The importance of keeping an open mind is firmly imprinted in the consciousness of 21 senior veterinary students who recently traveled to China to study veterinary acupuncture. They were the first Western students to receive instruction from CAU veterinary faculty in a curriculum that emphasizes traditional Chinese medicine. Sometimes we get so locked into a scientific process that we're not willing to consider other possibilities.
Veterinary acupuncture is a healing art that is centuries old.
The CAU's College of Veterinary Medicine offers Chinese veterinary students academic programs in Western medicine or traditional medicine, which includes herbal and holistic practices. The practice animals were partially sedated. Students were exposed to more clinical techniques involving live animals than would be possible in a teaching setting in the United States, where veterinary and medical schools follow more restrictive animal use guidelines. Typical acupuncture treatments are spread out over six to eight sessions and needles remain in the patient for five to 25 minutes. Shorter time periods are used for treatments designed for strengthening, while longer insertion times are used for pain management.