Animal Chiropractor
in Phoenix
Gentle, drug-free chiropractic care for pets, horses, livestock and performance animals. Helping animals move more comfortably, maintain mobility and enjoy a better quality of life.
Animal Chiropractic for Pets, Horses & Livestock
Based in Phoenix, Dr. Chris Campo provides chiropractic care for animals of all shapes and sizes, from aging family pets and active dogs to performance horses, livestock and ranch animals. Smaller animals can be seen at the clinic, while Dr. Campo travels throughout Arizona to care for horses and larger animals at farms and ranches.
A 6th-generation Arizonan, Dr. Chris grew up riding alongside his grandfather and learning the cowboy way of life. Horses were part of his weekends and helped shape his respect for animals, Arizona's western traditions and the special bond people develop with the animals in their lives.
Dr. Chris' Lifelong Bond with Animals
Dr. Chris' interest in animal chiropractic became deeply personal when he and his wife were starting their growing family. Their Anatolian Shepherd developed serious hip problems at just four years old and was facing the possibility of having both hips replaced.
With the significant cost and recovery involved in surgery, Dr. Chris began looking for additional ways to help their dog. Having experienced a severe injury himself, he already understood how combining different therapies could improve mobility, reduce discomfort and help the body function better. That experience led him to seek out an animal chiropractor for their dog.
The improvement they saw was significant. Their Anatolian Shepherd regained mobility and remained a happy part of their growing family until the age of nine, about two years beyond the breed's average lifespan.
That experience ultimately inspired Dr. Chris to pursue advanced training in animal chiropractic, where he learned techniques for treating horses, livestock, dogs, cats and animals of many different sizes. Today, he brings that same personal understanding to the animals and families he cares for across Arizona.
His connection to Arizona's western heritage also continues through his involvement with the Scottsdale Charros, a community organization supporting youth, education and western traditions. The organization cares for its own horses, which participate in local events and community traditions, keeping Dr. Chris connected to the cowboy roots he grew up with.
For Dr. Chris, animal chiropractic is about more than improving movement. It's about helping animals stay comfortable, active and connected to the families who love them.
How can chiropractic help animals?
Animal chiropractic care offers a natural path to healing and wellness for your beloved companions. Here are some key reasons pet, horse and animal owners turn to us for chiropractic services:
Relieves Pain & Restores Mobility
Chiropractic adjustments can improve your animal's gait and reduce pain, often immediately after an adjustment. By correcting subtle joint misalignments, we alleviate pressure on nerves and muscles, helping stiff pets move more comfortably again. Pet parents frequently report seeing their pets become more active and playful with increased stamina.
Boost Performance
For athletic animals like agility dogs, barrel racing horses or working ranch horses, regular adjustments can enhance flexibility, stride length, and overall performance. Horses often compensate for minor injuries or overuse, leading to restricted joints that inhibit movement. Chiropractic care relieves those "kinks" restoring freedom of movement and allowing these athletes to perform at their peak without discomfort.
Aids Senior Pets & Injury Recovery
Geriatric pets benefit from adjustments as older dogs and cats can seem less stiff and more comfortable after treatment. Many start acting youthful again, with a spring in their step and a willingness to play that owners haven't seen in a while.
Gentle, Drug-Free Care
One of the best advantages is that chiropractic therapy is all-natural, no drugs or invasive procedures. Chiropractic adjustments treat the source of the pain, joint restrictions, and restore nerve function and comfort without medication. Treatments are performed by hand with controlled, specific movements, and animals are never sedated. Sedation is avoided because it can interfere with the body's response and even risk injury. The result is a safe, gentle experience that most pets accept very well, when performed by a properly trained professional.
Holistic Wellness & Injury Prevention
Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach, focusing on the neuro-musculo-skeletal system, the crucial connection between nerves, muscles, and bones. By keeping the spine and joints moving freely, we improve circulation, and reduce inflammation, which can boost your animal's overall health. Proper alignment can even help the body clear toxins more efficiently by supporting lymphatic and blood flow. Maintaining good joint mobility and alignment may help prevent injuries or reduce their severity by easing undue stress on the body.
What animals can be helped by chiropractic?
Almost any animal with a spine can potentially benefit from chiropractic adjustments. In our practice, we primarily treat the following. Explore our dog chiropractic, cat chiropractic, small animal chiropractic, horse and large animal chiropractic, and performance and competition animal chiropractic services to learn how we can help your specific animal.
Dogs & Cats
From tiny Chihuahuas to senior Great Danes, all breeds and ages can benefit from chiropractic care. We often help pets with chronic back or neck pain, arthritis, hip dysplasia, or those who just aren't as spry as they used to be. Does your dog hesitate to jump into the car or onto the couch? Is your cat no longer leaping to high benches? These can be signs of discomfort we can address.
Horses
Equine chiropractic is one of our passions, as Dr. Campo is a true horseman who understands the demands placed on performance horses and the aches that even pleasure horses can develop. We see horses for uneven gait, lameness that isn't explained by hoof problems, resistance to bending or taking the lead, or a general poor performance.
Livestock & Large Animals
While our primary patients are dogs, cats and horses, we do occasionally get called to treat other animals. This includes livestock such as show cattle, goats and others, especially when they have a show or performance need.
What happens during an animal chiropractic visit?
Compassionate, low-stress care is our priority. A typical appointment starts with a thorough evaluation of your animal. Dr. Campo will review their medical history, listen to your concerns, then examine your animal's posture, movement and spine. During the exam, Dr. Campo carefully palpates each joint and checks its range of motion from the neck and spine down to the limbs. If he finds areas that are "stuck" or not moving properly, he'll perform a chiropractic adjustment on those specific joints.
Is animal chiropractic safe? Does it hurt the animal?
When performed by a trained professional, animal chiropractic is very safe and gentle. Adjustments involve quick, light pressure, they do not involve forceful cracking or long-lever manipulations that might injure the animal. Your pet may feel a little soreness for a day or so, similar to how you might feel after a new exercise, but this is usually mild. We often hear pet parents say their pet seems very relaxed or sleepy after a treatment, which is a sign of tension release. Typically, the next day, you'll notice your animal moving more freely, if not soon after the adjustment. Dr. Campo's rule is to use the minimum pressure necessary and listen to the animal's response. If at any point your animal seems uncomfortable, we pause. When adjustments are done correctly, they provide relief.
Do I need a referral from my veterinarian?
In Arizona, you do not need a veterinary referral to seek animal chiropractic. We highly value our veterinary colleagues and prefer to work in partnership with your regular vet. It's a good idea to rule out any serious underlying conditions with your veterinarian. We often receive referrals from vets who recognize when a patient could benefit from adjustments.
Will chiropractic care replace regular veterinary care or medications?
No, think of animal chiropractic as a complementary addition to your animal's health regimen, not a replacement for standard veterinary care. Traditional vet medicine is crucial for diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and infections, as well as preventative care such as vaccinations and blood work. Our chiropractic treatments focus on the musculoskeletal and nervous system, working to improve biomechanical function and comfort. There are many situations where an animal may still need medication or surgery, and chiropractic won't change that. Chiropractic can't cure a torn ligament or an internal organ issue. But it can enhance your animal's overall wellness and often reduce the need for pain medications by naturally easing discomfort. Chiropractic is one piece of the puzzle and works best alongside proper veterinary care, good nutrition, and exercise to give your animal the happiest, healthiest life possible.
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Questions? Call 602-595-0015