ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC has been around since at least 1906. Even though Palmer Chiropractic College is hesitant to recognize the fact that both DD and BJ adjusted animals it is well known. In 1906 DD published an article in a Poultry Producers Magazine explaining how subluxations led to dis-ease in chickens. In 1938 it was explained how the removal of animals from the curriculum was because Chiropractors did not want to be called horse doctors.
However, Animal Chiropractic is here to stay and may soon be the new pediatric aspect of family practices. The number of people choosing to delay or refrain from having children in favor of owning a dog varies significantly by age and location. Nationwide, 67% of people aged 18 to 26 say they are choosing pets over parenthood, at least for now. This percentage drops to 43% for ages 27 to 42 and to 28% for ages 43 to 58. On the other end of the spectrum 55 percent of adults aged 50 to 80 have a pet, according to the findings — and more than half of those have multiple pets. More than three-quarters of pet owners say their animals reduce their stress, and nearly as many say pets give them a sense of purpose. In talking to current Animal Chiropractors about 25% of people that bring an animal to them begin care for their own spine within 3 to 6 months.
“Both the chiropractic profession and the veterinary profession are fairly certain that they are the only ones that should be adjusting animals.”
In the current Animal Chiropractic landscape there are 5 groups of people adjusting animals. Lay people with little or no training and absolutely no idea of what the adjustment does and how to correctly administer it. We have veterinarians that have watched someone adjust or have attended a weekend seminar and have been trying to move bones but have no idea what a chiropractic philosophy is. There are chiropractors who are adjusting animals based on their chiropractic philosophy but are very unspecific in their adjustment as they do not understand the anatomical differences in species and how the laws of nature are applied differently in each species. Horizontal vs. vertical spine. That leaves chiropractors and veterinarians that have been trained to adjust animals. Their training is a minimum of 210 hours and sitting for a certification examination that is administered once a year.
Both the chiropractic profession and the veterinary profession are fairly certain that they are the only ones that should be adjusting animals. In the late 80’s Dr. Sharon Willoughby DVM graduated from Palmer to become both a DVM and DC. She was licensed as a DVM in Illinois and a DC in Iowa and both states arrested her for practicing without a license. This enviromnent is changing; however, some states require direct supervision, and a few states still only allow veterinarians to work on animals. Many chiropractic boards have taken the stance that “animal” chiropractic does not exist as chiropractic can only be done on a human spine. Veterinarians are afraid that chiropractors have no knowledge in the anatomy of animals. Like the medical profession they are very unwilling to refer to chiropractors. A few states still say that Animal Chiropractic is totally illegal. New Hampshire recently passed legislation requiring advanced certification for both veterinarians and chiropractors. This change is remarkable as true Animal Chiropractic can help the planet, the animals, and the profession of Chiropractic. Chiropractically adjusted animals perform better in their chosen activity, ranging from Olympic level competition to being the best companion and couch potato in history. Current research shows that chiropractically adjusted animals gain weight faster and need fewer drugs and vaccinations. Chiropractically adjusted meat is also preferred by 72% of the people in double blind taste tests.
There are numerous “lay” people throughout the country popping animal bones and calling it chiropractic. There are also many non-certified chiropractors treating non-human patients as well as many veterinarians adjusting without the knowledge of what an adjustment does. This is damaging to the chiropractic profession since other trained animal professionals will often hear statements or see actions that are not in alignment with solid chiropractic philosophy.
Animal Chiropractic needs the animal owning public to understand what true Animal Chiropractic is. This education is ongoing, but the organizations promoting Animal Chiropractic are small. The International Chiropractic Association is a well-known Chiropractic Organization that believes in promoting true chiropractic, not just cracking bones to alleviate back pain. They are working on an diplomate program in Animal Chiropractic, and have formed a Council of Animal Chiropractic to help establish that Animal Chiropractic education is a critical part in the adjusting of non-human patients. Get started assisting a larger portion of your local population by starting your animal chiropractic education today. Check it out at ICACouncilofAnimalChiropractic.
Dr. Bill Ormston (Dr. O) added Animal Chiropractic to his repertoire in 1998. In 2003 his practice went to 100% chiropractic. He co-founded Animal Chiropractic Education Source in 2013 with Dr. Amy Hayek. He and Dr. Amy practice at All Creatures Every Spine in Meridian, Tx. Visit him at YesChiro.com.
