Testimonials

"I used to be a huge sceptic of anything other than conventional Western medicine. What changed my view was an incident a few years ago involving a cat owned by my colleague. This cat was suffering from chronic spinal disease and ataxia which progressed to a neurogenic bladder. We tried everything we could from a Western medical perspective to no avail, until finally as a last resort, my colleague took the cat to a TCVM practitioner. After treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, to our amazement, the neurogenic bladder completely resolved! The cat's ataxia improved as well. That was the turning point that changed my mindset and piqued my interest in integrative medicine. Integrative medicine can offer our patients so much more than we thought was possible! My Grad Dip means a lot to me and marks the culmination of 2 years of hard work and study. It has given me tools and skills to change the lives of many animals in a non-invasive way - including helping my own dog to walk again - and for that I am extremely grateful."

Dr Dawn Wong

BVSc, MRCVS, GDVA

Singapore

"I became seriously interested in integrative medicine when I herniated a disc in my back 15 years ago. Experiencing first-hand how acupuncture kept me from needing surgery, I enrolled and earned certification in veterinary acupuncture from The Chi Institute. My next step in my alternative medicine journey was studying manual therapy (Animal Normalization Therapy) and was fascinated and very impressed with the quick responses in animals when conventional medicine had failed. What drew me to this was the gentle technique and no needles, perfect for those needle shy patients or clients. As more clients were seeking my advice on herbs they purchased over the internet, I realized just how ignorant I was on this aspect of alternative medicine. My journey continued when I received an email from CIVT about their course on Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine. As Chinese herbs never resonated with me, I grabbed this opportunity. After three very intense but well worthwhile years of study, I obtained my Grad Dip VWHM. This course demonstrated firsthand the power of herbs by reversing my partner's chronic leukopenia (conventional medicine was exhausted), resolving panic anxiety in a colleague's dog, to slowing CRD in my own uncooperative 19 year old cat. Herbs are now an extra tool in my toolbox. Thank you CIVT!"

Dr Karen Neff

DVM, GDVWHM

United States of America

"I developed an interest in integrative medicine before starting vet school while working for a veterinarian who did acupuncture. There was not much exposure to alternative therapies during school, but some amazing veterinarians took time to come speak to the students about alternative therapies, and I knew I wanted to learn these modalities to help my patients. I started out with acupuncture certification and then training in Chinese herbs, and loved having those options available. I added rehabilitation therapy and spinal manipulation therapy certification and was also very pleased with how much those modalities benefited my patients. Then I took a weekend short-course in Western herbal medicine and knew I had to learn more. The Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine has been a challenging and rewarding course of study. It has helped integrate my scientific, western minded side with my energetic, intuitive side. Herbs are an amazing modality and I get a lot of satisfaction from helping my patients with these natural, effective treatments."

Dr Theresa SaLee

DVM, GDVWHM

United States of America

"I graduated from veterinary school (Michigan State University) in 1997. Thereafter, I pursued an internship, then residency program in Internal Medicine. I presently work in a small animal specialty hospital SE Michigan, where my employer has been supportive of my herbal studies.
I was initially attracted to internal medicine because I loved "solving the puzzle". I gradually became aware of gaps and deficiencies in allopathic medicine, and was disillusioned with the limited options in the treatment of diseases I encountered daily (too many missing puzzle pieces!). Herbal medicine has filled some of these gaps, and I hope to keep learning more integrative medicine.
My first introduction to western herbalism was when I was having my children. My homebirth midwifery group practiced herbalism, and I experienced its efficacy first hand. It planted a seed in my mind (no pun intended) that took some years to sprout. Once my kids were a bit older, I discovered CIVT's program and online training was a perfect fit for me.
Certainly, I am fortunate and grateful simply to have the knowledge- but the Grad Dip was important to achieve in my mind not only to enrich my daily practice, but also to lend validity to my referring veterinary community and clients', an acknowledgement that I hold this training and knowledge on a par with my internal medicine specialty certification."                               

