Cliff Buchan
News Editor

While Gerard teams with husband Jason to run Lakewoods Chiropractic in Forest Lake and treat humans, when she crosses the border into Wisconsin she becomes a doctor specializing in chiropractic care for animals.

Since last November, Josee Gerard has been practicing animal chiropractic care at Valley View Veterinary Hospital, LLC, 821 East US-8, one mile east of downtown St. Croix Falls. She has joined the practice of Dr. Joel Erochs at the veterinary clinic.

What it is

Much like the treatment of humans, animal chiropractic involves adjustments of subluxation of the spinal column, extremity joints and skull bone junctions.

Animal chiropractic care involves the management advice as to what is needed to insure proper response to chiropractic care, including rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise.

No medications are dispensed in animal chiropractic, nor is surgery performed. Animal chiropractic does not inject medications or attempt to replace necessary traditional veterinary care.

At Valley View, Gerard is slowly building a client list that includes dogs and cats. Her client base is relying on word of mouth referrals and contacts through the Gerardís Forest Lake clinic.

Willing to drive

Gerard is finding many clients are willing to make the half hour drive east to St. Croix Falls to seek treatment for their pets.

On a day in early August, Terri Kraiter and daughter Courtney of Wyoming drove from their home with three of their five Pomeranians who were due for adjustments.

Later, Carol Anderson of North Branch stopped in with her seven-year-old female Doberman pinscher show dog Shanni. She is one of two Dobermans that Anderson has Gerard treat on a regular basis.

Bear, one of the Pomeranians, has received chiropractic adjustments since an April fall from an SUV that damaged the dogís hip. Kraiter, who is a patient at the Gerard clinic in Forest Lake, wanted to give animal chiropractic treatment a try and not do hip surgery that could cost $2000.

The treatments are working, she says. ìHeís jumping and acting like a puppy again,î Kraiter said.

In the case of Shanni, the sleek black and brown beauty had been favoring a back hind leg. It was Shanniís first trip to St. Croix Falls, but the animal quickly adjusted to Gerardís exam and adjustments.

When the adjustment was completed, the Doberman pranced throughout the treatment room with new energy and no visible leg problem.

ìI want to make sure she is OK,î Anderson said to Gerard. Anderson plans to show Shanni in performance and obedience competition this fall.

For Gerard, the treatment process for a dog or cat is no different than with a human.

Before treatment, she visits in great length with the owner, building a case file and medical history to learn any nugget of information that may play into the treatment process for the animal.

Animal fan

Growing up in Alberta, Canada, Gerard says she has long loved animals. During her eight years of college, she says she was intrigued by the concept of animal chiropractic, but concentrated on her main degree program.

ìIíve always loved animals,î she said. ìIíve always been interested in it (animal chiropractic).

The idea was still in her head when she joined Lakewoods five years ago. The time restraints of running and building a new practice pushed the dream to the back, however.

But last year Gerard decided the time was right to catch that dream.

She enrolled in the Health Oasis Wellness Center near Milwaukee where she completed an intensive 210-hour specialized training program in animal chiropractic.

ìIt wasnít easy but I decided to do it,î she said. The school is one of three in the country that provides training for chiropractors under the supervision of doctors of veterinary medicine.

Not in Minnesota

Gerard says the draw of clients from west of the St. Croix River is proving more and more that the treatment option is needed in Minnesota. ìWeíve got the public support,î she said.

Current state law, however, limits chiropractors to the treatment of ìthe human spineî and does not specifically identify animals. As a result, such treatment is not legal in Minnesota.

There are no such restrictions in Wisconsin. ìIn Wisconsin it has never been the law,î she said of the strict definition of who or what chiropractors may treat.

After completing her education in Wisconsin, Gerard contacted four clinics in and close to the river valley. When Dr. Erochs responded with a willingness to add the new service, Gerard opted for St. Croix Falls where she works under the supervision of the licensed veterinarian two days each week.

She is campaigning at the state level for a change in law to allow animal chiropractic in Minnesota. She has the backing of the state chiropractic board and the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, but the state veterinary board and state veterinary association have not come on board yet, she says.

While chiropractors have eight years of schooling and specialized training for animal chiropractic, there are hurdles yet to clear in the eyes of some veterinarians. ìAnimals are the territory they feel they know best,î Gerard said.

She has crafted models of state laws that would pinpoint the education components and the licensing requirements and certification for animal chiropractic. But as of this year, the idea has yet to be carried to the form of a bill in the legislature.

For now, Gerard has no plans to curtail her Wisconsin clinic. In a perfect world Minnesota law will change and she can launch a second clinic to serve clients closer to Forest Lake.

Gerard is not shy about taking on all comers, be they animals or legislators who command another kind of power. ìIíve treated dogs from a three-pound Pomeranian to a 200-pound St. Bernard,î she said.

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Forest Lake Times
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