log (blog) format for easier updating and to give users the ability to have updates sent directly to their computers through news feed syndication. If you already use an RSS news aggretator, you can subscribe to our RSS Feed to receive CE information and updates automatically. If you don’t have an RSS aggregator, here is a list of available aggretators: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_feed_aggregators.

The RSS reader I’m currently trying out is called Feedreader. It’s a simple, free software for Windows 95 and above for downloading and reading RSS feeds.

The AAVA Web Log (blog) where we list CE offerings is located at: http://www.aava.org/php/aava_blog/ce-welcome/.

When you have viewed the seminar information, you can close the page to return to this index. Not all courses listed are sponsored by AAVA and are not under the control of AAVA nor any of its agents. Any questions or complaints about these programs outside of AAVA should be addressed to the agency sponsoring the program.

Dr. Miller graduated from the Ohio State College of Vet Med in 1989. Between 1989 through 1997, Dr. Miller practiced in equine group practice. He was IVAS certified in 1997 and has had extensive mentoring with Dr. Marvin Cain. Since 1997, Dr. Miller has practiced as a solo practitioner with emphasis in equine sports medicine (i.e. lameness, medicine including performance-related issues) for racing and performance horses utilizing the integration of western and eastern medicine. Dr. Miller is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Victory Gallop, a therapeutic riding program for children.

Mieke Maelfait DVM was born in Belgium October 1953 and graduated from the University of Gent college of veterinary medicine in 1977.

Dr. Maelfait started practice in Ramsel, Belgium, in 1977 together with Dr. Emiel Van den Bosch.

Dr. Maelfait has been an instructor for IVAS several times in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Norway, Brazil, and others. She taught the first herbal class in Europe together with Jim Skoien. Dr. Maelfait was an examiner for IVAS certification in Europe until 2005. Dr. Maelfait came to the US September 2003 to function as an acupuncture and herbal consultant with Dr. Marvin Cain. During that time she established the herbal company, Noah’s Arc, which supplies herbal formulations to veterinary practitioners of herbology.
Dr. Maelfait continues serving in this capacity in addition to assisting in seminar presentations.

Jean-Michel Boudard Osteopathe DO

Dr. Boudard is trained in both equine and human osteopathy. Dr. Boudard has practiced over the last ten years on horses after having trained and met many osteopaths such as M. Garcia, Mac Gregor, F. Lizon and Cl Péchabrier.

His meeting with Dominica Giniaux in 1999 was a turning point in his approach to equine osteopathy. Dominica Giniaux wrote the preface to Dr. Boudard’s book “Stretching For Your Horse.” Dr. Boudard continues his quest for understanding of the horse by using touch and sharing with Dr. Marvin CAIN and Emiel VAN DEN BOSCH.

Jean-Michel Boudard has adapted techniques now essential to preparedness and prevention on the horse, such as stretching techniques and some reflexes such as positional information osteopathic (IPO).

Dr. Boudard is tied to several racing stables to trot GrosBois and CSO anime training to stretching and massage and osteopathy initiation applied to the human and equine.

Dr. Boudard is host of the TV report: “The OSTEOPATHE EQUESTRIAN”
“Course stretching from Marcel ROZIER” broadcast several times on “EQUIDIA”
And “Stretching Equin” CAEN on FR3. “Track in a racing team” THURSDAY
Dec. 02. In the Journal of 20 FR 2 pm, Friday 03 December. On 3 October on france3 Equidia and a 50-minute documentary directed by Cecile Patingre “open hands”

Dr. Boudard has written articles in TURF PARIS, Cheval-magazine, Cheval leisure on Stretching Equin. Le Parisien on osteopathy. Horse harmony December 05, Duplex Aquarius May 2006

Abbreviations and Member Classification
definitions:

1. Active Members

1. An individual who is a citizen of the United States and is a licensed
   graduate of a college or school of veterinary medicine and who has taken
   and successfully completed an AAVA approved veterinary acupuncture course
   or an equivalent program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or acupuncture.
   In addition, a minimum of ten (10) hours of AAVA approved continuing education
   must be completed every two years. 
2. The individual must make application for membership on an approved
   form, including certification of veterinary license in good standing by
   their state regulatory agency. 
3. Active members of the Academy shall have the right to vote.

