Dr. Richard A. Mathes received his DVM degree from Oklahoma State University in 1991. After being in practice several years and experiencing frustration with the limitations of conventional medicine he began to pursue an interest in alternative healing techniques. Initially the IVAS course in Veterinary Acupuncture was completed in 1993 and then the chiropractic technique known as Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation was added. Soon after, course work in Chinese Herbs was finished to help deepen the understanding and implementation of  Traditional Chinese Medicine as it applies to animals.