Alternative Medicine

Dr. Sivula received his DVM from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed an Internship, Clinical Residency, and PhD from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He is certified in Animal Chiropractic from the College of Animal Chiropractors (COAC) and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA), in Veterinary Acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), and in Veterinary Chinese Herbalism and Food Therapy from the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. He also holds an advanced acupuncture certification from the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (Fellow of the AAVA). Dr. Sivula is also a Usui Reiki Master.

Dr. Sivula is a past board member of the AVCA, COAC, and the AAVA. He is also a past President of the AAVA. He is currently the President-Elect of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), an Executive Editor of the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Chair of the Integrative Medicine Committee for the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, and Chair of the Advanced Certification Committee of the AAVA. He also serves as the AAVA’s Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates.

Dr. Sivula is the founder of Dancing Paws Animal Wellness Center, an Integrative Veterinary Practice in Richfield Ohio. Dancing Paws offers patients personalized care using both traditional and holistic methods. The holistic therapies include acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, rehabilitation (including underwater treadmill therapy), and Chinese and Western herbal medicines.

Topics will include:

1. Introduction to animal chiropractic: this lecture will introduce chiropractic theory, examination, diagnosis, methods of treatment, and follow up care. Legalities of animal chiropractic practice and veterinary referral and supervision in Ohio will also be discussed.

2. Introduction to veterinary acupuncture: this lecture will introduce both the Traditional Chinese Medical as well as the Neurophysiologic philosophies of acupuncture. Methods of examination, rationale for treatment plans, and common applications will be discussed. Available training programs will be described as well.

3. Hemp and CBD: this lecture will discuss the basics of the endocannabinoid system, the botany of the cannabis plant, as well as current clinical uses for CBD. We will also cover the current legalities regarding recommendation and use of CBD.