2. Associate Members

1. An individual who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United
   States and is a licensed graduate from a college or school of veterinary
   medicine, but who has not successfully taken and completed an AAVA approved
   course in Veterinary Acupuncture or an equivalent program in Traditional
   Chinese Medicine and/or acupuncture. 
2. The individual must make application for membership on an approved
   form, including certification of veterinary license in good standing in
   their state. 
3. The individual must be approved by the Board of Directors. 
4. Associate members of the Academy shall NOT have the right to vote.

3. International Members

1. Any individual from a country other then the United States who
   is a graduate of a college or school of veterinary medicine, is licensed
   or certified in good standing in their country’s acupuncture association,
   and has met the educational requirements set forth by the Board of Directors. 
2. The individual must make application for membership on an approved
   form, including proof of certification of veterinary license in good standing
   in their country, or be employed by a veterinary school where licensure
   is not required, and completion of the educational requirements set forth
   by the Board of Directors. These requirements are to have taken and successfully
   completed an AAVA approved veterinary acupuncture course or an equivalent
   program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or acupuncture. 
3. The individual must be approved by the Board of Directors. 
4. International members of the Academy shall NOT have the right to vote.

Member Practice Type Codes:

AV=avian animal practice

Edu=educational

EQ=equine animal practice

EX=exotic animal practice

FA=farm animal practice

MX=mixed animal practice

SA=small animal practice

WL=wildlife

Reporting errors of this directory:

If you are an Academy member and have noticed an error
in your listing, report the error to the AAVA office at or…

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“To promote the art and science of Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to further the professional development of our members, to encourage the education of veterinarians in Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to provide leadership and resources in the United States for the advancement of these disciplines.”

The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) is a not-for-profit organization, formed in 1998 in response to the re-structuring of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). In 1974 a group of forward-thinking veterinarians founded IVAS. Over the years IVAS has grown to become a truly international organization, and the AAVA was formed to meet the specific needs of American veterinary acupuncturists. The AAVA is an affiliate organization, and is fully recognized by IVAS.

Hwa Choi, DVM, Ph.D, CVA, OMD, LAc, Diplomate Oriental Oriental Medicine, acupuncture and herbology (NCCAOM)

Dr. Choi has scheduled the presentation of three cases:

1. Nasal Adenocarcinoma and a boxer
2. Gastric adenocarcinorma in an Irish Setter
3. Low grade small cell lymphoma in a domestic shorthair feline

Hwa Choi, DVM, Ph.D, CVA, OMD, LAc, Diplomate Oriental Oriental Medicine, acupuncture and herbology (NCCAOM)

To be discussed are the primary principle of acupuncture for cancer patients, the effect of acupuncture, privary principle of medicinal herb for cancer therapy, and side effects from conventional therapy and Oriental Medicine.

Hwa Choi, DVM, Ph.D, CVA, OMD, LAc, Diplomate Oriental Oriental Medicine, acupuncture and herbology (NCCAOM)

In this session, Dr. Choi will discuss the Oriental Medical etiology and pathogenesis of cancer with emphasis on pattern discrimination, fundamentals for cancer therapy, preventive strategy of recurrence and metastasis, and fundamental goal for Oriental Medicine oncology.

Jordan Kocen, DVM, MS, is the head of the Holistic Medicine Department at SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists in Fairfax, VA. He was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 1990 and has had training in Chinese Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy. He is on the Board of Directors of the AAVA and helps with the production of the Meridian.

Dr. Huisheng Xie received his DVM at the Sichuan College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine in Sichuan, China. He was an assistant and staff veterinarian in the College of Veterinary Medicine of the Beijing Agricultural University. After receiving his master of veterinary science in veterinary acupuncture, he was assistant and associate professor in the Beijing Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine. He received advanced training in human acupuncture at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and later earned his PhD from the University of Florida for investigation of the mechanisms of pain control in horses using acupuncture. Currently, he is the director of the acupuncture program and associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. Dr. Xie is founder of the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida, which trains veterinarians in Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine (www.tcvm.com). He has received achievement awards from the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Science and Technology Committee, the Beijing Agricultural University, Nihon University (Japan), University of Mexico (Mexico), and China National Society of TCVM. He speaks internationally on veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine, and is the author of 10 books and 100 papers. His textbooks include Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 1, Fundamental Principles.

