American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

What American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association does

AHVMA is a Maryland-incorporated, Tennessee-headquartered non-profit professional association founded in 1982 at the Western States Veterinary Conference, serving licensed veterinarians who practice complementary modalities such as acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. Its core product surface consists of the Journal of the AHVMA (the only peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to integrative veterinary medicine, published on a rolling model), a premier annual conference offering RACE-approved continuing education, a public VetFinder directory of holistic practitioners, an evidence-based Natural Medicines Database, 20+ years of archived conference proceedings, a monthly electronic newsletter, discounted vaccine titer testing through Kansas State University, and ancillary offerings such as the Spirit of Healing Connections Retreat and a merchandise storefront on Spreadshop. Underlying technology is intentionally lightweight: MembershipWorks for member data, Google Analytics for traffic, a WordPress-based public site, and a journal publishing platform.

AHVMA monetizes through six interlocking revenue streams: recurring membership dues from individual veterinarians, associate memberships from companies (which include directory listing, email blasts, and advertising discounts), display and sponsored-article advertising in both the Journal (with rate-card pricing from $375 for a member quarter-page up to $1,550 for a non-member sponsored article) and the monthly newsletter (with 10/15/20% volume discounts for 3/6/12-month commitments), conference registration and exhibitor fees, and online classifieds. Go-to-market is event- and membership-driven: annual conference as the flagship conversion moment, supported by the newsletter, website, social channels, and AVMA House of Delegates advocacy as top-of-funnel awareness and credibility building.

The organization employs a small 2-person staff (Executive Director Heather Vaughn and Operations Director Melissa Kellagher), operates under an elected Board of Directors headed by President Dr. Bart Iaia, and is governed by members through a Council of Elders and committees. AHVMA maintains a seat in the AVMA House of Delegates and operates a charitable arm (AHVMF) that funds holistic veterinary research and scholarships; it also formally recognizes eight allied specialty organizations. The organization has navigated material financial distress during 2020-2021 (revenue roughly half of 2019, virtual conference $108,000 over budget) and has stabilized under new executive leadership appointed in 2023.

Name

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

Legal name

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

Website

https://ahvma.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AHVMA is a 40-year-old non-profit professional association supporting integrative holistic veterinary medicine through a peer-reviewed journal, annual continuing-education conference, member directory, and natural-medicines resources for licensed veterinarians and allied companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Veterinary Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise & Multi-site Veterinary Operations (Corporate/Group Practice) (HLAMAMAI)

Keywords

• Holistic veterinary medicine
• Veterinary professional association
• Continuing veterinary education
• Integrative veterinary conference
• Veterinary journal publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for veterinarians and animal care professionals interested in holistic/integrative veterinary medicine. Member benefits include Journal access, discounted conference registration, newsletter, Natural Medicines Database, vaccine titer discounts, and veterinary resources.
2. Journal Advertising: The Journal of the AHVMA offers advertising placements including full page ($900 non-member, $850 member for single insertion), half page, quarter page, inside/front/back covers, and sponsored page articles. The journal uses a rolling publication model.
3. Newsletter Advertising: Monthly electronic newsletter distributed to over 1600 members. Standard rates are per month with bulk discounts: 10% off for 3 months, 15% off for 6 months, 20% off for 12 months. Allied organizations receive complimentary submissions.
4. Annual Conference Revenue: Annual conferences generate revenue through attendee registration fees and exhibitor fees. Conferences offer multiple CE credit hours (RACE-approved) and serve as the premier source of postgraduate integrative veterinary medical continuing education worldwide.
5. Associate Membership: Companies and organizations can become associate members, appearing in an online directory with website link, featured in email blasts, and receiving discounts on conference and advertisement opportunities.
6. Classifieds: Classified advertising for Jobs, For Sale, and Events postings available online. AHVMA Members receive discounted pricing on classified ads.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AHVMA is a nonprofit professional membership association that supports integrative holistic veterinary medicine for licensed veterinarians, students, and supporting companies. Its core deliverables are individual and corporate memberships, the peer-reviewed Journal of the AHVMA (JAHVMA), a RACE-approved annual continuing education conference, an annual retreat, the online VetFinder directory of member practitioners, the Natural Medicines Database, a monthly newsletter, and 20+ years of archived conference proceedings.

