International Veterinary Acupuncture Society

What International Veterinary Acupuncture Society does

The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and membership organization founded in 1974 and incorporated in Colorado (originally in Georgia). IVAS sets the international standard for veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) by certifying licensed veterinarians through a portfolio of AAVSB RACE-approved programs. The core US Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture is approved for 171 RACE hours (102 online lectures plus 66.5 hours of in-person labs with a 1:6 teacher-student ratio), and IVAS partners with the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) to deliver an online Certification in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine approved for 99 RACE hours. Supporting products include the IVAS Re-visit Program for skill refreshment, an online Introduction to Acupuncture course for veterinary support staff (8 RACE hours), an Advanced Equine Acupuncture Workshop, on-demand webinars, and an annual rotating international congress (the 52nd scheduled for September 2026 in Reykjavik).

IVAS is governed by an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors, a House of Delegates, and volunteer committees; operations are run by an Executive Director and a small dedicated staff in Portland, TX (mailing address). The organization serves a global base of over 1,900 members through 12 national affiliate organizations spanning the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, with additional links to societies in Austria, France, Israel, and Italy. IVAS monetizes through annual membership dues (US$125/year, with free student memberships), multi-year certification course fees, congress registration and individual presentation sales, three-tiered Needle Partnership sponsorships with industry vendors (US$500-$1,000 annually), and tax-deductible donations to general and restricted funds. Marketing and distribution combine a content website, monthly and quarterly member publications, social channels, in-person courses, and a public vet search directory that drives referrals to certified practitioners.

Name

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society

Legal name

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society

Website

https://ivas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1974, that certifies licensed veterinarians in veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine through AAVSB RACE-approved courses, an annual international congress, and a network of 1,900+ members across 12 affiliate countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of US$125 per year, providing access to member benefits including CE events, publications, and listing on the public referral site.
2. Certification Course Fees: Revenue from certification courses in veterinary acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The US Certification Course is a multi-year program with registration fees and course materials.
3. Congress and Event Fees: Registration fees for annual congress events and continuing education workshops. Individual presentations available for purchase (US$40 for 1-hour, US$65 for 2-hour for members).
4. Needle Partnership Program: Three-tiered partnership program with vendors of acupuncture, herbal, and laser products. Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($750), Silver ($500) annual fees with advertising and exhibiting benefits.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to general operating funds and donor-restricted funds (Marvin Cain Equine CE Fund, Grady Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, Pet Memorial, Endowment Fund). IVAS is a 501c(3) charitable organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IVAS is a non-profit professional society that delivers post-doctoral education, certification, and continuing education to licensed veterinarians in veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Its core sellable offerings are the US Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture (171 AAVSB RACE hours) and the IVAS Certification in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine (99 RACE hours), supported by an annual congress, the Re-visit Program, advanced workshops, webinars, and a US$125/year membership program that provides publications, CE access, and a public referral listing.

Product overview

The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational and certification products for veterinarians. The core offerings include the US Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture (171 RACE hours) and the IVAS Certification in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine (99 RACE hours), both delivered in partnership with CIVT. Supporting products include the Re-visit Program for skill refreshment, an online Introduction to Acupuncture for veterinary support staff (8 RACE hours), and the Advanced Equine Acupuncture Workshop (5 RACE hours). IVAS also organizes the annual Congress (38 IVAS CE/RACE hours) and provides ongoing CE opportunities through various approved providers. Member benefits include publications, forums, and practice resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• US Certification Course in Veterinary Acupuncture Comprehensive theoretical and practical training program for licensed veterinarians in veterinary acupuncture, approved for 171 AAVSB RACE hours (102 online lectures plus 66.5 in-person lab hours), delivered over a multi-year period with hands-on labs at a 1:6 student-to-instructor ratio and written/practical certification exams.
• IVAS Certification in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine Online, self-paced home study certification course in veterinary Chinese herbal medicine, approved for 99 AAVSB RACE CE hours, offered jointly with CIVT.
• 52nd Annual IVAS Congress 2026 Annual multi-day veterinary acupuncture congress featuring multiple speakers, wet labs, exhibits, and networking, held at a rotating international venue and offering 38 IVAS CE/RACE hours.
• Advanced Equine Acupuncture Workshop Intensive 4-hour hands-on workshop for veterinarians who have completed acupuncture certification, covering subluxation correction, Dai Mai blockages, myofascial trigger points, and TCVM pattern diagnosis, providing 5 IVAS CE and RACE hours.
• Online Introduction to Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine for Veterinary Support Staff Online introductory course for veterinary technicians and support staff on acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, approved for 8 AAVSB RACE CE hours.
• Integrating Acupuncture into Practice On-demand prerecorded webinar series of 3 interactive modules focused on integrating acupuncture into veterinary practice from a business standpoint, offering 3 IVAS CE and 3 AAVSB RACE CE hours.
• IVAS Re-visit Program Skill-refresh program for veterinarians who have completed IVAS or other recognized acupuncture certification courses, with flexible attendance for one, two, or all three onsite sessions.
• IVAS Membership Program Annual membership program at US$125/year (free for accredited veterinary students) providing discounts to IVAS events, quarterly The Point and monthly The Flashpoint publications, free classifieds, congress proceedings, digital AJTCVM journal access, member forums, exclusive flashcards, and listing on the public Vet Search directory.

