Dr. Samantha Amodeo – Animal Chiropractic

Many of Charles Boyk Law’s clients receive chiropractic treatments following an injury or accident, but did you know that some area animals have chiropractors? Meet Dr. Samantha Amodeo, Doctor of Chiropractic. Although “Dr. Sam” is licensed to treat humans, she is also a certified animal chiropractor.

“I was going through my human chiropractic school, to help people. But, I’ve always had a passion for animals,” she says. “I realized that we could perform chiropractic adjustments on animals as well. So, I started taking the classes and doing calls, and I realized that this was 100% more my passion.”

As her animal clients increased, the human side of her practice tapered off. “I have a way with animals,” she explains. “And I feel like I could treat them way better.”

“I am certified through the IVCA, the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association,” says Dr Amodeo. Membership to the IVCA is only granted to qualified veterinarians or chiropractors who complete approved veterinary chiropractic postgraduate training. “I have to do continuing education hours every three years, to keep up on my studies,” says Dr Sam, “and I have to continue my licensing for humans.”

In 2018, she became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee.

“After completing that training, I’m a licensed human chiropractor, animal chiropractor, and rehab specialist.”

“I work with both large animals and small animals. I work with small animals through the Perrysburg and West Toledo Animal Hospital locations, where I treat dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets. I’ve also done rehab on skunks and ducks.”

Dr Amodeo also treats horses and other large animals. “In the state of Ohio, to perform adjustments on large animals and small animals, you have to be certified through the IVCA or AVCA, (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association), so there’s only a few of us around in the area that can do that.”

“I treat large animals through my own small business called Equi-9 Chiropractic,” says Dr. Amodeo. “That includes horses, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, llamas, and other larger livestock in our area.”

“A dog may come in to see the veterinarian who is having difficulty jumping or their back is hunched,” she explains. “If they’re in pain when being picked up, the veterinarian may say, I think this animal needs an adjustment. They may also prescribe medications at the same time. So, we work hand in hand together.”

“I see a lot of agility animals that will come to get an adjustment right before a trial or a meet,” says Dr. Sam. “A lot of the tracking dogs and scent work dogs and stuff. They come to see me the weekend before a meet and I give them an adjustment… And then the other half of the spectrum is the dogs that are injured, the ones that are having trouble standing up… Sometimes we talk about rehab aspects and home exercises to do with them as well, along with the adjustment, or a little bit of massage and manual therapy as well.”

Dr. Samantha Amodeo believes “Any animal would benefit from a chiropractic adjustment, at some point in their life, for maintenance, preventative care or to treat an injury. Whether they’re a growing puppy or a geriatric, it’s essential to be able to deal with everyday life pain-free. I can make sure that their bones are in alignment to decrease inflammation and help them perform the best that they can.”

She often spends her weekends making farm calls and going to barns, to adjust seven to 10 horses per visit. Dr Amodeo treats all of her smaller animal patients, in the clinic at the animal hospital.

“If you are seeking out an animal chiropractor, for large animal or small animals,” says Dr. Amodeo. “Do your research. Talk to your veterinarian, talk to your friends, and make sure they are certified through the IVCA or AVCA. Use an actual professional and not somebody who’s just dabbling in a hobby or something like that.”

“There are three animal chiropractors working in the surrounding Northwest Ohio-Toledo area,” she says. “You have to be either a chiropractor or a veterinarian, but I am the only one who works in a vet clinic alongside veterinarians as well.”

Dr Amodeo says if someone wants to pursue chiropractic care for their small animals to contact Perrysburg Animal Hospital at www.perrysburganimalhospital.com/

Anyone interested in chiropractic treatments for their larger animals can reach her through her Equi-9 practice on Facebook and Instagram, or call her at 419-466-5084.