There are people out there who claim to be “animal chiropractors”…
Some say they manipulate 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
✅ Malpractice insurance, which those who are unlicensed can not obtain
✅ Compliance with your state’s laws (in Illinois, for example, a veterinarian must sign off on animal chiropractic care)
As you can see, becoming an animal chiropractor takes 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 of commitment and rigorous training.
👉 Please do not trust anyone who is not properly educated, licensed, and certified to perform chiropractic care on animals. It’s not just unethical, it can be dangerous.
💡 Always ask:
Are they licensed?
Are they certified?
Do they follow state laws?
🐕🦺 If you love your pets, protect them by choosing qualified professionals only.
If you’re not in our area, we still want your pets in good hands. Search for certified professionals near you here:
🔹 animalchiropractic.org (AVCA)
🔹 ivca.de (IVCA)
AVCA is the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and IVCA is International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. If a doctor completes their education passing their certification exam and maintains their required continuing ed, they will automatically be listed. Question those who are not. If they do have the qualifications, they should welcome you asking, just like Dr. Cat and I would.
04/03/2025
My “office hours” at the moment while I let some of my new chicken ladies stretch their legs. Technology is wonderful.
I am actually getting a lot done but I think I need to get a real chair to sit in versus this roosting bar/old cat tree laying on its side 🤣🤣
03/25/2025
I work on a lot of dogs too. Some of my sweet friends:
02/13/2025
I am reposting to share my WHY behind sharing and attending this FREE clinic.
About 1 year ago we saddled up to go on a trail ride. I chose to ride one of my young horses that had been off for a couple of months. Well, I got dumped/bucked off in the middle of the trail ride and she took off to head home.
She TRIED to give me clues that she was not prepared but I didn’t listen and didnt know
Now I have a FEAR and “trauma” associated with her and need help to work on recovering her and my trust together.
I opened up some PTSD for her that day!
I have fallen off but had been YEARS.
I have young CHILDREN to live for! I need help!
NOBODY In our horse Industry talks or teaches what to do other than “brush It off and get back on”
I look forward to Leanna Rae and Stall High to help us learn and acknowledge what this means to our bodies and our horses and how to go from TRAUMATIZED to COMEBACK
6pm central for only 30 minutes each day
Feb 17-21
Have you had a traumatic experience with your horse?? Join this FREE event. All deciplines welcome
5-Day Confidence Comeback Clinic – From Trauma to Triumph
01/17/2025
My next Florida trip is February 11-18.
Jennifer has been sending out messages through our scheduling app and through my work number.
If you have not seen her messages, please let us know so we can get you on the schedule. I appreciate everyone of you.
Pic of a llama I worked on recently here in Texas.
12/24/2024
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Enjoy time with your family and loved ones!
I am away with family until January 6th.
11/27/2024
Bemer Black Friday Deal until Dec 6th!!!
Horse Set is $5390 (reg $6578)
Check out my shop!!! Can ship anywhere in USA!!
This is why it is so important to use a skilled professional that consistently expands their DOCTOR knowledge yearly to learn new skills.
There are numerous non-doctors and doctors that do more harm by FORCING the adjustment if the animal is on guard or amoured.
10/13/2024
Next trip planned for January 2025.
Thoughts and prayers for all my Florida clients and the great linemen/linewomen plus volunteers to get everyone back to as much normalcy as possible and find loved ones who are lost. Some clients have severe damages.
I have chosen to delay my Florida trip until January so people can recover and get through the holidays.
Also, my family is working on getting to North Carolina or Florida because they need extra veterinarians and volunteers to help with the search and rescue recovery.
Pray for the logistics to fall in place so we can help those in need.
Garden of the gods picture so my post doesn’t fail Facebooks weird algorithms
10/08/2024
Ever wondered how our anatomy compares to a horse’s? 🧐 Check out this colorful schematic of a human foot and a horse’s hind limb! Did you know that our heel is actually the equivalent of the point of the hock in a horse? 🦶➡️🐴
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Hello everyone, I am Dr. Lillie DeSimone (Dr. Lillie). I grew up on a small farm in North Alabama with an assortment of furry creatures. Growing up on this farm fostered my love of animals and riding horses. While not currently residing on a farm, I do have two horses and use any free time I have to compete in barrel races and team roping events.
My desire to provide chiropractic care to animals started after I had a riding injury in 2003 while at a Goat Tying clinic (I couldn’t run fast enough when I jumped off my horse and fell suffering a head injury). This injury introduced me to the world of chiropractic care through my human chiropractor. Following the injury, normal therapies could not control my pain. Originally, I thought chiropractic was voodoo and was very hesitant to try it, but decided to try it as a “last resort”. To my surprise the chiropractor was amazing and after a few adjustments the pain was gone and felt better than I did before the accident. I decided at that moment that I wanted to offer that same type of relief, hope and quality of life to my patients. So after Veterinary School I pursued Chiropractic training and received my certification. Throughout my career I have practiced in West Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. I am currently hold license in Alabama and Florida.
How I became certified in animal chiropractic
To become certified in animal chiropractic you must first be either a veterinarian or a human chiropractor. Second you must attend an animal chiropractor training course. Some select states require you to have an extra certification through a national association such as AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association) or IVCA (International Veterinary Chiropractic Association). My dream has always been to be a veterinarian since very young in life, so that is what I did! I earned my bachelor’s degree in Pre-Vet in 2006, Master’s degree in Meat Science in 2008 and then my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 from Auburn University. In 2016 I finalized my certification in veterinary acupuncture through Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Reddick, Florida. In August 2017, I received my Certification in Animal Chiropractic from Parker University; then in September 2017 I passed the “horrid” exams to become AVCA Certified. This proved to be the second hardest exam of my life next to my national veterinary boards.
Birth of Equine Realign PLLC
The “birth” of Equine Realign PLLC began in the summer of 2017 while at Parker University in Dallas, Texas. My plan was to perform equine chiropractic on my “off” days from the small animal clinic. After a short brainstorming session, I came up with the name and wanted to snag while it was still available. Once the name was secured and the plan was put into action I began seeing my first clients. Equine Realign PLLC has been an amazing experience and continues to build one day at a time. We offer equine chiropractic and acupuncture services to Brevard and surrounding counties in Central Florida.
What makes a certified person different from others?
Training, state laws/regulations and accountability. Many are not aware that to perform chiropractic adjustments on animals other than your own personal animal you must meet at least one of two criteria; One-be a licensed veterinarian, preferably animal chiropractic certified. Or two-be a licensed doctor of chiropractor that is certified in animal chiropractic with a referral from a veterinarian. If someone does not meet either of these criteria, that person is consider, by law, to be illegally practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Chiropractic certified veterinarians and human chiropractors have spent numerous years of furthering their education, experience and expertise to provide these services to our pets. Additionally, licensed professionals also carry insurance and ways to help your pet medically if there are any unintentional issues or events that are a result of the therapy. Lastly, veterinarians and chiropractors must participate in continuing education courses to maintain their respective certification and licenses and submit documentation to the state for accountability.
As alternative therapies become more accepted as a standard of care for medical treatments the laws governing them will continue to evolve as well. No matter who or what services you use it is critical that YOU know what your state laws are regarding chiropractic services. Make sure you know what training and certifications your chiropractor has and what would happen if your animal was hurt unintentionally.
The end goal should always be for the owner and veterinarian/chiropractor to SAFELY provide the highest level of quality care to every animal!
