Introductory Veterinary Homeopathy Course: Required & Recommended Reading

Required Reading Before the First Class: (Both of these book are VERY quick and easy reads)
Timothy Dooley, MD (Contemporary, U.S.). Beyond Flat Earth Medicine. A contemporary personal introduction to homeopathy. Can be purchased as a printed book, or a free PDF download is available here. 

Chapters 1-7 Required Reading Prior to First Class: Wendy Jensen, DVM (1961 – , Contemporary, U.S.). The Practical Handbook of Veterinary Homeopathy: Healing Our Companion Animals from the Inside Out. A detailed discussion, including numerous case studies, of the intake consultation, case analysis, case management, and second prescription, written for the veterinarian new to homeopathy.

Optional Reading Before the First Class:
George Vithoulkas (1932—, Greek). Science of Homeopathy. A modern text that describes the thinking behind homeopathy. An invaluable introduction by one of the most prominent contemporary homeopaths.

These books are essential reading and are required to complete your homework assignments. This is an abbreviated list from the Professional Master Course.

William Boericke, MD (1849—1929, U.S.). A Compend of the Principles of Homeopathy. A clear summary of homeopathic principles and practice with discussion of the chronic diseases and Hahnemann’s posology.

Cyrus M. Boger, MD (1861—1935, U.S.):

Boenninghausen’s Characteristics & Repertory with WordIndex. An excellent repertory, especially for veterinarians to use. Emphasizes the physical expression of disease and utilizes the Boenninghausen method of case analysis. Works well with Kent’s Repertory.

Synoptic Key to the Materia Medica. A materia medica and repertory. The genius in this work is the succinct description of symptoms using a minimum of words. Excellent for acute prescribing.

Stuart Close, MD (1860—1929, U.S.). Taught at New York Homeopathic Medical College. The Genius of Homeopathy—Lectures and Essays on Homeopathic Philosophy. An excellent presentation of philosophy and principles.

James Tyler Kent, MD (1849—1916, U.S.):

Repertory of Homeopathic Materia Medica. A repertory constructed with a different perspective than Boenninghausen’s. Emphasis on mental & general symptoms. Complementary to the repertory listed above.

Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy, with Classroom Notes and Word Index (7th Ed.). Understanding the principles of homeopathy from one of the great practitioners and teachers.

Robin Murphy, ND (1950—2021, U.S.). Nature’s Materia Medica (3^rd or 4^th Ed.) A well-organized materia medica written in modern English with a pleasing visual layout, that combines the writings of Allen, Anshutz, Boericke, Burnett, Clarke, Cooper, Hale, Hahnemann, Hering, Julian, Paracelsus, Phatak and Radamacher as the major resources of this text. Excellent first reference point materia medica, especially for new homeopaths. 

Jay Yasgur, PRh, MSc (Contemporary, U.S). Yasgur’s Homeopathic Dictionary and Holistic Health Reference. A dictionary that describes the meaning of the older medical terminology found in the homeopathic material medica and repertory.

These books are suggested to complement or expand your course studies if desired. This is an abbreviated book list from the Professional Master Course – see the Professional Master Course Booklist for full further study options. Many of these book are contained within the homeopathic software programs. 

Harvey Farrington, MD (1872–1957, U.S.). Homeopathy & Homeopathic Prescribing. An excellent introduction to the study of materia medica. Succinct presentations of the remedies as well as lessons in the practice of homeopathy

Samuel Hahnemann, MD (1745—1853, German). Organon of the Medical Art. Edited and annotated by Wenda Brewster O’Reilly, Ph.D.  Most contemporary translation of the last edition of the basic instruction book for the practice of homeopathy by its founder.

Nicola Henriques, LicLCCH, Cert.Hom. Ed., MBRCP (1946—, Contemporary, British). Release the Vital Force: The Exact Science and Art of the Homeopathic Patient Examination. Provides a cohesive overview to the homeopathic interview and examination process guiding to the initial prescription. Emphasizing the teachings of Hahnemann, Henriques encourages the reader to examine the true goals and art of the homeopathic intake. Highly recommended.

Constantine Hering, MD (1800—1880, U.S.). Guiding Symptoms to our Materia Medica. A multi-volume (5 or 10 depending on the publisher) set of materia medica and the most complete available. Dr. Pitcairn and many of the faculty use it the most — a must have for a serious homeopath. 

