You may be wondering how an animal could benefit from chiropractic care. Just as people need to have healthy spines, animals need to as well! Dr. Thacker grew up riding horses as well as bulls for a big part of his life. While he got away from riding for a time, his children now love to ride horses. In his past Dr. Thacker was an avid dog handler finishing multiple dogs with their AKC champion status. That’s when he decided to make animal chiropractic part of his practice.
Dr. Thacker attended Parker University in Dallas, Texas completing his Certified Animal Chiropractic (CAC) certification. He has achieved the highest honor and certification as an animal chiropractor through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).
A Focus on Large Animals
While we will take care of most any animal when they need help, our focus is on large animals such as horses and cattle. Dr. Thacker will travel to you to treat your animals whether at your farm, stables, or at a show.
Primary Benefits of Animal Chiropractic
The main reason why Dr. Thacker adjusts an animal is to allow the body’s natural, innate intelligence to restore balance and homeostasis. By correcting the misalignment or subluxation it will allow the brain body connection to function at its optimum. Providing your animal with chiropractic care biomechanically addresses many issues, such as: repetitive stress, joint subluxations, laminitis, arthritis, muscle and ligament tears, inflammation, lameness issues and others. Chiropractic animal care works in tandem with you and your vet to keep your animal in optimal health and performance. Chiropractic care is not a replacement for sound advice and treatment from your veterinarian.
What Does the Process Involve?
Dr. Thacker will evaluate your animal through hands-on palpation to determine what the problem is. He also will observe your animal moving. Since animals are not capable of telling us verbally what their issues are, it is up to us as owners/caregivers to spot those oftentimes subtle signs and behaviors.
- Has your horse’s attitude changed recently? For example, is your horse less social or more aggressive?
- Is your animal’s performance “off”?
- Are you dealing with intermittent lameness?
- Do you have back issues that affect your own balance or how you sit in the saddle which could be affecting your horse?
- Have you noticed uneven hoof wear?
- Is your horse resistant to having its feet cleaned, lifting its legs, or taking the bit?
- Does your horse drop food more than normal?
- Does your horse move freely in all directions without obvious tension?
- Can your horse freely turn its head and take leads?
One, any, or all these things, in any degree, can be a sign that chiropractic care may benefit your animal. If it’s a chiropractic problem, then he will perform an adjustment using his hands. “It’s similar to what we do at the practice adjusting a human,” he said.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
To book an appointment, contact our office. Let the front desk know what the problem is, and that you’d like Dr. Thacker to evaluate your animal. Then we’ll set a time that’s convenient for you.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
To book an appointment, contact our office. Let the front desk know what the problem is, and that you’d like Dr. Thacker to evaluate your animal. Then we’ll set a time that’s convenient for you.