Dr. Valerie Teo’s unique career blends passion for animals with chiropractic care, but faces challenges of perception and regulation.
Animal chiropractor, Dr. Valerie Teo’s thick leather boots echo off the grey concrete floor at the Riding Disability Association (RDA). Between her stomps are grunts and groans from stabled horses, seeming to greet her as she walks past.
Dr. Teo started as a chiropractor for humans in 2014 before transitioning into animal chiropractic in 2016. Now, she’s the Principal Chiropractor of Animal Pal Chiropractic, a center dedicated to animal care, mainly small pets. Yet today, she’s away from her clinic, treating horses at the RDA in Caldecott—an act of giving back as she provides pro-bono services twice a month.
A chiropractic session with large animals like horses can cost $150 to $190, and for smaller pets such as dogs and cats, it’s between $85 to $120. Dr. Teo has treated everything from dogs to elephants. As an animal chiropractor, her focus is on the well-being of animals’ spines, performing preventive care to ensure overall health.
“Basically, we’re like police officers for the spine,” Dr. Teo says, explaining her role. “We work in tandem with rehab and posture correction to form a holistic care plan.”
However, the practice of chiropractic treatment, whether for animals or humans, often attracts criticism. Animal chiropractic videos, popular on platforms like TikTok, often receive mixed reactions, with some viewing it as irresponsible pet ownership and others celebrating the results.
The Controversy of Animal Chiropractic
The debate around chiropractic care has extended into Singapore’s Parliament. In a 2019 sitting, MP Leon Perera asked about regulating the chiropractic profession, as chiropractors are not recognized under Singapore’s healthcare regulations but are instead considered alternative practitioners.
Dr. Teo remains confident in her work despite skepticism about her field. “I’m proud of what I do,” she says, recounting her own experience with chiropractic care as a child, which inspired her to pursue the profession.
As she moves through the stables, treating horses for conditions like lower back pain, she notes the quiet challenges of her profession. “Animal chiropractic treatment may look like a lot of hocus-pocus, but it’s based on careful observation of the animal’s posture, gait, and spinal motion.”
Dr. Teo’s hands hover over the horses’ bodies as she searches for areas of tension. “Adjusting humans and animals is similar, but animals are simpler because they stand on four legs. Their bodies are built differently, and their gravity is more evenly distributed, making the adjustments less noisy but still effective.”
Despite some public misconceptions, she continues to work tirelessly to improve the health of the animals she treats. “When horses are in good condition, it improves their performance, which benefits everyone involved,” she explains.
Advocating for Regulation
Animal chiropractors like Dr. Teo face an uphill battle for legitimacy. While she has received some support from clients and peers, the profession still suffers from a lack of regulation in Singapore. The absence of regulation means anyone can claim to be an animal chiropractor without the proper qualifications, posing a risk to animal welfare.
Dr. Teo has worked with the Ministry of Health to establish a code of ethics for the profession, ensuring that qualified practitioners provide safe and effective treatment. “Regulation is key to protecting both the public and the profession,” she emphasizes.
Her efforts go beyond treating animals; they’re about changing how chiropractic care is perceived in Singapore. “The best way to change public opinion is to set an example. I want to show that chiropractic care can be part of a holistic treatment plan, but only when it’s done by properly trained and regulated professionals.”
Though Dr. Teo’s field faces challenges, she remains dedicated. “For me, this isn’t just a job. I’m doing what I love, helping animals, and bringing comfort to people. That’s success.”
As she prepares to head back to her clinic to treat human patients, Dr. Teo reflects on her dual role as a practitioner who bridges two worlds—both animal and human chiropractic. For her, the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.
