What Our Students Say

Options for animals was the single best thing that I did for my career. The certification allowed me to place myself in a career that is perfect for me. The topics were taught by both expert chiropractors and veterinarians. The professors were interesting and thought provoking. Each class was structured so that they balanced the amount of class vs. hands on time with the animals. The classes were spaced apart monthly so that there was time in between to study, practice and absorb all that was taught during the intensive week. I find it amazing that our group of chiropractors and veterinarians meshed so well together, both socially and professionally, each side adding to the experience. I went into practice feeling extremely confident in my education. Afterward, any questions that I had were answered and the entire experience was so positive and encouraging. Currently, I have an up and coming equine only practice. We had such a great time and I can't wait to go back for the continued education classes to learn more.

Dr. Beth Bowman D.C. IVCA
Western Massachusetts

Hi Robbie,

I want to thank you, Heidi, Dennis, and everyone else for the amazing week at Options. It was more than I had anticipated! The facility, the course materials, the instructors, the food....it was all fantastic and I look forward to getting back there.

I checked 2 horses, and 2 not-so-barn barn cats yesterday....great. I am inspired to say the least!

Claudia Cottrell, D.C.

I have been practicing veterinary chiropractic for about the past two years after taking the Options for Animals basic course. Since finishing the course, I have successfully treated many who either did not respond to, our could not tolerate conventional medical treatment. I am currently treating an Airdale Terrier who needed emergency surgery following a perforated gastric ulcer caused by NSAID use. The dog has severe hip dysplasia and arthritis. He did not respond well to acupuncture and cannot tolerate herbs or most Western meds without severe GI upset. Since beginning chiropractic, the owner reports the dog is acting like a puppy again! As an added bonus, his urinary incontinence has resolved. The owner could not be happier.

Gary Richter DVM

Recently I completed the Options for Animals basic course and it was everything I had hoped for. The instructors were very Knowledgeable and passionate about chiropractic care and were able teach me a new way to examine and treat my animal patients that I did not get in Veterinary school. The facilities were ideal for this type of program and the instructors were always available and willing to give their time when something wasn't clear. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn another skill to help our animal patients be more comfortable and perform at their best. My experience was very positive and anyone who puts the effort in this course should also get great results.

Hunter Hodges, DVM

1. The course was great, I didn't know what to expect, and the results have far exceeded my expectations! Chiropractic has enabled me to cut my traditional practice from a full time mixed animal practice to 3 days a week in the small animal part, which leaves me 2 days a week and the weekends, if I want to, to do chiropractic on horses.

2. Even in the small animal clinic I watch the animals move around and question the owners about behavioral issues that might be related to pain. Sometimes chiropractic is exactly the treatment that the animal needs!

Ike Nelson DVM

I can think of quite a few cases that stand out in which animal chiropractic made a profound difference. (Primarily because I see these people and their animals regularly and know that I am not getting an inflated view of things)

One case is a horse that belongs to one of the owners of the practice. As a yearling a stallion grabbed her by the neck and shook her and that caused some obvious muscle damage to the cervical musculature. Later, it became apparent there had been damage to the spinal column as well. By the age of 16 she could not put her head down to eat and she was fed in an elevated position. After 4 adjustments she was able to get her head all the way to the ground and could graze again. That was about 18 months ago and I have adjusted her twice since then and so far she has not had a setback.

One of our technicians has a 9 year old male Boxer that by the time he was 5 he was having some incontinence issues and by the age of 6 was on 150 mg of Proin (phenylpropanolamine). He was one of my "practice patients" while I was taking the course, and we continued with him after I became certified. By the time I was certified he was no longer having any incontinence problems and we had started weaning down his medication dose. By the time I had been working on him for 7 months we had stopped the medication and for the last 30 months he has been fine with no incontinence problems.

One of our kennel assistants/tech assistants, who went on to complete veterinary school and go to a practice in Atlanta, had her mother bring in her dog. Jack was 6 years old when we first saw him. He is a neutered male Shepherd cross and had a fairly large lick granuloma on his left fore. I adjusted Jack once a month for the first 4 times and then we stretched out the intervals. The lick granuloma had disappeared by the third adjustment and has not returned. I now see Jack about every 8-10 weeks.

