International IVAS approved course in Veterinary Acupuncture

The next international IVAS approved veterinary acupuncture course will start 13 September, 2018.

Click here to submit your online registration for this course

Information on the acupuncture course:

13 September 2018 the next Veterinary Acupuncture course starts in the Netherlands, organized by Healthcare-Academy Den Hoek. This course is accredited by IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society) and is organized in partnership with the Dutch IVAS affiliate, the SNVA (Samenwerkende Nederlandse Veterinaire Acupuncturisten). Continued accreditation from the Dutch CPD (Collectief Praktiserende Dierenartsen) has been submitted.

Hybrid course format in which onsite lectures are enhanced with online lectures (196 classical lecture hours of which 33,5 hours is offered via online format).

We have an unique setup within Europe: Since acupuncture is a ‘hands on’ education, most of the lectures are offered on-site; this allows students to learn and understand acupuncture in the most personal interactive way. In addition we offer 33,5 hours of prerecorded online lectures plus a virtual online classroom set up by IVAS (via Moodle) as a teaching and study aid. The course will offer you opportunity to start building bonds with like-minded colleagues and you will get access to all of the resources on the IVAS website. Wet lab sessions and guided workshops with live patients are also part of the course. With this, we strive to offer a modern and flexible way to study veterinary acupuncture at a high quality level. This veterinary acupuncture course offers the full package: from lectures and practical sessions to the IVAS examination, and more (see below).

Our teachers are not only internationally respected and renowned veterinarians and/or acupuncturists, they are capable of teaching and guiding their students to become competent fellow acupuncture professionals.

Healthcare-Academy Den Hoek is very content that Dr. Linda Boggie coordinates the training and the establishment of the curriculum itself.

The teachers are: Linda Boggie (course coordinator), Ina Gösmeier, Peter den Dekker, Eric Laarakker, Ellen Kral, Katja Görts, Dietrich Graf von Schweinitz, Annika ten Napel and Aleid Hillebrand. The course language is English and all of our speakers are proficient in English; Linda Boggie and Dietrich Graf von Schweinitz being native speakers.

After completion of the course you will be able to explain how acupuncture works based on the latest insights in neurophysiology, you will have gained knowledge of Chinese medical philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the meridian systems, needling techniques, non-invasive techniques (such as used in Japanese acupuncture). You will be able to make a pattern-diagnosis and perform treatments as an independent veterinary acupuncturist.

In recent decades acupuncture has gained popularity in veterinary medicine. It can be combined well with Western and other Eastern medicine and therapy strategies. Veterinary acupuncture is indicated in cases of pain, osteoarthritic changes in the joints and other causes of lameness, protruding or slipped discs, neurological disorders, gynaecological and digestive problems, lung problems and problems in the emotional field, to name but a few.

The results are often very good in the case of animals and are more easily achieved than in the case of humans. Provided of course, that the right diagnosis is made and the right therapy is applied. Perhaps this is because animals do not resist therapy and do not carry as heavy a burden at a psychological level as humans do. It is remarkable how many animals doze off or become very calm during this treatment, even animals that are difficult to handle. Another advantage of acupuncture is that the animal as a whole is treated, not just the complaint. On multiple sites on the internet (such as www.pubmed.org) you can find scientific articles on (veterinary) acupuncture.

Linda Boggie, course coordinator, about the course: “This course is truly designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of Chinese Medical Theory as well as the understanding of the proven beneficial physiologic effects of acupuncture so they can communicate with colleagues. It is a practically oriented course as our goal is to give each and every student the confidence to use acupuncture in conjunction with western medicine or as a stand alone modality when needed. The addition of Chi Kung practice allows development of sensitivity in palpation of acupuncture points, increased proficieny in acupuncture as well as personal development as a healer. It has been wonderful to see the development of our students. They and the succeses they have with their patients are the greatest reward!”