Dr Cheryl Rice

DVM, DACVIM, GDVWHM

United States of America

"I've been a practising vet for 30 years, throughout this time I have always felt that I could offer the animals I treated more than just conventional medicine; especially in cases that were non-responsive. I've always had an interest in complementary medicine and incorporated very basic remedies into my treatment protocols throughout my career.

In the last few years I was very fortunate to learn about CIVT and undertake the Essentials course initially, followed by my Diploma of Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine. The learning journey has completely transformed the way I practice. The ability to help animals at this deeper level utilising herbal medicine has provided a significantly greater level of job and patient satisfaction. 

The quality and high standard of learning, utilising evidence based medicine when available gave me the confidence to support the complementary therapies utilised in practice; particularly when discussing cases with colleagues.

Seeing animals respond to natural treatments brings me immense joy and a desire to keep learning. This Diploma has provided the impetus to allow me to fulfil my passion in bringing a different model to Veterinary Science. I have started a new veterinary business based on providing holistic support for animals, working alongside the clients conventional veterinarian. This is an exciting new chapter in my journey in promoting animal health through holistic modalities."

Dr Jacqui Snell

BVSc, GDVWHM

New Zealand

"The CIVT Neuroacupuncture course has been one of the best courses in my life, providing a deep update on both neurology and acupuncture. I feel more confident on neurologic examination, diagnosis and differentials. Acupuncture deals with the origin of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, being a terrific medicine to treat both. This course is one you really should consider if you practice acupuncture....highly recommended!" 

Dr Maricarmen Barba

MV, CVA, DHom, ACVN

Chile

"I am a perpetual studier, a few years after graduating as veterinarian I completed a Masters of Veterinary Studies, then a few short courses in various topics. The more I studied in conventional medicine the more frustrated I became with the hypocrisy of belittling herbal medicine with claims of insufficient evidence when a large proportion of conventional treatments have very limited or low-grade evidence behind them. I have always had an open mind and niggling curiosity about herbal medicine, so I started with just the 6 week essentials of veterinary WHM course and immediately loved everything about it - Dr Fougere's tutorial style, the immense amount of research that has clearly gone into each and every topic and how clearly presented and easy to use the information was. From there I continued on to do the certificate and then the graduate diploma which was similarly a lot of information, clearly presented with really helpful and supportive tutors. 

I still practice conventional medicine and offer western herbal medicine to interested clients. Studying the graduate diploma has helped me become a much more thorough veterinarian generally but it has really sparked a passion in herbal medicine. I am trying to make myself take a year off studying before I start browsing the CIVT course list to see what I will enroll in next."

Dr Emily Warfield

BVSc, MVSc, GDVWHM

Australia

"The knowledge I have gained through my studies is invaluable and provides me with skills I can apply to all my patients. I am grateful and happy that I can use this new knowledge to the further benefit of companion animals. I graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) from the University of Sydney in 2007 and began practicing in Singapore, where I curently own three clinics. I completed my Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine in 2014 and was the first Singaporean veterinarian to obtain this qualification. Obtaining both Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine enhances my competitive advantage over my veterinary colleagues. My particular areas of interests are small animal internal medicine, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine. I have been involved with the Singapore Veterinary Association, serving as President in 2014. I have always adhered to the philosophy that all animals – whether beloved pets or strays – that come to me are treated exactly the same way, I always seek to provide the best level of veterinary care for all animals no matter how advantaged or unfortunate they might be. My top three tips for my colleagues are:

1.Stretch your mind and heart to save more animals and relieve them from discomfort whereby western medicines have shown limited progress in doing so

2. Pursue your interest in this field with constant learning and upgrading

3. Excel and do your best always in life and never give up. Preserve, embrace all challenges in life and be determined, focus to reach to your ultimate goals in life."

