Certification

Why 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.”

Your ability to help patients, especially with difficult cases that don’t respond well to allopathic medicine, will be dramatically increased.

How Do I Become Certified?

The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy is the only certifying veterinary body in the United States. The certification process begins by becoming a veterinarian and taking courses in homeopathy. Self-study of the Organon, Kent’s Lectures, and other seminal homeopathic works is recommended before attending the requisite classes. This will help you get the most out of the required course work.

Courses must be AVH approved and fulfill the following criteria: successful completion of a minimum of 125 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 125 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.

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.

Sample Certification Case

Approved Courses

There are two courses that have requested and received AVH approval in preparation for the Certification in Veterinary Homeopathy (CVH):

The Professional Master Course in Veterinary Homeopathy offered by the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy: The PIVH has helped train veterinarians to become successful classical homeopathic practitioners since 1992, celebrating 33 years of educational excellence. A veterinary faculty team with over 265 combined years of clinical veterinary homeopathic expertise, joined by Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD, offer a broad range of knowledge in both small and large animal medicine. We offer over 250 hours of live faculty instruction in our expanded Professional Master Course, which combines our previous basic and advanced courses with new material from our faculty team. Our goal is to provide our students with a solid foundation in classical homeopathy and greater faculty contact and mentoring than ever before. The Professional Master Course is an eighteen month long integrated virtual classroom and multimedia program, comprised of live virtual classroom modules, inter-modular webinars, mentoring case rounds, homework study with clinical case work, and exams. Faculty guidance and mentorship are provided throughout the entire program to help students master their own clinical case work, with the course length allowing for the development of skills necessary to successfully treat the complex chronic cases that are commonly seen in practice. Post graduation, the PIVH offers ongoing mentorship, webinars, and Annual Conferences for our graduates. 

The Veterinary Homeopathy Institute is dedicated to providing veterinarians with a solid foundation in classical homeopathy practice. Our 168-hour comprehensive program taught over 8 months is designed to teach the principles and practical application of homeopathy for treating both acute and chronic disease in animals. It offers an integrated virtual learning platform, with the option of attending some sessions in person or the entire program online. With a focus on clinical excellence and mentorship, the Foundations Course equips veterinarians with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate homeopathy effectively into their practice. By providing direct faculty engagement and hands-on case-based learning, the course prepares veterinarians to successfully navigate the complexities of chronic disease cases commonly encountered in practice. We also offer the opportunity to enroll in individual modules within the Foundations Course at a discounted rate for any veterinarian that has completed their training with Dr. Pitcairn or with VHI.
Our veterinary faculty have earned their Certified Veterinary Homeopath (CVH) credential through the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, in addition to years of advanced training in homeopathy for animals and people. Instructors include Lisa Melling, DVM, CVH, Laura Weis, DVM, CVH, and Linda Nurra, PhD. Collectively, they bring a wealth of clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the art and science of homeopathic treatment for animals. Their diverse backgrounds in veterinary medicine and homeopathy, including experience in treating both animals and people, ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum.
Beyond course completion, the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute remains committed to supporting our graduates with ongoing formal mentorship, advanced webinars and short courses, and continuing education opportunities to further refine and expand their expertise in veterinary homeopathy.

After Certification

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 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.

Certification Forms and Application

Please contact us for a complete application packet.

Certification Committee Members

Jody Bearman, DVM, CVH, CVA, CVCH, CVSMT – Committee Chairperson
AnShen Holistic Veterinary Care
1222 Saalsaa Road
Madison, WI  53711

Diana Bochenski, DVM,  CVH
Buellton Veterinary Clinic
823 Taylor Avenue
Rapid City, SD 57701

Kathy Combs – Secretary
PO Box 232282
Leucadia, CA 92023-2282
(866)-652-1590
avhsupport@gmail.com

Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH – Liaison (for questions about the process)
706 Concha Drive
Sebastian, FL 32958
(443) 895-9555
TinaChambreau@gmail.com