Short Answer: Animal chiropractic restores proper motion in the spine, ensuring effective communication between the brain and body. This helps relieve pain, improve performance, and support overall health and vitality.

Longer Answer: Chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free way to help animals move and feel their best by supporting the nervous system. Subluxations, also known as central segmental motor control problems, occur when joints in the spine or limbs lose proper motion. These issues can interfere with the nervous system's ability to send signals between the brain and body.

When this communication is disrupted, it can lead to:

· Pain that limits your animal’s comfort and mobility.

· Reduced performance in activities like running, jumping, or competing due to stiffness or weakness.

· Issues with important body functions, such as digestion, circulation, or immune response.

Chiropractic care uses gentle and precise adjustments to address these problem areas, helping restore healthy movement, improve communication within the nervous system, and support your animal’s overall well-being.

Not exactly a question, but I hear this all the time. First off, my muscles are not so little—I train daily to ensure I can handle the physical demands of my work. But chiropractic adjustments aren’t about brute strength—they’re about physics. Even though physics wasn’t my strongest subject, I know enough to understand F = MA (force equals mass times acceleration). By moving quickly, I can generate enough force to make the necessary changes in the spine, even with large animals like horses.

I love getting this “question” because these people often become my biggest cheerleaders once they see a horse adjusted. Fun fact: I’m hoping to adjust a giraffe or elephant this year to really prove the point. If you can help make that happen, please get in touch!

Yes, I adjust humans too! I firmly believe that when the whole family—including the animals—is aligned, life just gets better. That said, since there are so many amazing human chiropractors in the area but only a handful of animal chiropractors, I currently only see human patients whose animals are under my care.

Appointments for humans can be booked in Carleton Place or during barn visits (as long as there’s a warm space for the chiropractic table in winter!). If you’re curious about care for yourself, feel free to chat with me during your animal’s appointment. I’m happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions!

I’m not a believer in “paying for time.” Every animal is different, and their needs can change from visit to visit. I focus on giving your animal the care they need, not watching the clock. With that disclaimer covered, here are some general timeframes so that you can plan your day accordingly!

· Horse/Farm Animal

• Initial visit: 30–45 minutes

• Routine visit: 15–30 minutes

· Dog/Small Animal

• Initial visit: 15–30 minutes

• Routine visit: 5–15 minutes

Chiropractic adjustments don’t take long, but they do take repetition. It’s impossible to say how long the process will take without first assessing your animal. We learn the most about animals from how they respond to initial adjustment. Many animals experience positive changes after just one adjustment, which is wonderful! Depending on their condition, it may take 2-3 adjustments to see outward changes. Expect to schedule follow-up appointments, so we can evaluate their changes together and create the best plan for correcting their underlying problems.

Great question! I love massage therapy and often recommend them to my patients. However, I recommend starting with chiropractic care. Often, muscles are tight because they’re stabilizing an underlying structural issue. Chiropractic adjustments address the root cause, allowing massage to relax the muscles more effectively. My clients see better results with this sequence, and often need to see me less as a result!

No! If possible, avoid giving your animal any drugs before the visit. I prefer working with animals in their natural state, as medication can dampen their nervous system. Of course, there are exceptions, which we can discuss during our initial phone call. If your dog might react to pain, a muzzle can help keep everyone safe. I have muzzles available, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

I completely understand your concern and want to put your mind at ease! Keeping proper health records is not only a legal requirement but also essential for providing the best care. I use Jane, a trusted and secure software designed for health professionals. Jane is fully compliant with all regulations, ensuring your personal and payment details are kept private and protected.

With Jane, you can:

· Log in to see your case notes.

· Share information with your vet or other healthcare providers if needed.

· Make payments safely and easily.

I understand life happens, so please notify me as soon as possible if you need to reschedule for any reason. There will be no fee for appointments changed/cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. Appointment changes within 24 hours of our scheduled time impacts my ability to serve other animals, so you will be charged the full cost of the appointment including any applicable travel fees.

To reschedule:

• Dog/Small Animal Appointments: Use the Jane App.

• Mobile Appointments: Please text me directly.

This is a living document, and I update it as new questions come up. If you have a question, feel free to submit it here, and I’ll get back to you (and maybe add it to the FAQ!).