Veterinary Spinal Manipulation for Cats & Dogs in Crozet, VA

Movement plays an important role in your pet’s comfort and quality of life. At Animal Wellness Center, we offer veterinary spinal manipulation, as part of our integrative approach to supporting healthy mobility and overall well-being.

Our veterinary team considers your pet as a whole, combining conventional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies when appropriate. Each treatment plan is personalized according to your pet’s health, mobility, lifestyle, and individual needs.

Schedule Your pet's Spinal Manipulation Appointment

How Can Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Care Help Pets?

Located conveniently for pet owners in Crozet, Charlottesville, and surrounding communities

Changes in joint mobility can affect how a pet stands, walks, runs, plays, or performs everyday activities. Veterinary spinal manipulation and care may help support pets experiencing:

  • Neck or back discomfort
  • Joint stiffness or reduced flexibility
  • Changes in posture or gait
  • Difficulty getting up, climbing stairs, or jumping
  • Chronic or recurring mobility concerns
  • Age-related changes in movement
  • Musculoskeletal tension or restricted movement
  • Recovery from certain injuries or procedures
  • Changes in athletic performance
  • And more!

Spinal manipulation pet care may also be incorporated into a broader wellness or rehabilitation plan to help maintain mobility and support an active lifestyle. Because every pet is different, our veterinary team will determine whether spinal manipulation is appropriate based on a complete evaluation.

What to Expect During Your Pet’s Appointment

Before treatment, our veterinary team will review your pet’s medical history and evaluate their posture, gait, joint movement, and overall musculoskeletal health. This helps us identify areas of restricted motion and determine whether veterinary spinal manipulation may be beneficial.

During spinal manipulation, the veterinarian applies a gentle, controlled movement to a specific joint. Most pets tolerate treatment well, and the techniques are tailored to their size, condition, and comfort level.

The recommended number and frequency of visits will depend on your pet’s individual needs, condition, and response to treatment.

Following the initial evaluation and treatment, our veterinary team will determine an appropriate treatment plan moving forward. Spinal manipulation care may be recommended on its own or incorporated alongside other conventional, integrative, or rehabilitation services to provide a coordinated approach to your pet’s care.

Hilary Cook

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation with Dr. Hillary Cook

An Integrative Approach to Mobility and Comfort

Dr. Hillary Cook, DVM, CVA, CCRP, CVMMP, is certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation, Veterinary Acupuncture, and Canine Rehabilitation. Her experience in both conventional and integrative veterinary medicine allows her to assess each patient’s needs and recommend an appropriate, well-rounded approach to care.

At Animal Wellness Center, veterinary spinal manipulation and care is one part of our comprehensive approach to animal health. When appropriate, it may be combined with conventional medical care or complementary services. By bringing multiple treatment options together, we can create an individualized plan designed to support your pet’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

Why Choose ‘Animal Wellness Center’ for Veterinary Care?

Your choice of a pet care facility impacts your pet’s safety and recovery.
AWC provides unmatched integrative care in the Crozet area.

Proactive & Personalized

We don't just vaccinate; we partner with you to create a customized wellness roadmap for every stage of your pet's life.

Comprehensive In-House Diagnostics

Our full suite of diagnostic tools means faster, more accurate results without sending samples to outside labs.

Integrative Approach

We combine the best of Traditional Veterinary Services with Holistic Services to offer a full spectrum of preventative and therapeutic options.

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation FAQs

Is veterinary spinal manipulation safe?

Veterinary spinal manipulation uses precise, controlled techniques tailored to your pet’s anatomy, size, health, and comfort level. Before recommending treatment, our veterinary team evaluates your pet to determine whether spinal manipulation is appropriate for their individual needs.

Does veterinary spinal manipulation treatment hurt?

Most pets tolerate spinal manipulation well. The veterinarian applies a small, targeted movement to a specific joint rather than using excessive force. Your pet’s comfort and response are monitored throughout the appointment.appear

How do I know if my pet may benefit from spinal manipulation care?

Pets experiencing stiffness, changes in posture or gait, difficulty with everyday movements, or other mobility concerns may benefit from an evaluation. Veterinary spinal manipulation may also help support senior pets, active pets, and pets participating in a rehabilitation program. A veterinary assessment is necessary to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

How many spinal manipulation treatments will my pet need?

The recommended number and frequency of treatments vary according to your pet’s condition, mobility, lifestyle, and response to care. Following the initial evaluation and treatment, our veterinary team will determine an individualized treatment plan moving forward and adjust it as your pet’s needs change.

Can spinal manipulation care be combined with other veterinary treatments?

Yes. When appropriate, veterinary spinal manipulation care may be used alongside conventional medical treatment, acupuncture, canine rehabilitation, therapeutic laser treatment, and other supportive services. Our team will recommend a coordinated approach based on your pet’s overall health and individual needs.

See what other Pet owners say about us

- Nikki Duncan

My hedgehog was very sick and they were the only ones who would see him the next day. Dr. Raab and her assistant were so thorough and knowledgeable I felt very comfortable. They treated him so well and you could genuinely see their love for all animals. I can't thank them enough!

- KJ

Lovely clean pleasant facility, and everyone on the staff is friendly and helpful. Dr. Raab is wonderful and was great with our skittish bunny! There are very few small animal vets in the area, so we were grateful to find Dr. Raab.

- Barbara Tomlin

Dr. Raab is the only vet who is able to handle my African Gray parrot without causing her stress. She is gentle, kind, and patient. Autumn had her nails and beak trimmed and is a happy bird! I always recommend Animal Wellness Center to anyone looking for a vet.