The last case is my own pony whom I started on while in the course. We had not seen Macaroni lay down to sleep in over 5 years and he also had bilateral stringhalt. By the third session of the course my wife found him lying in the pasture asleep and by the time I finished the course the stringhalt was gone. Mac has continued to do well and I adjust him about every 2-4 months. By the way, he is 45 this year, is totally deaf and blind in the left eye and has limited vision in the right. Sadly, chiropractic has not made much difference in those things however, we are happy for the other things that animal chiropractic did help for Macaroni!

Troy J.(Ike) Nelson, DVM

I have a very wonderful and fulfilling animal chiropractic practice, after taking the basic animal chiropractic course at Options for Animals. It was great training and I learned the skills needed for effective results with the animals. People are excited to bring their animals in and the Vets are happy to refer for the care. Here are two recent cases.

I have been working with Duchess a 12 year old golden lab who is a retired service dog that is 12 years old. Duchess's owner brought her in because she was dragging her right rear leg when they would walk and could not jump into the car. After two treatments Duchess is walking with a little skip again and shows no hesitation loading into the car.

Louise a 10 year old schnauzer was in a automobile accident and developed anxiety. The Veterinarian who examined her, gave her medication and referred her over for Chiropractic care. Within a few visits Louise was able stop her anti anxiety medication and returned to normal. The owners were elated exclaiming "We have our dog back!"

Jai Tomlin D.C.

I found the Options for Animals Basic Chiropractic Course to be an outstanding education in the principles and techniques of animal chiropractic. It provided me with an in-depth review of skeletal and neuroanatomy and opened my eyes to the possibilities available through chiropractic care. The program at Options for Animals provided the right mix of classroom lecture time and hands-on practical training. Upon completion of the program, I felt very well prepared both for the IVCA board exam and to add chiropractic care to my veterinary practice. In addition, I have found the Options for Animals staff to be extremely supportive and helpful since my completion of the course. I would highly recommend this course to anyone considering training in animal chiropractic.

Jenny E. Johnson, V.M.D.
Oakhill Shockwave and Veterinary Chiropractic

So why are you here, reading this? Either something is missing in your tool bag, in your mind/heart or your practice is sending you to chiropractic training against your better judgment (or possibly against your will…). There is a commonality amongst those that do animal chiropractic, no matter how they got there, and that is the miracle story(s). The stories keep coming, there is never just one.

My first one involved a neurologic Lab with a syrnix at T11-T12 (diagnosed on MRI). He was unable to walk without hind end support. He had had a few acupuncture sessions and they seemed to help a bit. Expectations were low on the owner’s behalf and I had no expectation of any sort. There was one really good audible in the upper thoracic during the session and I think my heart stopped at that moment we all heard it (rookie reaction). Everything was moving again and the dog left assisted by the owner. The dog returned three hours later for his regular appointment with the regular vet. The dog walked in on his own steam without assistance. It wasn’t pretty, but it was all his own.

Vets are particularly prone to the “I wouldn’t have seen it if I hadn’t already believed it” phenomenon, it’s how we are trained. It is measurable therefore real. Chiropractic is an odd pill to swallow for those who have never had any work done on themselves. Chiropractic is, inherently, energy work. Even if you use it strictly as a mechanical tool, you will move energy in a patient. Moving energy changes everything. I already knew chiropractic would change my practice when I started the basic course, but it changed my whole professional direction (which I did not expect). It changed my classmates who were old-school skeptics, certain they were wasting their time. Chiropractic will open your mind and change your perspective, if you let it.

Jen Davis, D.V.M.

Keep cranking out Animal Chiropractors!! I think Chiropractic was made for animals! Especially horses...Done some great work, Too much to tell! Ok, one short one, Horse and rider I worked on just took Grand nationals team roping!!! Word got out and my phone is blowing up! Seeing dogs at a local clinic, these vets encouraged me to come to Options, Dogs are taking off as well. My sister in law is just about ready to come your way, She is Equine internal Med. and Sooo happy with chiropractic on her horse, she is on the line! My brother and sister are both vets too, they are getting a bit more curious. Thanks for everything, I love my new path, and have a great new passion!

Dr. Matthew Stammerjohan DC