ABOUT DR. VAN

Dr. Van graduated from Iowa State University in 1972 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. After a few years of small animal practice in North Carolina and Florida he moved to N.E. Iowa and entered a mixed animal practice with emphasis on dairy. Over the next 20 years many things occurred; lots of hard work and long hours, divorce, and then remarriage to Vicki -his constant love, friend and companion working by his side since 1989.

In the winter of 1991 while attending a conference he was "made aware" of acupuncture. He was a total disbeliever and skeptic but attended some meetings out of curiosity to see what kind of "strange people" would try such foolish things in practice. After several sessions total disbelief turned into mild curiosity and Dr. Van started training in April 1991.

As results started happening, excitement grew and he received certification by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in May 1992. This was all the training one could get in this country at that time. He has since attended advanced courses in Europe and the United States. His extensive work in dairy acupuncture, especially in treating fertility problems, has resulted in him lecturing in this country, Europe and teachings in Japan and the U.S.

As time passed, his practice evolved into more and more alternative care with acupuncture and Chinese herbals among the most commonly used modalities. After much soul-searching the decision was made to move to the Des Moines area so he could concentrate on what he had found to be what he enjoyed most -small animal alternative care. He and Vicki opened the first totally holistic small animal clinic in the state in the spring of 1999. The birth of Iowa Veterinary Acupuncture Clinic had occurred.