38th Annual
International Congress
on
Veterinary Acupuncture

Galway, Ireland
August 29 - September 1, 2012

Download Brochure Here

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

GREATEST STRENGTHS

It does not matter whether medicine is old or new, so long as it brings about a cure.

One of the greatest strengths of the IVAS Annual Congress on Veterinary Acupuncture is the talented and diverse audience that it attracts from around the world. Veterinarians with backgrounds including veterinary acupuncture, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, holistic veterinary medicine, veterinary chiropractic, university educators, students, researchers, and other complementary veterinary services will travel to this event from around the world. Every attendee brings with him/her a unique background and experiences. We come as much for the renewal of our spirit and the networking opportunities as for the superior information sharing.

The spirit, energy, and commitment of the IVAS members are what make the IVAS Annual Congress such an exceptional event.

CAN’T IMAGINE US WITHOUT YOU!

This is the longest existing annual Congress in the history of veterinary acupuncture in the world. We have only started to tap the potential of these Congresses as there are unlimited growth possibilities with its resultant rewards. This Congress provides a unique opportunity to enhance regional strengths through the international program, speakers, and the opportunity to network with colleagues.

The study and practice of Veterinary Acupuncture and TCM has reached an exciting stage in its development with an ever-growing acceptance in mainstream veterinary science. Never before has there been such an appreciation of the therapeutic and healing benefits of Veterinary Acupuncture and TCM. This Congress presents a broad overview of the very latest information on the deepening relationship between conventional veterinary science and the understandings of this subtle complimentary modality. JOIN this community of those interested in the practice and exploration of Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• To investigate cutting edge discoveries in the field of Veterinary Acupuncture research and in clinical practice;
• To expand our understanding of the potential for integrating traditional Western veterinary science and Veterinary Acupuncture;
• To share the insights and experiences of dedicated practitioners, researchers, and others.

THE BEST HEARTS AND MINDS

Now in its 38th year, the IVAS Annual Congress on Veterinary Acupuncture will be held August 29th through September 1, 2012 at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Galway, Ireland. This invigorating Congress, which brings together the best hearts and minds in veterinary acupuncture, features Keynote Speakers, numerous Poster Presentations, Exhibitors, Wet Labs, Welcome Reception and a Gala Banquet with dancing.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Bruce Ferguson, DVM, MS - We would like to welcome as one of the keynote speakers Dr. Bruce Ferguson. Dr. Ferguson graduated with his Masters Degree in Animal Behavior in 1986 from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He graduated with honors with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1992 from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He was certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and Veterinary Herbal Medicine from the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in 1999. Dr. Ferguson has also attended human acupuncture school, but has elected to not be a licensed human acupuncturist due to his passion for his veterinary patients. Dr. Ferguson lectures both nationally and internationally in the field of TCVM.

Dr. Ferguson will be speaking on :
Where are the points, Introduction
Beyond Transposition: Symmetry and Balance in Small Quadruped Distal Points
How I treat Wei and Bi Syndrome with TCVM
Introduction to Food Therapy in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Judith M. Shoemaker, DVM and Dr. Karen Gellman – Dr. Shoemaker is an internationally known practitioner and educator in complementary veterinary medicine and therapy. She is a 1980 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She is licensed to practice in most of the states on the East Coast and in Colorado, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama. Dr. Shoemaker lectures extensively, both in the United States and abroad, on Integrative Medicine and therapy, as well as providing instruction through her practice. She has served as a board member and representative for AVCA, AAVA, IVAS, and AHVMA.

Dr. Karen Gellman – Dr. Gellman is a graduate of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and has a doctorate from Cornell in animal locomotion biomechanics. She has advanced training and certification in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic.

Drs. Shoemaker and Gellman will be speaking on:
Living with Gravity
Normal and Abnormal Posture
Spinal Biomechanics
Upper Cervicals, Feet and Teeth -- the Big Three Players in Normal Posture
Equine: Postural Rehabilitation on Horses

EVENT VENUE

Radisson BLU Hotel and Spa
Lough Atalia Road
Galway, IRELAND
Telephone: +353 91 538 300
Telefax: +353 91 538 506
Website: http://www.radissonhotelgalway.com/
Situated in the heart of this vibrant city and overlooking Galway Bay – you are guaranteed the best of all worlds when you stay at the Galway Radisson BLU Hotel and Spa. Only a short walk from Eyre Square and a few steps away from the Railway and Bus Station, this superb hotel has 261 bedrooms in a choice of styles to suit every taste, as well as 21 fully serviced apartments. The hotel also boasts the Spirit One Fitness and Leisure Center with heated indoor swimming pool, gym and outdoor hot tub. The Spirit One Spa was recently voted one of the top ten spas in the world. As the largest conference hotel in the west of Ireland, The Radisson BLUE hotel offers cutting edge facilities to seminar and conference attendees.
Please call the hotel directly to make your room reservation. Be sure to mention you are with the INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE SOC GROUP in order to receive the IVAS room rates.