Wendy Jensen, DVM (1961— , Contemporary, U.S.). Organon Reflections. Unique reflections on the Organon which bring Hahnemann’s aphorisms to life, through painting a vivid portrait of a patient’s curative healing process and the homeopathic practitioner’s experience. This is an absolute must read for any homeopath, regardless of experience, to further elucidate the bounty that the Organon offers and to bring clarity to one’s homeopathic clinical practice.

James Tyler Kent, MD (1849—1916, U.S.):

Kent’s Minor Writings on Homeopathy. Articles on theory & clinical application. More than any after Hahnemann, Kent advanced the understanding of homeopathy to a higher level. His books are invaluable.

Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica with New Remedies. A materia medica with clinical orientation. Excellent presentation of the medicines from his lectures to medical students.

Materia Medica of Homeopathic Remedies with sub-headings and cross-reference by Henny Solberg Haugen.  This is the same text as Kent’s Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica, but with subheadings and cross references. Thus, is visually laid out so that it can be easily referenced like most materia medicas.

R. G. Miller, MD (1862—1919, Scottish). Relationship of Remedies and Sides of the Body. Gives very useful guide-lines to remedy relationships. Other books may have his chart—often Kent’s repertory includes it at the back of his book.

Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD (1941—, U.S.) & Wendy Jensen, DVM (1961— , Contemporary, U.S.). New World Veterinary Repertory. A modern homeopathic repertory adapted for animal patients, based on Boger-Boenninghausen’s Repertory, with valuable additions from Kent and many others.

Herbert Roberts, MD (1868–1950, U.S.). The Principles and Art of Cure by Homeopathy. A contemporary of Farrington, Robert’s provides a complementary resource of philosophy and principles to Stuart Close’s The Genus of Homeopathy written in “modern day” language.

Adolph Von Lippe, MD (1812—1888, U.S.). Key Notes and Red Line Symptoms of the Materia Medica. Larger than Allen’s “Keynotes” but an easier presentation and shows grading of symptoms.

All of the following suppliers have offered to supply PIVH students with the following discounts on books. Just mention that you are currently a student at the PIVH to receive your discount when you place your order. 

Homeopathic Educational Services: Contact Dana Ullman. Educational material, from books to DVDs, and a homeopathic supplier. 10% discount for the course depending on the books ordered. Phone: 1-800-359–9051, 510-649–0294, Email: email@homeopathic.com, Website: http://www.homeopathic.com/stores

Emryss Publishing & Distribution (Previously Nature-Reveals/Minimum Price Homeopathic Books): Contact Olivier Bakker. Large online homeopathic book supplier. 15% discount on books during the course. When purchasing online, use the discount code of “PIVH” to receive your discount. Email: info@emryss.com, Website: https://www.emryss.com/

During the program, students will learn how to create a homeopathic case analysis by hand as part of the homeopathic case-work up process (along with materia medica study, etc.) to determine the most suitable prescription for a case. If a student is serious about learning this modality, then we strongly recommend purchasing a homeopathic software program which can allow multiple case analyses to be created within minutes and is vital to meet the demands of our busy clinical practices. These software packages not only facilitate case analysis, but also offer the ability to explore different homeopathic repertories, as well as have access to a extensive homeopathic library of materia medicas, various books, historical journals, etc., all on one’s computer.

The PIVH works closely with three well-established, highly reputable companies to provide our students with FREE TRAILS at the start of the program, and then negotiate a PIVH-tailored significant discount package for purchase. Each of the three companies include the required repertories we will use in class, including the New World Veterinary Repertory, but offer slightly different specifications and price points (including single purchase, payment plans, and Complete Dynamics offers an extreme low monthly rental fee). It’s up to the individual student to decide what fits their technical and financial needs the best.

The homeopathic software companies we have partnered with are:

• RadarOpus
• Synergy
• Complete Dynamics

We will offer live demonstrations and discuss in class in greater detail, along with reviewing the student discount packages specific to that course year. We recommend that if you don’t already have a homeopathic program, to wait on purchasing one till you have access to the PIVH discount packages as they will provide significant savings.