The practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture on animals dates back approximately 3000 years.  Practitioners who treated humans began to extend their treatment to animals, primarily horses. In the United States, the National Acupuncture Association (NAA) created an Animal Acupuncture Research Division in 1971.  Animal acupuncture was eventually introduced to the Western world in about 1972, by human acupuncturists. This ignited the movement for the emergence of animal acupuncture and eventual incorporation of acupuncture as a complementary medicine into both large and small animal care.

Today, many owners are choosing to pursue treatments for their pets that are more in line with their own healthcare choices such as acupuncture, chiropractic, physiotherapy, herbology, and homeopathy. The benefits of a complementary care model are well recognized and being actively sought after by a more informed and engaged public.

TCM Acupuncture and Herbology is a complete system of medicine that can assist animals in various stages of life and health. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other care modalities. As owners demand better standards of care and have higher expectations for the quality of life for their animals, TCM Acupuncture has become a ‘go to’ therapy to support their pet’s wellness. It is routinely used to help with recovery from surgery or injury, treat chronic health challenges and reduce required medications.

The science behind Acupuncture has steadily become more available as its popularity in the West has increased. Although much of the documentation has been lost in ancient Chinese texts, there is now a plethora of research and clinical trials to refer to. Acupuncture is recognized by the WHO as an effective treatment for a large number of conditions. Animal acupuncture, like human acupuncture, is experiencing an expansive increase in popularity as the public becomes more familiar with the many benefits it can provide.

TCM Acupuncture and Herbology is based on scientific and classic principles that span all species. For this reason, an Animal acupuncturist is especially well trained to help treat your pet. The training and education a registered/licensed Acupuncturist receives and can apply to treating your pet isn’t just an ‘add-on’ course.  Their foundational education applies in its entirety. Extra courses are then taken to familiarize with differences in anatomy, point location, pathology, animal handling and specific condition protocols.  These courses may be obtained through a variety of national and international programs and may also be taken through an established animal acupuncture program that allows Acupuncturists to sit the certification exam from the American Board of Animal Acupuncture.

Training and education in eastern as well as western medicine allows an Animal Acupuncturist to communicate, collaborate and work effectively with other healthcare providers such as veterinarians, animal physiotherapists and animal chiropractors. As an integral member of your pet’s healthcare team, the skills and expertise of an Animal Acupuncturist will help ensure that your pet receives comprehensive and appropriate care. Whether it be for wellness, recovery from injury or to help treat illness, animal acupuncture can help your pet get back to living life to the fullest.