Welcome to the Chi Institute: Veterinary Acupuncture, Veterinary Continuing Education, Equine Acupuncture, Small Animal Acupuncture, Veterinary Herbal, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Chi Institute

Speakers and Instructors

	Shen Huisheng Xie, DVM, PhD Dr. Xie (pronounced "shay") received his DVM at the Sichuan College of Veterinary Medicine in China in 1983. In 1988, he received his Master of Science in Veterinary Acupuncture. From 1988 to 1994, he was an Assistant and Associate Professor in the Beijing Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1999, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida for his investigation of the mechanisms of pain control in horses by using acupuncture. He is the Director of Veterinary Acupuncture Internship Program at the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Florida now. He has been invited to lecture veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine all over the world. He has published 10 books and over 100 scientific papers.
	Yumiko Bannai, DVM, CVA (Photographed by Kimiko Bannai) Dr.Yumi owns Yumi Holistic Veterinary Clinic ( www.yumib.com ) which is a 100% holistic veterinary practice for small animals. She also has an Acupuncture and Veterinary Massage School in Yokohama Japan . She was certified as a Veterinary Acupuncturist by Chi Institute in Reddick , Florida , and is a certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapist (veterinary chiropractor) with the Healing Oasis Wellness Center . Dr. Yumi is a TA for Chi Institute Small Animal Acupuncture classes, and helps interface the teachings for the Japanese students. Dr. Yumi has great passion and loves to teach TCVM, as well as supporting her clients to understand and use a holistic veterinary approach.
	Signe Beebe, DVM, CVA Dr. Beebe received her DVM in 1988 from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, and has practiced integrative medicine since 1995. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture, Chinese herbology and veterinary tui-na by the Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine and China National Society of TCVM, and has completed the certificate program in Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Beebe owns the Integrative Veterinary Center in CA and specializes in Chinese herbal medicine. She has a special interest in the application of integrative and Chinese medicine for zoo animals. Dr Beebe is a regular lecturer for the Chi Institute and is the coordinator of the West Coast Small Animal Acupuncture course. Dr Beebe is the author of "Clinical Handbook of Chinese Veterinary Herbal Medicine" and she lectures in the US and internationally.
	Suzanne Brannan, DVM, CVA Dr. Suzy Brannan graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. In 2004, she became a certified veterinary acupuncturist, completing the Small Animal Acupuncture Course at the Chi Institute. Suzy is currently continuing her education in Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy and Tui-na at the Chi Institute. She divides her time between 3 practices in Gainesville, Micanopy, and Ocala and keeping up with her daughter.
	Shauna Cantwell , DVM, MVSc, CVA Dr. Cantwell is a 2002 graduate of the Chi Institute Mixed Animal Acupuncture class. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Canada in 1989, and worked in mixed, small animal, and emergency medicine until 1995. In 1998, she completed a residency in anesthesia, masters in veterinary science, and moved to the University of Florida to be on faculty in the Anesthesia and Pain Management department. Here she applies her acupuncture in clinical studies, and also on her animals at home. She and her husband have a farm in Newberry, Florida, where they rescue, retrain, rehabilitate and heal 15 horses, 5 dogs, and 3 cats . She has practiced Tai Chi for 15 years and rides dressage in her free time.
	Elizabeth Carson, DVM, CVA, CVT Dr. Beth Carson obtained her DVM from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She recently completed a one year internship in Acupuncture at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Carson completed the equine acupuncture course at the Chi Institute in December of 2005. She obtained her certified in both acupuncture and tui-na through the Chi Institute in 2007. She has completed both the equine and small animal advanced acupuncture courses, TCVM food therapy and tui-na, and all five of the TCVM herbal therapy and clinical application courses at the Chi Institute. She currently is completing certification in TCVM herbal therapy. At present Dr. Carson is finishing work on research for the treatment of equine anhidrosis with acupuncture and herbal therapy at the University of Florida. She is an equine an small animal lab instructor with the Chi Institute and plans on pursuing a Masters degree in TCVM.
	Cheryl Chrisman, DVM, MS, EdS, ACVIM-Neurology, CVA Dr. Chrisman received her DVM from Michigan State University in 1968 and an MS degree from the Ohio State University in 1974. She became certified in veterinary neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialty of Neurology in 1976. She joined the faculty of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (UFCVM) as a neurologist in 1977 and then obtained an Education Specialist degree from UF in 1987. She is currently Professor and Chief of Neurology at the UFCVM. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist from the Chi Institute. She integrates acupuncture in her Neurology practice, works with Dr. Xie in the UFCVM acupuncture service and is a member of the UFCVM Acupuncture Internship Committee.
