AVCA-Certified Animal Chiropractic in Henderson, Nevada

AVCA-Certified Animal Chiropractic

Most pet owners in the Las Vegas area have never heard of animal chiropractic, and even fewer realize there’s a gold standard behind it. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) sets rigorous training and certification requirements for providers who treat animals safely and effectively. Dr. Bradshaw at Agape Health & Fitness is one of the very few practitioners in Nevada with this credential, making it a rare and highly specialized service in Southern Nevada. Whether it’s a dog with mobility issues, a horse struggling with performance, or a cat that just isn’t moving right, the same exam-first approach used in human care applies here too.

When Drugs and Cage Rest are NOT the Only Answer

If you have been back to the vet multiple times and walked out with the same prescription and instructions to limit activity, that approach is not fixing anything. Drugs manage pain temporarily and cage rest prevents further injury, but neither addresses what is actually causing the problem. Pet owners have come to Agape after years of that cycle, looking for something that gets to the root of why their animal is struggling. Animal chiropractic starts with a thorough hands-on assessment of how your animal moves, holds posture, and responds to pressure along the spine and joints.

Your Dog Is Slowing Down. That Is Not Just Old Age.

Watching a dog that used to bound up the stairs struggle to get off the couch is heartbreaking, and it is easy to accept it as aging. But stiffness, reluctance to move, gait changes, and behavioral shifts are often signs of musculoskeletal pain that can actually be addressed. Restricted spinal joints, unresolved old injuries, and accumulated soft tissue tension all contribute to the kind of slowdown that looks like aging but responds well to treatment. Before accepting that your dog has simply reached that chapter, a proper physical assessment is worth having.

Most People Have No Idea Chiropractors Treat Animals

It is one of the most common reactions we hear at Agape: genuine surprise that this exists. Animal chiropractic applies the same foundational principles as human chiropractic to dogs, cats, horses, and other animals with a spine. Dr. Bradshaw holds certification from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, the AVCA, which requires completing an accredited post-graduate program and passing written and clinical examinations. She is one of very few practitioners in Nevada with this credential. If you have never heard of animal chiropractic before, you are not alone, and you are not too late to explore whether it is right for your animal.

Surgery Should Be a Last Resort, Not a First Offer

When a vet recommends surgery for a torn ligament, disc problem, or mobility issue, it can feel like there is no other path. But many pet owners who have come to Agape did so specifically to try everything else first. In several cases, including dogs with ACL injuries and severe mobility problems, conservative care produced outcomes that made surgery unnecessary. Every animal is different, and that is not a promise. But a thorough evaluation by an AVCA-certified animal chiropractor before committing to an invasive procedure is a reasonable step that more pet owners in this area are choosing to take.

Your Pet Deserves a Real Exam, Not a Quick Look

One of the most consistent frustrations pet owners express is leaving a vet appointment feeling like their animal was barely touched before a diagnosis was handed down. At Agape, every animal patient receives a comprehensive hands-on evaluation before any adjustments are made. Dr. Bradshaw assesses posture, gait, range of motion, and spinal joint mobility from head to tail, identifies specific areas of restriction contributing to your animal's discomfort, and explains what she finds in plain language. That level of attention is the standard here, not the exception.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is animal chiropractic actually real, or is it just for people who want to avoid the vet?

It is very real, and it works alongside your vet rather than replacing them. Animal chiropractic is a recognized specialty in veterinary medicine. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association is responsible for the certification process in North America, ensuring that practitioners have the appropriate knowledge and skills to treat animals. Certified practitioners hold either a Doctor of Chiropractic or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree before completing specialized animal chiropractic training and passing both written and clinical exams. Healthline At Agape, Dr. Bradshaw holds her AVCA certification and is one of the very few practitioners in Nevada qualified to offer this care. This is not alternative wellness fluff. It is structured, credentialed, and genuinely effective for the right conditions.

My vet keeps prescribing drugs and cage rest and nothing is helping. Can you actually fix what is wrong?

We hear this more than you might think, and it is one of the most frustrating positions a pet owner can be in. Drugs and cage rest address symptoms but often leave the underlying physical problem untouched. Chiropractic care can be of greater help to your pet than simply administering a cortisone shot, which merely numbs the pain but does not treat the underlying cause of the issue. Compass Chiropractic What Dr. Bradshaw does is evaluate how your pet's spine, joints, and soft tissue are actually moving and functioning, then work to restore proper alignment and nervous system communication. We cannot promise outcomes we have not seen yet, but we start every case with a thorough evaluation so you get real answers about what is going on and what we can actually do about it.

How do I know if the chiropractor treating my animal is actually qualified?

This is the right question to ask, and the answer comes down to one word: certification. AVCA certification is the primary national credential for animal chiropractic in North America. To earn it, a practitioner must complete an approved post-graduate animal chiropractic program and pass both written and clinical examinations. They must also hold a current, active license in either chiropractic or veterinary medicine before they can even apply. Occmedpartners Dr. Brandi Bradshaw at Agape Health & Fitness holds her AVCA certification and is one of the very few practitioners in all of Nevada with this credential. You can verify any AVCA-certified practitioner directly through the AVCA's website. When someone's pet is involved, you should never have to take that on faith alone.

I'm worried about surgery for my dog. Is chiropractic something we should try first?

For many conditions, yes, chiropractic care is absolutely worth exploring before committing to surgery. It is less invasive, carries far less risk, and for some dogs produces real and lasting improvement. Not all cases require surgery. In mild to moderate spinal cases, conservative treatment including chiropractic care is a viable option, and investing in routine chiropractic care costs a fraction of emergency surgery while often helping pets avoid crisis situations entirely. Heraldsquarechiropractic That said, some conditions do require surgical intervention, and Dr. Bradshaw will always be honest with you about whether chiropractic is appropriate for your dog's specific situation. We work in coordination with your vet, not against them, to make sure your dog gets the right care in the right order.

How much does it cost, and do you come to us or does my pet have to come to you?

Small animals like dogs and cats are seen at our Henderson clinic, which works well for most pet owners in the Las Vegas area. For horses and larger animals, Dr. Bradshaw may travel to your barn, stable, or property, which means your animal is assessed and treated in a familiar environment without the stress of trailering. Pricing varies based on the type of animal, the number of animals at the site, the visit length, and the distance to the location, so the best way to get accurate numbers is to call us directly at 702-410-5354.

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702-410-5354

Business Hours

People Chiropractic

  • Monday                 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Tuesday                8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday          8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday                closed
  • Friday                      closed
  • Saturday               8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday                  8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Animal Chiropractic

  • Monday                  closed
  • Tuesday                8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday         8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday               closed
  • Friday                     closed
  • Saturday              8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday                 8:00 am - 3:00 pm