Animal Chiropractic

Chiropractic care does not replace veterinary care, but it can be an excellent complement—especially for animals with musculoskeletal issues, subtle performance changes, or recurring stiffness.

Important: Animal chiropractic is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for regular veterinary exams, diagnosis, or emergency care. Dr. Monica is happy to collaborate with your veterinarian as part of a team approach to your animal’s health.

Animals Dr. Monica Commonly Works With

While each patient is unique, Dr. Monica frequently provides chiropractic care for:

Horses

From performance horses to pleasure and retired horses, chiropractic care can help support:

• Collection, bending, and lateral work

• Jumping, turning, and stopping

• Comfort under saddle and in harness

• Balance, coordination, and overall performance

Dogs

Family pets, sporting dogs, and working dogs may benefit from chiropractic care when they experience:

• Difficulty jumping into vehicles or onto furniture

• Reluctance to climb stairs or play

• Changes in gait, speed, or enthusiasm

• Stiffness after exercise or rest

Other Animals

If you have another species you feel may benefit from chiropractic care, please reach out. Dr. Monica is happy to discuss whether chiropractic is appropriate and how it might fit into your animal’s overall care plan.

Signs Your Animal May Benefit from Chiropractic Care

Animals can’t tell us when something feels “off,” but they often show us through their movement and behavior. You might notice:

For horses:

• Shortened stride or uneven gait

• Difficulty picking up or maintaining a lead

• Resistance to bending, collecting, or framing up

• Head tossing, tail swishing, or pinning ears under saddle

• Refusing jumps or balking at certain movements

• Difficulty with transitions or lateral work

For dogs:

• Reluctance to jump on or off furniture or into the car

• Stiffness when getting up from lying down

• Favoring one leg or limping (after vet evaluation)

• Decreased desire to play, run, or go on walks

• Changes in posture or a “hunched” appearance

While these signs may have many possible causes, chiropractic care can often help address the musculoskeletal component of what your animal is experiencing—especially when combined with appropriate veterinary care.

Dr. Monica’s Approach to Animal Care

Animal chiropractic is both an art and a science. Dr. Monica’s approach is:

• Gentle & respectful
  Every animal is handled with patience and care. Adjustments are specific, controlled, and tailored to the animal’s size, temperament, and condition.

• Movement-based & functional
  She looks at how your animal stands, moves, turns, and behaves—not just where they seem “sore.”

• Collaborative
  Chiropractic care blends beautifully with good veterinary care, proper nutrition, farrier work, training, and conditioning. Dr. Monica is happy to be part of a bigger team.

• Education-focused
  She’ll explain what she’s seeing, what she’s adjusting, and how it may relate to the changes you’ve noticed, so you feel confident in every step of the process.

What to Expect at an Animal Chiropractic Visit

1. History & Conversation

We begin by talking with you about your animal’s:

• Recent changes in movement, performance, or behavior

• Health history, injuries, or surgeries

• Current work, training, or activity level

• Your goals (comfort, performance, longevity, etc.)

2. Observation & Evaluation

Dr. Monica will:

• Observe your animal standing and moving (when possible)

• Gently palpate the spine and joints, feeling for areas of restriction or tension

• Assess posture, symmetry, and muscle tone

3. Gentle Adjustments

If chiropractic care is appropriate and safe at that time, Dr. Monica will perform gentle, specific adjustments to restore motion to restricted joints. These techniques are adapted to:

• The species (horse, dog, etc.)

• The animal’s size, age, and condition

• How the animal is responding during the visit

Most animals tolerate chiropractic very well, and many visibly relax during or after their adjustment.

4. Follow-Up & Recommendations

Before you leave, you’ll receive:

• A suggested follow-up schedule, if needed

• Simple after-care guidelines (such as light movement, turnout, or rest)

• Suggestions to support long-term musculoskeletal health

Supporting the Human–Animal Partnership

As both an equestrian and a chiropractor, Dr. Monica understands that when an animal is uncomfortable, it affects the entire partnership—whether that’s horse and rider, dog and handler, or pet and family.

Her mission is to:

• Help your animal move and feel better

• Support clearer, more responsive communication between you and your animal

• Enhance performance, comfort, and quality of life for the partnership as a whole