Dr See Yang Lee

BVSc (Hons), GDVCM, GDVA, DMBT, BBBA

Singapore

"I'd like to express my gratitude to the CIVT team, especially Dr Jodi Van Tine, for coaxing me through the course. I have been fascinated by different approaches to medicine and therapeutics for a long time, particularly for conditions that western medicine does not always seem to address as thoroughly as I would like as a practitoner. I love the bond I build with my TCVM patients and clients."

Dr Katherine Beaton

BVSc (Hons), GDVA

Australia

"I had been searching for solutions to ill health that did not require heavy medication and adulterated diets. When I came upon Chinese medicine in 2004 I knew I had found my Veterinary “soul mate”! I finally began to see my patients regain better health and vitality with acupuncture. The herbal aspect continued to allude me however, but I knew it was the next step and in 2018 I started my two-year journey into the Graduate Diploma in Chinese Herbal Medicine. I now have a solid base on which to grow and help patients in so many areas where traditional medicine cannot. Chinese herbal medicine can thwart endocrine disease, autoimmune disease, and even cancer! I have now had several hemangiosarcoma patients make it past 1 year remission! I am so grateful for my Chinese herbal pharmacy every day and so excited to tweak and learn with each new case. I see Chinese herbal medicine as more accessible, more affordable, and more acceptable to people and their pets. Pets also tolerate herbs better than traditional medication. It has become my go-to tool daily in practice! Thank you once again CIVT for offering these fantastic courses!" 

Dr Corinne Chapman

BSc, DVM, CVA, GDVCHM

Canada

"My interest in natural therapies started shortly after graduating from vet school when my dog, Spaz, who had IBD, taught me the power of minimally processed food. If it weren't for her, I might never have opened my mind to raw or minimally processed food, and then the other holistic modalities that followed. I am particularly interested in Western Herbs because the wild plants talk to me! I go for a walk in the woods nearby and it is truly incredible how much medicine surrounds me. The local plants that I can see, touch, smell and watch as they change through the seasons are the best medicine of all! Western herbs are the focus of my practice, I am also acupuncture certified and have acquired some knowledge of TCM herbs via osmosis. I’ve found herbs have made such a positive difference in the lives of so many animals, but most important to me now is my own dog, Kismet, who has osteosarcoma and is enjoying the best days of her life thanks in large part to herbal medicine. The Grad Dip VWHM has taught me to make more effective herbal formulas that are tailored to the individual animal, paying particular attention to the energetics of the herbs and the animal. I was using herbs before, but not in such an individualized manner. It makes me feel good to make a difference in the lives of the animals around me! I highly recommend the Grad Dip VWHM course - the breadth and depth of topics covered provide the necessary knowledge to make a powerful difference in the lives of the animals that cross our paths. I’m looking forward to next learning more about TCM herbs and homeopathy."

Dr Tonya Khan

Canada

"When I graduated in 1980 there was no mention of acupuncture as an alternative or an adjunct. I visited a friend of my parents in Switzerland in 1993, who was a healer. In the couple of months I spent there I met clients and other practitioners in various modalities and started to open my mind a little. In 1995 I worked in a practice in the Hunter Valley, where the owner used to use an iodine compound liquid to do "acupuncture" on sore muscles (by "ringing the dragon" ) and saw some effects. I then bought a "cookbook" for acupuncture in the horse, which I rarely used in the future years, but I did read it. In 2013 I had a vet working for me who was in the middle of her IVAS qualification. I saw some of the results she got and became intrigued, so I enrolled in the "Introduction to Acupuncture" short course at CIVT. Using that opened my eyes more and I looked at several courses before settling on the CIVT course. I don't regret it! But it took a quantum shift in my western scientific brain to get my head around the theory!! What I find most useful is the broadening of my vision so I look at cases with stereo vision now, and the chance to do other things besides drugs to affect a treatment. The downside is my consults now take longer!!"

Dr David Bartholomeusz

BVMS, MANZCVS, BSc, CF, GDVA

Australia