Quantifiable outcome

• 171 hours of RACE-approved CE through the certification course
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dr. Xie's Jing Tang HerbalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Platinum Needle Partner of IVAS. Located at 4815 NW 8th St., Ocala, FL 34482. Provides acupuncture and herbal supplies to IVAS members.
• Mayway CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver Needle Partner. Located at 1338 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607. Provides Chinese herbal products to IVAS members.
• RJ LaserminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Needle Partner providing laser therapy equipment for veterinary acupuncture practices.
• Cefco Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Needle Partner with contact Dan Parris, 16313 E 590 Rd, Inola, OK 74036. Provides acupuncture supplies.
• London College of Animal OsteopathyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver Needle Partner. Head of Educational Partnership: Gabriel Walker, 380 Wellington St, Tower B, London, Ontario N6A 5B5. Educational partnership for animal osteopathy.
• College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026IVAS partners with CIVT for the Certification in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine course. CIVT provides the online platform and curriculum for the 99 RACE hour certification program. Also collaborated on 2020 IVAS/CIVT Joint Congress.
• American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026US-based affiliate organization representing IVAS members. AAVA delegates participate in IVAS House of Delegates. AAVA transmits CE information to IVAS with member dues renewals.
• Association of British Veterinary Acupuncture (ABVA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026UK affiliate organization representing IVAS members in Great Britain.
• Association of Veterinary Acupuncturists of Canada (AVAC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Canadian affiliate organization. AVAC transmits CE information to IVAS with member dues renewals.
• Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Group (AVAG)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Australian affiliate organization under the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).
• Brazilian Association of Veterinary Acupuncture (ABRAVET)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Brazilian affiliate organization representing IVAS members in Brazil.
• Belgium Veterinary Acupuncture Society (BeVAS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Belgian affiliate organization offering IVAS CE approved courses including Food Therapy course (33 IVAS CE).
• German Veterinary Acupuncture Society (GerVAS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026German affiliate organization with dedicated faculty for IVAS courses.
• IVAS España - Asociación de Veterinarios Acupuntores de EspañacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Spanish affiliate organization representing IVAS members in Spain.
• Nordisk Veterinaer Akupunktur Selskab (NoVAS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Nordic countries affiliate organization covering Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden).
• Samenwerkende Nederlandse Veterinaire Acupuncturistenverenig (SNVA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Dutch affiliate organization in the Netherlands, operating through Healthcare-Academy Den Hoek.
• CamVet (Schweizerische Tierärztliche Vereinigung für Komplementär- und Alternativmedizin)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Swiss affiliate organization for complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.
• Harpa Conference CenterminorOthers · 1 January 2026Conference venue for the 52nd IVAS Congress 2026 in Reykjavik, Iceland at Austurbakki 2, 101.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Brooks Hotel & SpaminorOthers · 1 January 2026Host hotel for 2026-2027 US Certification Course and certification exams in San Antonio, TX. Provides room block at US$159/night for course participants.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA): AHVMA is a U.S. membership association serving veterinarians practicing holistic and integrative medicine, overlapping with IVAS's audience of TCVM-oriented practitioners.
• College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT): CIVT is both an IVAS partner and a peer organization delivering online veterinary CE and certification in integrative medicine, including the Chinese herbal medicine certification co-developed with IVAS.
• Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy: The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy is a specialty association offering certification and continuing education in veterinary homeopathy, comparable to IVAS as a credentialing body within complementary veterinary medicine.
• Chi University: Chi University (formerly Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine) is a direct competitor offering veterinary acupuncture and TCVM certifications and continuing education to veterinarians worldwide, mirroring IVAS's core certification model.

Broad incumbents

• North American Veterinary Community (NAVC): NAVC operates VMX, one of the largest veterinary CE conferences and digital CE platforms globally; it serves the same veterinarian audience as IVAS but across the full clinical spectrum rather than specializing in acupuncture.
• Viticus Group (formerly WVC): Viticus Group runs the annual WVC Conference and in-person CE labs, competing for veterinarians' CE budgets and travel time but without an acupuncture specialty track comparable to IVAS.

Emerging players

• Evidence Based Veterinary Acupuncture (EBVA): EBVA is a smaller, evidence-focused veterinary acupuncture community that has sponsored IVAS congress speakers; it overlaps on audience and topic but does not yet offer a comparable certification pathway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IntlVetAcuSoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/InternationalVeterinaryAcupunctureSociety
• Xx.com/ivasoffice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterinary-acupuncture

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Veterinary Acupuncture Society