The rates are as follows:
Single Occupancy       Double Occupancy
€120.00 per night        €140.00 per night

The rates per room per night include breakfast and complimentary internet access.

TRANSPORTATION

For those traveling by air:
The Radisson BLU Galway is situated 210 KM from Dublin International Airport. Transfer time is 2.5 hours.

It is 90 KM from Shannon International Airport. Transfer time is 1.5 hours.

Dublin Airport to Galway:
Dublin Airport is circa 10km north of Dublin city. You can take a taxi to the City Centre, but the special “Airlink” bus is much cheaper and just as quick, departing from directly outside the Arrivals building. This bus leaves every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on Sunday. It connects the Airport with Busáras (the central bus station). There is a less frequent (half-hourly) service which will bring you as far as Heuston Railway Station. Check the Dublin Bus website [http://www.dublinbus.ie] for timetables and further information.

You can also travel directly to Galway by Bus from Dublin Airport, or from the Dublin central bus station (Busáras). BUS EIREANN: [http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1314893562-20.pdf] travel time can be up to 4 hours because the bus stops at many places along the route.

Some PRIVATE bus operators also run direct buses from Dublin Airport to Galway. The journey time on non-stop services is circa 2.5-3.5 hours 

GO BUS: http://www.galwaybus.com/compare-bus-fares-galway-dublin-airport/ and http://www.gobus.ie/

CITY LINK: www.citylink.ie

From Dublin to Galway - by Train:
There is a frequent train service from Dublin (Heuston Station) to Galway daily. The journey takes approximately three hours. See: http://www.irishrail.ie

Some people, especially those from the Americas, may wish to fly into Shannon Airport.   Shannon is in south-west Ireland, circa 18km from Limerick city and 82km from Galway. There are regular bus services between Shannon Airport and Galway, run by either Bus Éireann or Citylink. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. See: http://www.shannonairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/by-bus.aspx

Another option is to rent a car at the airport and drive to Galway. See Car Rental companies at http://tinyurl.com/6cbpnzx and see the AA Route map at http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/#
Please be warned that in Ireland one DRIVES on the LEFT hand side of the road. Many continental drivers (used to driving on the RIGHT hand side) have accidents within a few km of leaving an Irish airport.

Galway has a tiny airport, with very few flight connections. It is located just 6km from the city center with flights to Dublin, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh and Lorient.
Cork Airport (south coast) has flights to/from Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bordeaux, Bristol, Carcassonne, Dublin, Edinburgh, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gdansk, Gran Canaria, Geneva, Glasgow, Jersey, Katowice, Lanzarote, La Rochelle, Lisbon, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Malaga, Manchester, Milan (Bergamo), Munich, Newcastle Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Poznan, Rennes, Reus, Rome, Tenerife, Vilnius, Warsaw, Wroclaw.

People intending to hire a car might consider flying in to Cork and driving to Galway via the coast road through West Cork, Kerry and Clare. That route takes in some of the finest scenery in Ireland but you should allow a leisurely 2-3 days for that trip to really enjoy it.

Please contact your travel agent for arranging the best travel options for your needs.

REGISTRATION
A basic full Congress registration includes daily lunch buffet, one complimentary banquet ticket, one copy of the Congress Proceedings, and one entry into the drawing for a free Congress Registration for the 2013 IVAS/AAVA Conference on Veterinary Acupuncture to be held May 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The winner will be drawn at the Banquet on Friday, August 31, 2012.

A one or two day registration will include daily lunch for the days of attendance and one copy of the Congress Proceedings. Banquet ticket IS NOT included in the one or two day registration.

Wet Lab registration is separate. Wet Labs are $100.00 each and space is limited. To register, please detach and complete the Registration Form and mail to IVAS along with your check (US ONLY) or credit card information. You may also register by faxing the registration form with credit card information to IVAS at +970-266-0777.