Product overview

AHVMA offers a membership-based portfolio centered on integrative veterinary medicine education and resources. The core offerings include the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (JAHVMA), the annual conference providing continuing education, the VetFinder directory connecting pet owners with holistic veterinarians, and the Natural Medicines Database. Supporting offerings include a monthly newsletter, Conference Proceedings, associate membership directory, vaccine titers discount program, veterinary resources, and the Spirit of Healing Connections Retreat. Members receive access to all these services including the journal, discounted conference registration, and professional development resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (JAHVMA) The only peer-reviewed scientific journal focusing exclusively on integrative veterinary medicine, published on a rolling model and available to AHVMA members.
• AHVMA Annual Conference Annual conference providing RACE-approved postgraduate continuing education in integrative veterinary medicine, with speakers, proceedings, exhibitor hall, and networking opportunities.
• AHVMA VetFinder Directory Online directory used by the general public to find and connect with licensed holistic veterinarians across the United States.
• Natural Medicines Database Evidence-based reference library of natural supplements and therapies available to members to support integrative veterinary practice.
• AHVMA Newsletter Monthly electronic newsletter distributed to over 1,600 members delivering news, event highlights, and advertising placements.
• Conference Proceedings Archive Digital archive of more than 20 years of conference presentations and educational materials available exclusively to members.
• Associate Membership Program Corporate membership program providing companies online directory listing with website link, email blast features, and discounts on conference participation and advertising.
• Vaccine Titer Benefit Discounted vaccine titer testing service offered to members through Kansas State University's Diagnostic Lab.
• Spirit of Healing Connections Retreat Annual companion retreat to the AHVMA conference featuring wellness activities such as Cacao and Sacred Sound Healing Ceremony and Creating Intentional Jewelry workshops.
• Veterinary Resources Hub Member-only collection of veterinary forums, forms, and other professional resources supporting integrative practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64.3% of dog owners and 66% of cat owners felt hemp products helped their pets moderately or a great deal (per AHVMA Journal survey)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pet WellbeingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Pet Wellbeing maintains a 20-year associate membership partnership with AHVMA. The company employs AHVMA member veterinarians on its Board of Advisors to formulate all products, which are third-party tested, NASC certified, and manufactured in the USA using organic and human-grade ingredients.
• American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllied organization offering advanced acupuncture certification similar to board certification. Holds annual conference and other continuing education events.
• International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to promoting excellence in veterinary acupuncture. Offers basic veterinary acupuncture certification annually and publishes a newsletter.
• American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional membership group promoting animal chiropractic and acting as certifying agency for doctors with post-graduate animal chiropractic training.
• American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeeks to increase proficiency and competence of veterinarians in medicinal plants, leading to diplomate status in veterinary botanical medicine specialty.
• Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to developing responsible herbal practice through research, education, industry relations, and increasing professional acceptance of herbal medicine for animals.
• Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (AVH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to understanding and preserving principles of Classical Homeopathy. Offers certification, annual conference, and biannual journal.
• American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to improving quality of life in animals through physical medicine and rehabilitation. Offers annual meeting as part of AVMA conference.
• AVMA House of DelegatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHVMA holds a seat in the AVMA House of Delegates, providing representation and voice for holistic veterinarians in national veterinary policy.
• Kansas State University Diagnostic LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides vaccine titer testing discounts for AHVMA members through the organization's member benefits.
• Colorado State University College of Veterinary MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted survey research on hemp products for animals published in AHVMA Journal (Spring 2016), contributing to evidence base for integrative medicine.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM): Allied AHVMA organization working toward diplomate status in veterinary botanical medicine, combining certification, CE, and standards-setting — directly comparable specialty-society structure.
• Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (AVH): Allied AHVMA organization dedicated to classical homeopathy for animals, offering certification, an annual conference, and a biannual journal — closely mirrors AHVMA's combination of certification, events, and peer-reviewed content.
• International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS): Globally oriented professional society promoting veterinary acupuncture through certification, continuing education, and a member newsletter — structurally analogous to AHVMA but for a single modality.
• American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA): Allied holistic veterinary association focused on acupuncture certification and CE. Operates with a similar membership, conference, and certification model and shares AHVMA's executive director through Vaughn Management Company, making it the closest direct comparable.
• American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV): Allied AHVMA organization advancing physical medicine and rehabilitation for animals, holding its annual meeting inside the AVMA convention — a comparable specialty-focused membership body.
• Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA): Allied AHVMA organization advancing responsible herbal practice through research, education, and industry relations — a direct peer operating the same membership-and-CE model in a single complementary modality.
• American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA): Allied AHVMA organization promoting animal chiropractic and serving as a certifying agency for doctors with post-graduate animal chiropractic training — a direct comparable in certification, CE, and membership-services model.

Broad incumbents

• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): Established US veterinary practice association offering accreditation, CE, and practice resources. While not holistic, it is a comparable membership-and-CE business model and an indirect competitor for veterinary mindshare.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Mainstream US veterinary professional association with over 105,000 members, in whose House of Delegates AHVMA holds a seat. AVMA is the broad incumbent against which AHVMA positions its integrative-medicine specialization.

Others

• American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA): Human-medicine counterpart organization also advancing holistic and integrative practice through membership and education. It is thematically adjacent rather than directly competitive, but shares the holistic-medicine positioning vocabulary AHVMA uses.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AHVMA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-holistic-veterinary-medical-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association