Testimonials

"My journey with integrative medicine started when I was about ten years out of veterinary school. I was experiencing severe migraines and was not getting much help from my own doctor. A friend of many years, Patricia Baley was just finishing vet school and suggested I try acupuncture. And, as she had seen horses treated with acupuncture in Texas, she proposed that we study acupuncture for animals as soon as she graduated. Acupuncture changed my life! I felt better, and my TCM training resulted in a complete transformation of my small animal practice, integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine, adding chiropractic, and now Western Herbal Medicine into my regular practice. The Graduate Program at CIVT allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of herbal medicine, as well as honing my critical thinking, case management, and research skills."

Dr Liane Sperlich

DVM, FAAVA, GDVWHM

United States of America

"I first got involved in Veterinary Herbal Medicine almost 15 years ago when I did an introductory course, followed by two years of study. I have been using herbal medicine and acupuncture alongside conventional diagnosis, medicine, and surgery both in general practice and in my own home visiting practice. The CIVT Grad Dip has allowed me to review my original training, and to expand on some areas, and has finally given me a recognised qualification. I feel that herbal vets gaining qualifications such as this will help the RCVS take integrative practice seriously, and realise that we are working in evidence based medicine, just with a larger toolkit. When I am not busy being a holistic vet I train and work my English Springer Spaniels and enjoy a swim in the sea."

Dr Vicky Payne

BVM, MRCVS, GDVWHM

United Kingdom

"My first encounter with veterinary acupuncture was in 2000 when I started working part-time for a vet heavily into alternative therapies. I did conventional medicine on his days off. It was always intriguing to read through his cases and inspect his strange equipment and mixtures. I would often hear from clients how he had “fixed up” their pet with some acupuncture or drops as if it was just a regular treatment modality. Years later after several moves and starting a family, I found myself again in a small clinic where the practice owner also used acupuncture and Chinese herbs. I decided it was time to look further into integrative medicine and acupuncture. The CIVT was recommended to me by a friend and the completely online format suited my family needs. I have finally figured out what damp and spleen deficiency is, which was such a puzzle, years prior. I did find it difficult to study this time around and took longer to complete my diploma than I had planned. My tutor, Jodi was fantastic, always available if I had any questions and ready with encouraging words when I needed them. I found the whole team at the CIVT to be very understanding and helpful. Acupuncture and TCM gives me another treatment option and I particularly love it for the older patients that may be on multiple medications already or who’s organ systems are already compromised."

Dr Tina Chen

BVSc, GDVA

Australia

"I just wished to thank you for a wonderfully taught and well organised rehabilitation course. I learnt a great deal and have been able to use the skills I have gained immediately with excellent outcomes.....even surprising the specialists! The course was concise on commonly seen ailments, yet detailed to provide comprehensive treatment plans for cases. I am so pleased I enrolled in the course."

Dr David Ward

BVMS, BScAgr, MScVS, GDVA, CCRP

Australia

"I have always had a passion for integrative options for dogs and cats since I graduated veterinary medicine in 2007, however I did not think further studies would be an option for me due to my crazy family life. I referred countless patients who wanted more of an integrative approach and was so interested in the improvements seen. With a push from a lovely client to look into options, I found CIVT and realized pursuing my passion was an option. Western Herbal medicine seemed to call to me! I started using herbs on my own dog shortly into my studies and saw how much it changed her life which furthered my passion for Western Herbal Medicine. I have seen the benefits of herbal medicine in so many of my patients in the past 2 years and am excited to have so many other treatment options. I love the idea of treating the whole patient. In the past year I have also become certified in Veterinary Food Therapy and love using nutrition and herbs together to treat my patients. I also love that I can offer a plan to clients to help prevent imbalances in their pets down the road and prevent side effects from medications when used. My passion and excitement for herbal medicine keeps growing with all I have learned during my Graduate Diploma and I can't wait to continue to learn more!"

Dr Kaylan Elock

DVM, GDVWHM, CVFT

Canada

"I found Gary Richter’s seminar on Medical Cannabis and Veterinary Medicine so very important. As veterinarians, when it comes to the use of cannabis we are caught between procuring accurate knowledge and meeting the needs of our patients. Dr. Richter’s course and the accompanying reading materials truly provide a solid foundation for understanding the appropriate use of this plant using scientific evidence, with the knowledge that this course of action in improving our patients’ lives supersedes other societal constraints. If nothing else, the course demonstrates that current evidence compels us to support more research while promoting changes in the environment in which we practice."

Dr Gouri Krishna

DVM

United States of America

"Since a childhood spent growing up in Central Europe among the fields and forests, I always had a close relationship with nature and always knew I wanted to become a vet. I gained my degree during the Velvet Revolution and fall of communism – an exciting and elating time in Europe. Later I had the opportunity to relocate to Australia and I went back to university to gain Australian veterinary qualifications, spent the next five years after graduation working in my first job, then bought a small animal clinic in Tasmania. When CIVT webinars started to ’pop up’ I was fortunate to listen to Dr Barbara Fougere and a few days later I enrolled in the GDVWHM course. Signing up for GDVA was for me a logical continuity in my newly re-discovered passion for herbs and natural therapies. The passion to use alternative medicine was growing and I eventually decided to sell my clinic to fully focus on facilitating the healing process in its wholeness and more natural ways."

Dr Martina McPeace

MVDr, BVSc, GDVWHM, GDVA

Australia