Some of the benefits of our unique program:

Besides high quality training in veterinary acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, the focus is also on yourself and developing your attitude and skills as a veterinary healthcare-professional. You will learn to integrate the knowledge into your Western medicine practic

e and to apply acupuncture without compromising yourself.
Even after the first session you will be able and confident to practice simple acupuncture treatments on animals with basic needling techniques.
We incorporate Chi Kung classes and exercises in the course.

These exercises will help you to experience the flow of energy, to

understand what energy does and how it can help to restore vitality. Besides the fun, it will definitely contribute to your skills as a healthcare-professional. It will give you opportunity to experience the benefits of practicing Chi Kung and cultivation of self as a healer.
It is our intention to not only let you learn Chinese Medicine but really being able to grasp the physiologic effects that acupuncture has on the body so that one can communicate to a colleague and clients about how acupuncture can have such profound effects on the body.
We give you a modern understanding of acupuncture. You will be able to explain to your clients how acupuncture works based on the latest insights in neurohysiology.
We have some lectures that are provided as pre-recorded (On-line) lectures. These allow you to be more prepared for the on-site portions of the course.
The course is for both small animal and equine veterinarians. You can choose to track either small animal acupuncture or equine acupuncture, or do both.
Besides the traditional needling techniques, we offer new techniques, which have proven to be very effective and pleasant to use on animals. We are the sole education that teaches these Non-Invasive needling techniques, such as the Ankh-needling techniques©, the use of the Harmonics silk cord © and the use of Acu Cream.

We arrange both the S.N.V.A. and the IVAS-membership for our students for the period of the course. This allows our students to get acquainted with these professional associations, being able to network with like-minded colleagues and experience the benefits of joining IVAS (e.g. access to online forums and the online documents center for members) without additional costs. After completion of the course, you are free to renew or discontinue these memberships.
We have included the costs of workshops hours, required case logs and case report marking and the IVAS examination fee in our
course price. Therefore, after completion of this course, you will have fulfilled all the IVAS requirements for certification, without additional costs.
Concluding, we provide a more comprehensive programme than the minimum IVAS requirements. This is our conscious choice, to offer a high-quality course that will give you sufficient confidence, knowledge and skills to get professionally started in practicing veterinary acupuncture.

Review from the past course: 'A wonderful course in beautiful settings with terrific teachers who care that you enjoy and understand what you're learning. There's loads of hands on experience with animals and small group teaching with superb teaching assistants to ensure you really know where the points are and how to use them effectively within a traditional framework. It's hard work but worth it. I've been practicing western acupuncture for a few years with good outcomes, but since starting this course and applying the traditional Chinese veterinary medicine to my patients, my results have improved considerably. And the course provides the best food of any continued professional development course I've been on in the twelve years that I've been qualified!' Review from Amy Watson (course 2015).

The schedule:

Prior to session 1: 10 hours online lectures to have viewed at least by October 11th, available from 13 September

Session 1:11, 12, 13 October 2018, 3 days onsite

14,5 hours online lectures (mostly about practical points, to have viewed at least by November 15th

Session 2: 15, 16, 17 November 2018, 3 days onsite (with 2 lab days)

9 hours online lectures to have viewed at least by January 31th 2019

Session 3: 31 January, 1,2 February 2019 3 days onsite

1 hour online lecture to have viewed at least by March 7 2019

Session 4: 7,8,9 March 2019

1 hour online lecture to have viewed at least by April 11 2019

Session 5: 11, 12, 13 April 2019

Take home quiz - homework

Session 6: 16, 17, 18 May 2019

Session 7: 27, 28, 29 June 2019

2,5 hours online lecture review/recap

Session 8: 26, 27, 28 September 2019 (with workshops)

IVAS exams to be scheduled in November 2019

Click here to view the detailed course program.

Studyload: the complete course contains 24 lecturing days (196 contact hours) + 33,5 hours prerecorded lectures + 2 examination days. The classical hours + prerecorded lectures together bring the sum of the lecturing hours to 210,5 hours. The estimated studyload for this course is 315 hours (lecturing hours per 60 minutes x 1,5; this includes preparation, homework and studying). Furthermore, you should count on 330 additional study hours for the required books and syllabus (English literature, average of 6pages per hour). The full study load of this course is calculated at 645 study load hours.