	Roger Clemmons, DVM, Ph. D, CVA Dr. Clemmons received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and in 1973 and Ph.D in 1979, both from Washington State University. He is the Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, and is a certified Veterinary Acupuncturist as well. He integrates veterinary acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition into his practice.
	Himani Das, DVM, CVA A native New Yorker, Himani Das received her DVM from Cornell University, NY, in 1994. She was certified through the AVCA in animal chiropractic in 1996 and completed acupuncture training & certification from IVAS as well as Chi Institute in January, 1999. Dr. Das also graduated as a certified equine sports massage therapist in December, 1998. Her holistic veterinary experience includes having worked for a strictly holistic veterinary practice in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Das has had her own holistic equine practice, Managing Animals Naturally, Inc., in Reddick, Florida for 5 years. Her favorite pastimes include being an Ashtanga yoga practitioner and bonding with “Skipper”, her 14 years old Arabian gelding.
	Xiaolin Deng, OMD, AP, MS Dr. Xiaolin Deng received her medical degree from Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1982. She has practiced and taught traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China and the United States for over 22 years. Her expertise in the treatment of hypertension and renal diseases using the TCM is recognized in the United States. She currently teaches and practices TCM in Gainesville, Florida.
	Constance DiNatale, DVM Dr. Constance DiNatale owns a holistic practice in Winter Park, Florida. She uses predominantly herbs, acupuncture, nutrition, and spinal manipulation to treat patients. She took the IVAS acupuncture course in 1989, and has studied and taught with Dr. Xie at Chi Institute since 1999. Her favorite things to do in her spare time are to spend time with her son, Valenttine, and to teach and learn at the Chi Institute.
	Bruce Ferguson, DVM, MS, CVA, CVH Dr. Bruce Ferguson received his MS in Animal Behavior in 1986 and his DVM in 1992 from the University of Florida. He studied with IVAS in 1997 and began attending Chi Institute classes in 1998. After certification in TCVM acupuncture and herbal medicine, he studied Tui-na in Beijing and, along with Dr. Xie, developed a TCVM Tui-na course offered at the Chi Institute now. He has attended human acupuncture school and trains with experts in human TCM annually. He lectures at veterinary colleges and at scientific meetings nationally and internationally in the field of TCVM. He has trained and taught oriental martial and meditative arts for over 25 years and includes Qi-gong practice in his presentations at the Chi Institute.
	Gregory Todd, DVM, CVA Dr. Gregory Todd graduated from the University of Florida with a D.V.M. in 1988. In 1993 Dr. Todd became an apprentice to Dr. Patrick Sullivan A.P., and began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1996 he became certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. His studies continue at the Chi Institute. He has lectured and instructed nationally for IVAS, the North American Veterinary Conference and the Chi Institute. Dr. Todd practices integrative veterinary medicine at the Animal Hospital of Dunedin in the Tampa Bay area.
	Joyce Harman, DVM, CVT (photographed by Deb Morrow) Dr. Joyce Harman graduated from Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1985. She has been certified in veterinary acupuncture for fourteen years and veterinary chiropractic for a decade. She has since completed advanced training in homeopathy and herbal medicine and is currently working on a master's degree in Chinese medicine. Dr. Harman has served as president of the AHVMA, chairman of the Alternative Medicine Committee for the AAEP and has been a member of the task force on alternative medicine for the AVMA. She has published 40 papers in professional publications given many lectures to professional audiences internationally.
	Skip Hightman, DVM, DOM, CVA, CVH, Diplomat NCCAOM Dr. Hightman is a 1975 Illinois graduate and has practiced TCVM since 1994. He has lectured and been an instructor for IVAS and Chi Institute as well. He is also certified and uses chiropractic, Tui-na, NAET (allergy elimination treatment), Homeopathy, and Healing Touch in conjunction with TCM Acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritional therapy.
	Carole Holland, DVM, CVA, CVT Dr. Carole Holland is working in Wellington Florida at the Palm Beach Equine Clinic. Her practice is focused on providing chiropractic, acupuncture, and herbal medicine services in this clinic. She has worked on the racetracks in New York and Florida as a "western" practitioner for 18 years. After studying veterinary chiropractic and then completing the veterinary acupuncture courses at the Chi Institute, Dr. Holland changed her practice and now mostly works as an alternative medicine practitioner.
	David Hirsch, DVM, CVA, CVH David Hirsch graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983, he was certified by the American Chiropractic Veterinary Association in 2001. He was certified by the Chi Institute in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2002 and Herbology in 2007. He is the co owner and co director of Parkway Veterinary Hospitals in Cape May Courthouse and Marmora NJ. Dr. Hirsch is a member of the Board of Trustee for the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference and a past Board Member for the Marine Mammal Stranding Center of NJ.
