Sequence of Courses:

     The Tallgrass Training Program is designed for the adult learner. You are welcome to take any course at any time since it is a self-paced program. However, the following is how we believe it would be best to proceed through the courses to receive the maximum learning benefit especially if you are becoming a Certified Practitioner.

Introductory Courses

1.    We suggest that you begin your course of study with the Introductory Online Course – Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine prior to taking the Hands-On Course – Introduction to Equine or Small Animal Acupressure & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

2.    You are welcome to proceed to taking the third Introductory Course – Introduction to the 5-Element Theory either Online or Hands-On. The Equine Introduction to the 5-Element theory is offered Hands-On every summer; otherwise, it is an Online Course.

3.    Now you are prepared to take the three Intermediate Level Courses. Please take these courses in whatever sequence works best for you. Some people like to take the Hands-On Course first and then complete the On-line Courses and others are more comfortable doing these courses the other way around. The Hands-On Course is Equine or Small AnimalMeridians & Specific Conditions and the two Online Courses are: Acupoint Classifications and Meridian Theory.

4.     There are 2 Advanced Courses. We suggest that you take both the Hands-On and the Online Equine or Canine Landmark Anatomy & Acupoint Energetics. Learning by doing is usually twice as good as reading and seeing. Plus, the cost of taking both courses is only $145.00more.

        Indicators & Assessment is a Hands-On Course and it is the final course before taking the Practicum.

There are Three Required Introductory Courses:

• Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine is an Online Course that gives you the basic underlying concepts needed to begin your study of animal acupressure. We suggest participants take this Online Course prior to coming to the Hands-On Introductory Equine or Small Animal Acupressure & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) course. It provides a base of understanding the TCM concepts and we will review this material again during the Hands-On course.
• Introduction to The 5-Element Theory is offered either Online or Hands-On to fulfill the Practitioner Certificate requirements. (Participants need only complete online or Hands-On, not both .) This course continues your study of significant Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts and goes further into understanding the meridians and offers you a specific acupressure point selection technique.
• Introduction to Equine and Small Animal Acupressure & Traditional ChineseMedicine in this Hands-On course you will learn how to perform a complete acupressure treatment and put the theory into practice while working directly with horses, dogs, and cats. Everyone in the Practitioner Certificate Program is required to take this course.
  

There are Three Required Intermediate Courses:

• 2 Online Courses include – Meridian Theory and Acupoint Classifications – these courses provide you with the in-depth theoretical base that you need to understand the functions of the meridians and how to use acupoints which is your TCM tool box.
• The Intermediate Hands-On Course is: Meridians & Specific Conditions – this two-part course is designed to reinforce all the theoretical knowledge you gain from the introductory courses with hands-on practice with horses and small animals. We trace each of the 12 major meridians and 2 extraordinary vessels in detail and locate many specific acupoints used for specific common conditions. This course brings everything together to create a conceptual and practical application whole.
  
  

Two Advanced courses are required for the Practitioner Certificate Program :

• Online and/or Hands-On: Canine or Equine Landmark Anatomy and Acupoint Energetics – (Note: Hands-On courses are only offered in the USA) This course includes the Online Course, a DVD and a written manual so that you will be able to review point locations any time you feel the need. The course covers basic anatomy with an emphasis on point location, function, and energetics.
• The Hands-On Course is – Indicators & Assessment where you will learn more techniques for assessing the animal’s condition. As a Practitioner, you will need to be able to identify patterns of disharmony and be more knowledgeable and efficient in your point selection.
  

1-Day Practicum:

This is the culmination of the Practitioner’s studies. As the final step to becoming a Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute Practitioner Certificate Program Practitioner, each participant is required to sit for a 1-day Practicum which includes a written and a Hands-On portion. We need to know that you have learned enough to offer competent animal acupressure sessions. Participants receive a review study sheet prior to taking their examination. As an Animal Acupressure Practitioner, you are part of this pioneering effort to bring acupressure to animals. The more we all know the better for the animals.