Acupuncture

Providing Acupuncture For Horses

Acupuncture originated in China approximately 3000 years ago and continues to be a common treatment modality for humans and animals. Acupuncture involves the use of very small needles to stimulate acupoints along various meridians within the body.  The purpose of stimulating these meridians is to restore Qi flow and balance yin/yang for optimal health and homeostasis of the body.

When there is stagnation of Qi there is pain and discomfort which may translate to lameness, colic and other types of illnesses commonly seen in horses.  The use of an acupuncture scan may also reveal areas of discomfort which may not be appreciated during a conventional exam.

What we Offer

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    Acupuncture treatment may involve oral herbs, acupuncture with needles, aquapuncture with saline, B12 or other medications, electroacupuncture or even laser over these various acupoints.

OUR Acupuncture TEAM

Both Dr. Caldwell and Dr. Molson are certified in acupuncture and would be happy to discuss how this treatment may benefit your horse.

Image of Tovah; One of our Acupuncture Team Members

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

    Tovah grew up the typical horse crazy little girl. Mucking stalls on weekends in exchange for riding lessons and spending weekends at horse shows.  This love for horses started early and eventually led her to the Atlantic Veterinary College where she graduated in 2009.   After graduation, Tovah completed an internship at Littleton Equine Medical Center and thereafter spent several years in equine practice in Southern Ontario working alongside Dr. Samantha Molson and Dr. Marisa Markey.   In 2022, she moved to Calgary for a teaching role at the University of Calgary School of Veterinary Medicine.  Realizing she desperately missed full time practice and missed her colleagues even more, Tovah returned to Ontario in 2025 to join forces with Dr. Molson and Dr. Markey to create Full Circle Equine Veterinary Services. 

    Tovah enjoys all aspects of equine practice and general care, but has a special interest in sport horse medicine, particularly lameness, performance issues, and understanding how spinal pain (back/neck) affects behaviour and performance.  She is certified in both veterinary spinal manipulation therapy and medical acupuncture, and uses these therapies to complement her medical treatment plans.  Tovah loves the variety that ambulatory practice provides and also enjoys dentistry, medical work ups, wellness and urgent care.  She thrives when working with horse owners to create unique treatment plans tailored to the individual goals of the horse and rider.

     Tovah cares deeply about creating a sustainable equine practice for veterinarians, technicians, support staff and clients.  She completed a Masters degree in Leadership at the University of Guelph in 2020, studying how mindfulness can support career longevity and wellbeing for equine veterinarians   This led her to become a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction facilitator which she offers to support the veterinary community.  She has a love for this profession and is so excited to be a part of Full Circle Equine. 

    When not working you can find Tovah enjoying the local hiking trails with her partner, taking in a hot yoga class, or working out at a ridiculously early hour. 

    • FEI Official Veterinarian Course - 2024

    • Equine Instructor at the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center - 2016 to Present

    • Vet PD Advanced Dental Extractions - 2024

    • Masters in Organizational Leadership - 2020

    • CuraCore Veterinary Medical Acupuncture - 2016

    • FEI Treating Veterinarian - 2015 - present

    • Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center - 2015

    • Numerous advanced diagnostic imaging courses 2010 - present

    • Littleton Equine Medical Center internship - 2009-2010

    • Atlantic Veterinary College 2005-2009

Sam Providing Acupuncture For Horse

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

    Sam grew up in Toronto and fell completely in love with horses during her first riding camp. From there she started weekly riding lessons and joined her local pony club where she developed a strong interest in caring for horses in addition to riding.  She competed her OTTB mare Madison in eventing and was fortunate to spend many years working as a groom for  hunter/jumper and dressage riders.  Sam always wanted to be a veterinarian and completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph followed by her veterinary degree at the Ontario Veterinary College,  graduating in 2015. Following graduation, Sam completed an internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in New Jersey where she was able to hone her skills in all aspects of equine practice. She then returned home to Ontario and joined a large ambulatory practice where she was able to further develop her interests in sports medicine and diagnostic imaging.    Sam also completed her certification in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute in 2022 and has greatly enjoyed incorporating this modality into her practice.  Sam is an FEI treating veterinarian and is completing courses with International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) to work towards certification. Her main practice interests include diagnostic imaging, lameness and poor performance evaluations but Sam truly enjoys all aspects of equine practice.  

    While not working, Dr. Sam enjoys hot yoga, hiking with her rescue dog Bille and trying new restaurants or cheering on the Ticats with her wife Jordan. She also hopes to return to eventing again one day!

    • ISELP Fetlock, Carpus, Metacarpus Module- 2024

    • Certification of Veterinary Acupuncture, Chi Institute- 2022

    • ISELP Stifle and Thigh Module- 2020

    • ISELP Pelvis Module- 2019

    • Mid Atlantic Equine Medical Center - 2015-2016

    • Ontario Veterinary College - 2011-2015