A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Veterinary Chiropractor and Acupuncturist

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. Once you’ve earned your veterinary 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 Acupuncture Training

Acupuncture certification programs for veterinarians—such as those offered by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) or Chi University—typically span between 100 to 150 intensive hours of study. These comprehensive courses provide far more than just point memorization; they immerse practitioners in the foundations of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), including meridian theory, diagnostic methods, and the energetic principles that guide acupuncture treatment. You'll gain hands-on experience with needling techniques, point selection, and treatment planning, as well as learn how to safely and effectively incorporate acupuncture into a modern integrative veterinary practice. Whether your goal is to enhance pain management, support performance horses, or improve internal medicine outcomes, these programs equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to make acupuncture a meaningful part of your clinical toolbox.

 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.

Veterinary Chiropractic Training

Veterinary chiropractic certification programs—such as those offered through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) or the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA)—provide over 210 hours of comprehensive training focused on restoring and maintaining mobility, alignment, and neurologic function in animals. These programs delve deeply into comparative anatomy, neuroanatomy, biomechanics, and specific chiropractic adjusting techniques tailored to both equine and small animal patients. Training is typically structured for licensed veterinarians and chiropractors, with coursework spanning six months to a year on a part-time basis. In addition to rigorous academic instruction, students complete hands-on clinical practicums that emphasize palpation skills, motion analysis, and safe, effective spinal and joint adjustments. The goal is to equip practitioners with the skill set needed to assess and correct musculoskeletal dysfunctions that may affect performance, posture, and overall well-being—making chiropractic care an invaluable addition to integrative veterinary medicine.

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.

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.