IVAS Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA)

What this means for your pet

An IVAS-certified vet has completed one of the most comprehensive veterinary acupuncture training programmes available (171+ hours). UK-based practitioners are RCVS-registered vets with full regulatory protections.

About this accreditation

IVAS is one of the oldest and most established international veterinary acupuncture organisations. Certification requires a 171-hour course, submission of 10 case logs, one peer-reviewed case report, and passing a certification examination. One of the most comprehensive veterinary acupuncture training programmes available internationally.

Who can hold this accreditation

Must be a licensed/registered veterinarian. Must complete the full IVAS Certification Course (171 hours), submit 10 case logs and 1 peer-reviewed case report, and pass the certification exam.

Referral requirement

Not applicable — members are themselves vets.

Professional oversight

Legal basis

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

Key facts

Founded 1974. Membership exceeds 1,800 worldwide. Very small UK presence (~10 providers).

Accredited providers (12)

• Amy WatsonAcupuncturistCranborne, BH21 5QP
• Constanza Gómez Álvarez, DVM, PhD, MRCVS, FHEA, CVA, CCRTAcupuncturistCambridge, CB3 0ES
• Dalya LiveAcupuncturistChristchurch, BH23 7LQ
• David HarperAcupuncturistThorpe, SS1 3EZ
• Dietrich von SchweinitzAcupuncturistGuildford, GU5 0BY
• Eilka DettmeringAcupuncturistHenfield, BN5 9LF
• Iris EgeAcupuncturistWormelow, HR2 8EQ
• Kate RewAcupuncturistBishopsteignton, TQ14 8NZ
• Rinnert Van den BerghAcupuncturistEast Haddon, NN6 8BX
• Ruth ElliottAcupuncturistTeddington, TW11 9RR
• Sally Cobbald, MA, VetMB, CertEP, MRCVSAcupuncturistHartest, IP29 4DJ
• Sarah Bignell-HowseAcupuncturistWye, TN25 5BH