	Sarah le Jeune, DVM, DACVS, DECVS, CVA Dr. le Jeune is originally from Belgium and received her DVM degree from the University of Liege (Belgium) in 1999. After completing a residency in Equine Surgery at UC Davis, Dr. le Jeune became a board-certified surgeon and has been a member of the UC Davis Equine Surgery faculty since 2003. Since becoming certified in veterinary acupuncture, she has integrated acupuncture and TCVM into her equine practice.
	Debby Kress, DVM, CVA Dr. Kress earned her DVM at the University of California, Davis, where she was the first veterinary student to complete a clinical rotation in TCVM at the VMTH, University of Florida, with Dr. Huisheng Xie, PhD. She has practiced integrative medicine since 2002. In 2003 she received her CVA from the Chi Institute and in 2006 completed the Chi Institute West Coast Chinese Veterinary Herbology course. Currently, Dr. Kress has a house call practice entirely devoted to complementary therapies-including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and food therapy .
	Marylin Maler, DVM, CVA Marilyn Maler received her DVM from the University of Florida in 1999. Dr. Maler has an equine holistic practice, SunSpirit Farm and Veterinary Services, Inc., and practices equine acupuncture and chiropractic exclusively.
	Terry Marie Curtis, DVM, MS Dr. Curtis graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She worked in feline-only practice until the summer of 2000 when she began her residency in Animal Behavior at the University of Georgia. Concurrently, she received a Master of Science degree in Psychology. She has joined the team at the UF Veterinary School since August 2003, heading up the Clinical Behavior Service.
	Lina McCain, DVM Lina McCain, DVM graduated from UC Davis in 1993. Lina practices small animal medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her Veterinary Acupuncture Certificate from the Chi Institute in 2005. She lives with her cat, Mojo, and husband, Bruce.
	Vasiliki “Vickie” Meisenburg, DVM, CVA Dr. Meisenburg graduated with her degree of veterinary medicine at the University of Florida in 2004. She then finished her equine acupuncture training at the Chi Institute in 2005. She is an owner and is the primary veterinarian for EquiGen LLC of Archer Florida, an equine reproduction center that also hosts a growing Chinese equine medicine practice. She also serve asvv an AAEP committee member for the Membership development committee, Women in AAEP committee and the chair the Recent DVM Graduates committee.
	Carolina Ortiz-Umpierre, DVM, CVA Dr. Carolina Ortiz-Umpierre is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. She received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George's University in 2005. The Chi Institute and China's National Society of TCVM granted her certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbology and Tui Na (2005-2006). Dr. Ortiz-Umpierre completed a 14-month clinical internship in TCVM at the University of Florida under the supervision of Dr. Huisheng Xie (2005-2006). In addition, she is a co-editor-in-chief for the American Journal of TCVM. Currently, she works as a clinical assistant professor of Acupuncture at the University of Florida.
	Carla Pasteur, DVM, CVA Dr. Carla Pasteur grew up showing horses in many disciplines, such as reining, saddleseat, dressage and pleasure. She graduated in 1991 from the University of Wisconsin and opened an equine exclusive clinic in Green Bay. The practice grew to cover five counties with emphasis on reproduction and lameness. She received her acupuncture training from IVAS in 1997, sold the conventional practice and began an equine alternative practice. She has been a Chi instructor since 2005 and has lectured internationally. Her current practice encompasses TCVM, chiropractic and osteopathy focusing on sport horses and performance.
	Lynn Peck, DVM, MS Dr. Peck received her DVM in 1988 and her MS in Animal Science -- Equine Reproductive Physiology in 1989 both from the University of Florida. She has maintained a half-time research position at the University of Florida since 1989 and also practices privately. Her interest in holistic medicine began in 1996. She was a graduate of the first Chi Institute acupuncture course in 1999 and now practices exclusively using holistic therapies including acupuncture, therapeutic nutrition, applied kinesiology, Animal Bowen (a hands-on therapy), and homeopathy. She is also active in alternative medicine research and teaching.
	Tiffany Rimar, DVM, CVA Dr. Tiffany Rimar received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 1998 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University, West Indies in 2005. She has been studying and practicing TCM since 1998 and was awarded certification in 2005 by the Chi-Institute and the China National Society of TCVM. Dr. Rimar was the first ever intern in TCVM in the U.S. at the University of Florida and worked closely with Dr. Xie for almost two years and helped edit both of Dr. Xie’s books. Dr. Rimar teaches basic acupuncture principles and techniques as well as advanced techniques and labs at the Chi Institute in both large and small animal classes and the technician courses. Dr. Rimar now works at Tarpon Animal Hospital; a fully integrative small animal practice. Dr Rimar is also an associate editor for the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and has lectured around the U.S. and China on TCVM principles and acupuncture techniques.
