08/13/2025
Advocate for your animals & do your own research! Having uneducated hands moving bones & muscles on your horses can be very costly! Someone that does massage is likely uneducated to do skeletal manipulations (chiro work). If someone claims they do body work and can do both, ASK for their proof of education! Your animals will thank you for having someone who has the proper education!
This is near and dear to my heart and I thought I would put it out there especially to those of you who are new to the animal chiropractic world.
There are people who claim to be “animal chiropractors.” They often describe it as
manipulating animals. Some use the term “animal chiropractor” in quotes or parentheses, because they aren’t actually trained or certified. This is a serious red flag.
Becoming an animal chiropractor requires years of education, training, and certification. Here’s a look at what’s involved:
• A Bachelor’s degree (typically in biology or a related field)
• A Doctorate in either Chiropractic (DC) or Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Passing all required board exams (for chiropractors: Parts I, II, III, IV, and Physiotherapy)
• Completion of an accredited 220hr animal chiropractic program
• Passing of the AVCA certification exam and/or IVCA certificate exam
• A current active DC or DVM license
• Ongoing continuing education for professional licensure, whether DC or DVM
• Ongoing continuing education to maintain animal chiropractic certification
As you can see, becoming an animal chiropractor takes years of commitment and rigorous training. Please do your own due diligence on who is not properly educated, licensed, or certified to perform chiropractic care on animals.
Are they licensed?
Are they certified?
Do they follow state laws?
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.