CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES
Chiropractic care for dogs and horses - what is it?
Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the nervous system — the brain, spinal cord, and the many nerves that connect to every part of the body. Since the nervous system controls how the body functions, keeping it working properly is key to overall health and performance.
In animals, especially horses and dogs, we look closely at the spine and how well the joints are moving. When the joints, particularly in the spine, aren’t moving as they should, it can affect the nearby nerves. These nerves control everything from muscles and movement to internal organs and immune function.
During a chiropractic exam, we check for areas of reduced motion between joints. When we find those spots, gentle adjustments can help restore normal movement, reduce nerve irritation, and support your animal’s overall health and well-being.
A Complement to Traditional Veterinary Care
Animal chiropractic is not an alternative to traditional veterinary medicine — it's a supportive, integrative approach that works best alongside other treatments. It’s not designed to fix broken bones or treat infections, but it can play an important role in helping your pet heal and stay healthy.
Chiropractic care can enhance recovery, improve mobility, and support the overall well-being of your horse or dog.
Dr. Llanes is always happy to work together with your regular veterinarian to make sure your animal is getting the most complete and effective care possible.
Certified, Trusted Care
Animal chiropractic should only be performed by a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) who has completed specialized training and certification. Approved programs, such as those recognized by the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC), qualify practitioners to become certified through professional organizations like the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) or the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA).
Dr. Llanes completed her training at Options for Animals in Wellsville, Kansas — one of the first and most respected animal chiropractic schools, established in 1988. The program includes 210 hours of in-person, hands-on training focused specifically on animal chiropractic care.
After finishing the program, Dr. Llanes became certified through the IVCA, and she continues to maintain this certification through regular continuing education. This ensures she stays current with the latest knowledge and techniques to provide the highest quality care for her patients.
Who Can Benefit from Animal Chiropractic?
Just about every animal! While chiropractic care is well-known for helping performance animals — like sled dogs or elite show jumpers — it's also incredibly beneficial for everyday companions. Whether it’s the family dog keeping up with the kids or a reliable trail horse navigating the woods, chiropractic care can help keep them feeling and moving their best.
But it’s not just about joints and movement. Because the nervous system plays a role in nearly every body function, chiropractic care has the potential to support overall health in a wide range of ways. It may be a helpful tool for animals dealing with:
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Organ dysfunction (heart, liver, kidney issues, etc.)
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Chronic ear or skin infections
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Digestive troubles
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Fecal or urinary incontinence
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Seizures or neurological conditions
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Reproductive concerns
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Recovery after surgery
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Pain related to conformation (angular limbs, sway back, navicular, etc.)
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Discomfort that hasn’t responded to other treatments
Chiropractic works best when it’s part of a team approach to your animal’s care. Dr. Llanes is happy to collaborate with your veterinarian to find the best path forward for your animal’s health and comfort.
Click on Gus to see a video example of what a canine chiropractic adjustment might look like.
I started seeing Dr. Llanes over a year ago for chiropractic care for my two active dogs. My older dog immediately took to the treatments. He's very expressive during treatment and shows that he's enjoying the adjustments. After a treatment, he's always calm and then noticeably spry for the next few days. As he ages and continues to be active, I've found it very beneficial to have frequent visits by Dr. Llanes to have an assessment of his physical state on a structural level. She's able to tell me where he's out of alignment or is holding muscular tension.
My other dog has benefitted in the same way, however it took him longer to get used to this type of handling. Not only have his chiropractic treatments helped him accept and enjoy the adjustments, but his willingness to be handled in other situations has improved as well.
Hearing Dr. Llanes' feedback about their bodies has allowed me to make changes to their conditioning and training to benefit physical longevity in our sports. She's given us so much supportive care, and after a period of knowing us, I feel she's provided even more specific care tailored to each of my dogs.
My initial impression of chiropractic care for dogs was that it would be hard to tell if it was beneficial, but it's been incredibly clear that my dogs appreciate this form of care.
I can't recommend IMV for chiropractic care enough.
- Sara, Rufus (pictured), Dicky, and Jack