	Holly Samko, DVM, CVA Dr. Samko is a 1994 graduate of the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Florida VMA and the Marion County VMA. She was certified as a Veterinary Acupuncturist by the Chi Institute and China National Society of TCVM in 2003. And she has an integrated small animal and equine acupuncture practice in Ocala, Florida. Dr. Samko resides in Morriston with her husband Randy, her son Ryan and her daughter Laurel, where she enjoys her horses, dog and cat!
	Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, CVT Dr. Cheryl Schwartz graduated from Washington State Veterinary School in 1978 and has been practicing holistic veterinary medicine for more than 25 years. Dr. Schwartz is one of the original members of the AHVMA. She specializes in acupuncture, herbs and nutrition. She teaches herbology and veterinary acupuncture accreditation courses worldwide, and is a frequent lecturer for humane societies and private animal training groups. Dr. Schwartz is the author of two books: “Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs” and “Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats from A-Z”.
	Robert Spiegel, DVM, CVA, CVH Dr. Bob Spiegel has been in Small Animal practice for over 20 years. He began his studies in TCVM with Dr. Xie in 1999. Since then, Dr Spiegel has been certified in Mixed Animal Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Veterinary Tuina by the Chi Institute and the China National Society of TCVM. Tai-ji was introduced during the first acupuncture session. And since that time, he has become an avid practitioner of this ancient martial arts. Dr. Spiegel feels that the benefits of practicing Tai-ji will provide students with a more profound appreciation of the Yin-Yang principles which are at the root of TCVM.
	Karen L. Spracklen, DVM, CVA Dr . Karen Spracklen is originally from Goshen, Indiana and received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Purdue University. She was certified in animal chiropractic through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1996 and she completed certification in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in 1999. Karen owns the Holly Lane Veterinary Service, an equine practice entirely devoted to complementary therapies - primarily acupuncture, chiropractic, and Chinese herbs. In her spare time she enjoys reading and dressage riding.
	Yvette Vinton, DVM Hons. Grad "Ontario Veterinary College", Ontario Canada '96. Practicing in Fla since 2004. Chi Institute grad '04. Chi Institute TA for 2006 and 2007. Equine and small animal mobile in Morriston, Fla and surrounding areas. Dr. Vinton practices Acupuncture/Chinese medicine and chiropractics, general/emergency medicine, and performs surgeries at animal shelters. She is a Canadian Equestrian Team member for Endurance Racing (FEI 100 mile events). I also breed beautiful Abyssinians - the greatest breed of cat in the world!
	Dennis Wilcox, DVM, MS, CVA, CVT Dr. Wilcox received his DVM from Washington State University in 1978. He started his TCM training in Medical Qi-gong in China and became a certified Qi-gong practitioner in 1996. He completed the veterinary acupuncture training at Chi Institute in 2000 and was certified as a veterinary acupuncturist in 2001. He received his Master Degree of Science in TCVM from the China Southwest Agriculture University and the Chi Institute in 2004 and became the first graduate of this Master program in the USA. Dr. Wilcox has practiced privately for 27 years and has a practice with emphasis on integrating both TCVM and Western veterinary medicine.
	Madeline Yamate, DVM, CVA, MBA Dr. Yamate received her BA from Amherst College in 1982, MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in 1991, and DVM from the University of California, Davis, in 2005. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary herbology and veterinary Tui-na by the Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine and China National Society of TCVM. From 2006-2007 she was an acupuncture intern at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Dr. Yamate has lectured on Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine and TCVM nationally and is a lecturer and teaching assistant at the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Currently, Dr. Yamate is the Marketing Director for the American Journal of Traditional Veterinary Medicine and an associate veterinarian at the Integrative Veterinary Center in CA.
	Carlos Zamora, DVM, CVA Dr. Carlos Zamora got his DVM at Universidad Central de Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela in 1997. He was certified as an Equine Chiropractor by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association at Illinois in 1998. In 2000, Dr. Zamora became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist at the Chi Institute and China National Society of TCVM. He has been pursuing a Master Degree in TCVM since 2004. Currently, he is practicing at the Central Equine Hospital of Ocala, Florida with emphasis on reproduction, lameness, chiropractic and acupuncture.
	Kejia Zhang, DVM, Prof. Dr. Kejia Zhang has been a veterinary TCVM practitioner, researcher and educator for over 47 years. He is a professor at the Department of TCVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University. He received his DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University in 1957. He is the President of the China National Society of TCVM. He is a peer reviewer of the Chinese Journal of Veterinary Medicine, the Journal of TCVM. He is an advisory TCVM committee member of the Ministry of Agriculture, China and the Chief Commissioner of the China National Chinese Veterinary Pharmacopoeia Committee. He published over 100 publications in the area of Chinese veterinary herbal medicine and acupuncture.