Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Bockhold.
Hi Heidi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Options for Animals was started by Dr. Sharon Willoughby who was a veterinarian and then became a chiropractor. While attending Palmer Chiropractic College she was known as the witch doctor because she was boiling animal bones to see the angles on how to adjust them. Anyway she was in Illinois and over time she would teach friends how to adjust animals. These vets and chiro’s convinced her to start a school which was Options for Animals. Fast forward when she decided to retire, she wanted a female chiropractor to take over. This was Dr. Heidi Bockhold DC. Dr. Heidi did not want to run the school alone so she went into partnership with Dr. Dennis Eschbach DC and Dr. Drew Spisak DVM. As partners they decided to build a new school in Wellsville, Kansas since this was centrally located and it opened in October 2005. Over time Dr. Spisak retired and Dr. Eschbach passed away. To keep the partnership Dr. Heidi Bockhold added Robbie Hroza and they both run the school today.
At Options we teach Veternarians and Chiropractors how to adjust animals with chiropractic. Many of these professionals come from all around the world to attend. We also have a sister school in England.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning there was division with both professions. The veternarians believed this was vet medicine and chiropractors should not be allowed to attend. The chiropractors believed the veterinarians should not have the right to a profession of chiropractic that they did not go to school for. Anyway we worked through that because Dr. Sharon always believe that both professions need to work together. Its not to say that there is still to this day challenges with some of the laws in various states. When human chiropractic was made legal in all the states it was written in the human scope. Nothing with animals at all. So little by little some states have either included that chiropractors can adjust animals that has gone to a recognized school and are certified. Other states want a vet referral and some want direct supervision from a veterinarian.
The other struggle is keeping animal chiropractic pure. There are weekend courses that teach anyone to do some type of manipulation. When it comes to animals and their wellbeing we feel this should be better policed. Its so important that there is proper education so all animals can benefit from doctors who go through this education and are certified by either the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association) or IVCA (International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
As you know, we’re big fans of Southeast Animal Chiropractic. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I have been a chiropractor for 34 years. Treating animals excusivly for 26 years. Having the opportunity to teach animal chiropractic as well as practicing I have gained a lot of experience. But what I hope that I am most known for is the respect I hold for all animals as well their owners. My chiropractic practice consist primarly of horses, dogs,and cats. However sometimes I have the previledge of adjusting goats, pigs, cows, rabbits etc.
Being the owner and head instructor for Options for Animals is a priviledge. We get doctors from all over the world and I’m excited to meet new doctors who are the next generation of animal chiropractors. Being able to teach them the art, science, and philosophy of animal chiropractic is the foundation of who we are. It’s important to give each student 100 percent so they will help many animals with chiropractic throughout their career.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Practice, Practice, Practice. Focus on caring for each animal the best you can. In time you will also make a good living but always give each animal the time and respect they deserve
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.optionsforanimals.com
- Facebook: Options for Animals
- Youtube: Options for Animals
