Why Should I Become A Certified Veterinary Homeopath?
There are many reasons to become certified. First and foremost is that it is an incredible educational experience. You will be guided through the process by some of the finest veterinary homeopaths in the country.
Once certified you will have developed clearer homeopathic thinking and more accurate prescribing skills. When clients consult a certified AVH member, they know that they are working with an "expert".
How Do I Become Certified?
The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy is the only certifying veterinary body in North America. The certification process begins by becoming a licensed veterinarian. Self-study of the Organon, Kent's Lectures and other seminal homeopathic works is also recommended before attending the requisite classes. This will help you get the most out of the required course work.
These courses must be AVH approved* (please check before enrolling in a course**) and fulfill the following criteria: successful completion of a minimum of 128 hours of training in a comprehensive course in veterinary homeopathy or one course comprising 100 hours of credit, that requires a minimum of 6 months to complete and meets AVH course accrediting guidelines. Of the 128 hours required, a minimum of 50 hours in veterinary homeopathy, preferably taught by an AVH certified member with a minimum of 3 years of clinical homeopathic experience.
Once the educational requirements are met, passing the qualifying exam allows entrance into the process. The exam is offered once a year by the AVH (at our annual conference) and covers the basic principles of homeopathy.
Applicants who have successfully completed these steps will then need to demonstrate clinical application of homeopathic principles. Two acute and two chronic case reports must be submitted and evaluated by the certification committee. Proficiency in understanding what is characteristic in a case is of utmost importance. Once the cases have been accepted the final exam is given. Here are the complete instructions for becoming certified (updated 10/07).
Once certified, AVH members can proudly use the CVH letters after their names. The public will know that the AVH Standards Of Practice (SOP) is being upheld and that their veterinary homeopath is practicing according to the laws of homeopathy.
This information is reflected in the referral list on this website. In addition, the AVH can only support CVH members, assuming that they follow the SOP, if questions before state boards arise. A certified member is a voting member of the AVH and is eligible to hold a board or chair position. Many state boards have turned to certified members for their opinions in cases of veterinary homeopathy.
*At the present time the only course having requested and received AVH approval is the Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy offered by the Animal Natural Health Center of Eugene, OR, taught by Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD.
**Anyone interested in receiving AVH accreditation for a course should contact the AVH.
Certification Forms
Here are the forms that can also be mailed to prospective applications ready to apply for AVH Certification:
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They are in Acrobat (pdf) format.
- Application (9/06)
- Blank Intake and Follow-Up Forms (1/06)
- Sample Case
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We also have the Intake and Follow-up forms available as word processing documents to make case write-up easier.
- Intake and Follow-Up Forms as Word Document (1/06)
- Intake and Follow-Up Forms as Rich Text Format (RTF)
Certification Committee Members as of 10/05
Certification Committee:
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH – Committee Chairperson
Animal Wellness Center
95 Northern Ave.
Augusta, ME 04330
Anthony Krawitz, BVSc, DVM, CVH
Calusa Animal Hospital
5030 Champion Blvd. Suite G11
Boca Raton, FL 33496
Stephanie Chalmers, DVM, Diplomat ACVD, CVH
Holistic Animal Care
4918 A Sonoma Hwy.
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Certification Committee Secretary:
Ms. Kim Ferenc
17 Highland Ave.
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 621-2474
e-mail: ccsecretary@theAVH.org
Liaisons (for questions about process):
Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVM
908 Cold Bottom Rd.
Sparks, MD 21152
(401) 771-4968
e-mail: TinaChambr@aol.com
David Evans, DVM, CVH
RR#3
Chester Basin, NS BOJ IKO Canada
(902) 275-3553
e-mail: devans@tallships.ca
Larry Bernstein, VMD, CVH
751 NE 168th St.
N. Miami Beach, FL 33162
(305) 652-5372
e-mail: lbernstein@theavh.org