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A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Veterinary Chiropractor and Acupuncturist

Writer's picture: Dr. Colleen O'LearyDr. Colleen O'Leary

If you’re passionate about animal health and considering a career in veterinary chiropractic care or acupuncture, you may be wondering how much schooling is required. Let me break it down for you—it’s a commitment, but for those of us who live to help animals move better and feel their best, it’s absolutely worth it.


Specialized Training: Where the Magic Happens


Once you’ve earned your DVM or DC degree, the real fun begins—specialized training in veterinary chiropractic or acupuncture. This is where you gain the hands-on skills needed to apply these techniques effectively for animals.


Veterinary Chiropractic Training

Veterinary chiropractic training programs, like those offered by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) or International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA), consist of 210+ hours of formal instruction. This training includes animal anatomy, biomechanics, and proper adjustment techniques for different species. Most programs take 6 months to a year to complete on a part-time basis.

Personal Note: I completed my chiropractic training at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic and earned my certification through the IVCA. This included 210 hours of coursework, home study assignments, and passing both written and practical exams.


Veterinary Acupuncture Training

Acupuncture certification programs, such as those offered by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) or Chi Institute, typically run between 100-150 hours. You’ll learn about acupuncture points, needling techniques, and how to integrate acupuncture into your practice.


Personal Note: I earned my Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) certification from Chi University. This involved 122 hours of additional training over 6 months, passing written and practical exams, and submitting a case study for evaluation.


Why It’s Worth It

Yes, it’s a long road, but here’s the thing: it’s an incredibly rewarding career. Whether you’re relieving a horse’s chronic stiffness, helping regain mobility, or improving the gait quality in a performance horse, the impact you make is undeniable. You’ll spend your days improving lives, solving puzzles, and connecting with animals and their owners in a way that few professions allow. For me, every adjustment, every acupuncture session, and every improvement I see in my patients reminds me why I chose this journey. If that resonates with you, I say go for it—you’ll never look back.

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