Dr. Gregory Todd graduated from the University of Florida with a D.V.M. in 1988. In 1993 Dr. Todd became an apprentice to Dr. Patrick Sullivan A.P., and began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1996 he became certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. His studies continue at the Chi Institute. He has lectured and instructed nationally for IVAS, the North American Veterinary Conference and the Chi Institute. Dr. Todd practices integrative veterinary medicine at the Animal Hospital of Dunedin in the Tampa Bay area.

Dr. William H. McCormick graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with VMD in 1973. He completed an Equine Internship at the Delaware Equine Center in 1974. Dr. McCormick’s parents made their way through this world in the horse business. Thus, experience with foxhunting, steeple chasing and polo provided a basis for a career in equine veterinary medicine. In 1987, Dr. McCormick completed the IVAS basic acupuncture course. He has also taken Chinese herbal and Osteopathic courses. Dr. McCormick has published a number of papers concerned with issues of sport horse practice. In 2006, Dr. McCormick completed all the requirements and honored a Fellow of the AAVA . Dr. McCormick practice is located in Middleburg, Virginia.

Dr. Durkes is married and has a small animal practice is in Marion, IN. Dr. Durkes has been practicing Veterinary Medicine for 37 years and acupuncture for 33 years. He has done research in energy medicine and gold bead implants for 33 years. Dr. Durkes was treasurer for IVAS for 10 years and a speaker at many IVAS educational seminars. Dr. Durkes sees acupuncture referrals especially for consultation for gold bead implants from 41 states and 2 countries.

Dr. K. Hwa Choi received her DVM (1976, Seoul City University) and MS on Veterinary Microbiology (1980, Seoul National University) in Korea, PhD in Veterinary PathoBiology (1990, University of Minnesota) and Post Doc on Immunology and molecular biology (1993, University of Minnesota). She had worked as junior and senior scientist at the National Veterinary Research Institute for 8 years (Anyang, Korea). Then she has trained at the INRA (institute National Research Agriculture, Thiverval Grinion, France) and Pasteur Institute (Paris, France). She trained in Human Traditional Oriental Medicine in Korea, China and USA and Veterinary Acupuncture at the IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society). Dr. Choi started Integrative Medicine Service at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota around 6 years ago and is receiving more than 1,800 cases annually. Dr. Choi has also seen human patients at the Dr. Choi’s Acupuncture and Health Center (St. Paul, MN).

Dr. Maurice Casey received a BS in Animal Science from the University of Maryland in 1973. Upon graduation from the University of Maryland, he attended the Maryland-Virginia Farriers School and established a successful farrier practice for nine years. In 1980 he attended Veterinary School at Araneta University, The Philippines where he earned his DVM in 1984. He did a clinical internship at the Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Casey completed the IVAS basic course and was certified as a Veterinary Acupuncturist 1994. In 1995 he started a strictly equine practice with an emphasis on Acupuncture in Marshall, Va. His practice sees a variety of equine disciplines including; race horses, steeple chase horses, fox hunters, dressage horses, three day event horses, and endurance horses.

Marvin Cain, DVM, was trained in acupuncture by Dr. E.C.Wong, Chinese Academy of Acupuncture and several other Masters. He began practicing equine acupuncture in America in 1973. He is a Co-Founder of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is considered the founder of equine acupuncture in the United States. He has treated horses and lectured in many countries around the world including Europe, Dubai, Brazil, South Africa, Belgium, and many others. Dr. Cain was instrumental in demonstrating that acupuncture is useful for diagnosing and treating many causes of equine lameness.

Welcome to the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture’s CE pages. This area will be used to allow subscription using RSS news aggregators to automatically receive the latest information about AAVA continuing education offerings and listing of non-AAVA continuing education where AAVA CE credit has been approved. Use the calendar below to search for CE by date.