Man’s Best Friend

It’s officially the time of year when everyone- even our pets seem to be more active. We all seem to be walking more, hiking, water skiing, gardening, painting, and catching up on other outdoor projects. Our dogs are most likely playing more fetch, going on long walks, or jumping in the boat or ATV to go for an evening cruise. 

As our dogs age we may notice that just like us, some of these activities may be slowing down. Our doggo may not bring us back their ball as many times, our walks may be cut a little shorter, and we may have to help them into the ATV or boat since their jump is a little shorter. Oftentimes the veterinarian may recommend different supplements to support their joints and decrease pain. They may even prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or injections. And the vet may also recommend canine chiropractic care. 

In our office we see dogs on a daily basis. Some come in for wellness care, some come in to increase their agility performance, and some come in for pain management or mobility issues to help senior pets with their quality of life. It’s amazing how quickly dogs respond to chiropractic care. Many owners report that their dog is able to go up and down the stairs easier or jump up onto their spot on the couch or ATV after their chiropractic adjustments. The best part is, canine chiropractic adjustments are very gentle and don’t have negative side effects. By delivering a chiropractic adjustment the chiropractor can restore motion to a joint that is restricted. This can decrease inflammation and pain in that area leading to a happier, healthier dog. 

I personally graduated from the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Sturtevant, WI. They are the only certified post graduate animal chiropractic program in the United States. As a certified professional, you can add CVSMT after your DC (doctor of chiropractic) initials. This means that a professional is Certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy. There are certified practitioners (either chiropractors or veterinarians) in 45 of the 50 states. In order to find a certified animal chiropractor near you, head to the Healing Oasis website, click on the Graduates/Alumni tab and click on VSMT Professionals. This list was recently updated in June.