The course will take place in the class room of ‘Den Hoek’ in De Bilt, Bisschopsweg 2, 3732 HW, The Netherlands. We have a well-equipped and beautiful accomodation that is centrally located (approximately a 45 - 60 minute drive from Schiphol airport). The course will be held in English.The course hours are generally from 09.00 to 18.30, Thursday through Saturday over 9 weekends spread over a year. The last session includes the required workshop days for participants. This complete training in acupuncture will prepare you to sit the IVAS certification exam and eventually obtain IVAS certification.

For more information or any other questions regarding this education, please contact Claudia de Gooijer-Kant,coordinator at Healthcare-Academy Den Hoek.

The costs The course fee is 4.995,- euro (free of VAT). This includes all lessons (theoretical and lab hours+ required workshop days, USB-drive with lesson materials, coffee/tea/lunch facilities, access to online virtual classroom, access to online platform for Chi Kung exercises, SNVA and IVAS membership, Chi Kung exercises, SNVA and IVAS membership during the course, the IVAS certification exam (1 general theoretical exam + 1 canine practical exam + 1 equine practical exam; the exams are spread over 2 days), review of 10 case logs and final case report and the workshops to meet IVAS requirements for certification. Books are not included in this course fee. Re-examinations are not included in the course-fee. Payment can be made in installments.

Registration is open for veterinarians. Link to the online registration form

Syllabus We strive to provide all the lesson materials digitally (syllabus, presentations, et cetera). You will recieve a personal USB-drive, on which the syllabus and other materials will be uploaded per session. We ask you to bring the USB-drives with you to all sessions, and keep this USB-drive strict for the material of this course. During the course additional interesting or pertinent material will probably be given and this can be immediately loaded on the USB drives.

Examination and certification by IVAS:

To become an IVAS certified veterinary acupuncturist participants must have completed: (1) attendance of all required lectures (2) attendance of the workshops (3) passing the IVAS exams (1 general theoretical exam, 1 practical canine exam, 1 practical equine exam) (4) approval of 10 case logs (to be submitted within 6 months after the end of the education) (5) approval of final case report (to be submitted within 1 year after the end of the education). After having passed these requirements students can become IVAS certified and/or enlisted on the Dutch referral list (trough the SNVA).

Any missed lectures or failed/missed exams can be catched up in the next course or trough another IVAS certified course (any costs for this are not included in the course fee).

Reading list

Required books:

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, fundamental principles - Huisheng Xie (An easy to read text explaining the basics of Chinese medical physiology and pathophysiology as it applies to veterinary species).
Western medical Acupuncture by White, Cummings and Filshe
Paardentypen/ horsetypes - Eric Laarakker (Available in Dutch and English). Characterizes the types of horses seen based on the Five Elements or Five Phases).

Highly recommended:

The Web that has no Weaver - Ted J. Kaptchuk (we recommend to read chapter 1-7 prior to the start of the course).
A Manual of Acupuncture - Peter Deadman (A very nicely illustrated text for all point locations in people as well as discussion of channel and point energetics and indications)
Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine - Giovanni Maciocia (In depth text concerning Chinese medical physiology, pathophysiology, channel energetis and the most commonly used points in people).
Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture - Andrew Ellis (Handy small book that describes all points on the human, giving classic and modern anatomic locations, functions and indications of all points).

"We are aware that as a working professional the time to spend on post-graduate education is limited. With our unique and high quality program we promise to make the time you invest in your professional development more than worthwhile." Claudia de Gooijer-Kant, coordinator Healthcare-Academy Den Hoek

Healthcare-Academy Den Hoek ~ Bisschopsweg 2 ~ 3732 HW De Bilt (Nederland) ~ T:+31 (0)633688491 E: info@healthcare-academy.nl

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