Dr. Sabrina Tracey, Bkin (Hons), DC, Certified Animal Chiropractor
 

Dr. Tracey was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley and is passionate about providing quality chiropractic care for your pets in the Ottawa area. She is the owner of Bytown Animal Chiropractic.

 

Dr. Tracey believes in an alternative health care approach to help alleviate pain and restore function. She will evaluate your animal based on their individual needs whether they are experiencing a spine, extremity or soft tissue injury. If she feels that chiropractic can help, she will typically recommend a trial of 2-3 visits to see how your animal will respond. She will give you exercises to do at home with your animal to keep their spine healthy and strong. She can also provide advice on how to prevent future injuries. 

 

Dr. Tracey received her Bachelors of Kinesiology Degree (Honours) with First-Class Standing from Brock University. She then attended the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. During her undergraduate and post graduate studies she spent any chance she could shadowing Dr. Alison Seely and decided that animal chiropractic was the right option for her. While at CMCC, Dr. Tracey attended the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre to obtain her Animal Chiropractic License, and is certified by the College of Animal Chiropractors. Upon graduation, she worked with Dr. Alison Seely for four years before taking over her practice in the Ottawa Area in 2018. 

​

Dr. Morgan McKay, DVM

​

Dr. Morgan McKay received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Additionally, she acquired specialty training with the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre in her last year of studies to where she became certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT a.k.a. animal chiropractic) to be able to provide adjustments, when appropriate, on her patients. 

 

In addition to her career as an equine veterinarian, where she has been practicing medicine and VSMT on horses with Russell Equine Veterinary Services since May 2020, Dr. McKay’s focus also includes proving VSMT for small animals. She joined the team at Bytown Animal Chiropractic in late 2021, where she practices exclusively small animal VSMT at the Rehab Fur Your Pet location. Dr. McKay is committed to ensuring that all clients and patients receive specialized care and continuous evaluation. She is constantly seeking continuing education and information about the latest updates in the field to ensure her patients have the most up-to-date treatment options. 

 

In her personal time, Dr. McKay enjoys riding her horse, Cal – a hobby she practiced while growing up on her family’s farm in the south of Ottawa, travelling, spending time with her friends and family and walking her Dalmatian, Kylo.

​

​

Dr. Mishka Thomson, BSC, DC 

​

Dr. Mishka Thomson was born and raised on the south shore of Montreal and is fluent in both French and English. She received her undergraduate degree in Science from the University of Waterloo followed by her Doctor of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 2005. After graduating, she and her husband moved to London, UK where they travelled and she worked as a chiropractor. In 2008, she returned to Ontario to practice in Toronto. Dr. Mishka completed the animal chiropractic certification with the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre in 2012.

 

Dr. Mishka’s background in animal chiropractic involves running busy practices in agility centres, animal rehabilitation centres and chiropractic practices as well as barn visits across Toronto and the GTA. Her experience with animals ranges from horses to bunnies, cats and dogs; high-level agility athletes as well as post-op cases, general injuries, animals suffering with arthritis and everything in between.

 

In her off-time, Dr. Mishka loves cycling, hiking and snowboarding with her husband Jason, her kids Bennett and Averie and their pups Harry and Shelby.

 

For more information on Dr. Mishka’s human chiropractic practice please visit www.drmishka.com

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

WHAT IS ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC?

 

Animal Chiropractic is a field of animal health care that focuses on the preservation and health of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. All animals have spines that are subject to stresses that cause the vertebra (spinal bones) to lose proper motion. If the movement and biomechanics of the vertebra become dysfunctional, they can interfere with the performance of the nerves. The basic premise of chiropractic care is to correct the vertebral motion to decrease pain and to maintain adequate nerve supply that is vital to the proper functioning of the entire body.

 

Chiropractic also has preventative importance since adjustments eliminate subclinical problems, as well as resolve clinical dysfunction or symptoms. Animal chiropractic is a good compliment to regular veterinary care.
 

​

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC?

 

Normal events such as birth or regular wear and tear of ageing can affect any animal. Misalignment can be invisible to the owner but their effects of decreased function, lameness and suboptimal health are real and recognizable. Any animal can benefit from a chiropractic consultation.

 

Horses are especially vulnerable due to

•  unbalanced riding

•  poorly fitting saddles

•  falls or traumas

• ​ repetitive exercise​

•  improper warm up/cool down

​

Dogs can become injured by

• pulling on their leash

• accidents during play with another dog

• repetitive jumping from the bed, car, or any raised surface

• repetitive activities (excessive fetch, tug of war, etc.)

​

​

WHEN SHOULD MY PET RECEIVE A SPINAL EXAM?

​

An animal can receive a chiropractic exam at any time. If there is an underlying health concern it is recommended that you speak with your veterinarian first to rule out other causes of pain or dysfunction. If your pet has an underlying health concern, Dr. Tracey can communicate with your veterinarian to ensure that the chiropractic treatment will be safe and effective for their condition. 
 

Clues that your dog or cat may require care include but are not limited to;

• Inability or reluctance to jump or climb

• Irritability - especially when touched in certain areas

• Discomfort or yelping with certain movements

• Limping or stiffness after exercise or after resting for awhile

• Trouble with the stairs

• Trouble getting into or out of the car

• Reluctance to play like they used to

• Hesitation to go for walks, slower on walks

• Always sitting crooked on the same hip

• Abnormal gait

• Abnormal posture

 

Symptoms that your horse may present with are;

• Lameness

• Sensitivity when touching or grooming

• Head shyness

• Reluctant to accept a lead

• Swapping leads

• Difficulty bending or collecting 

• Refusing, bucking or rearing

• Girthiness

• Short striding

• "Roach back" appearance

• Difficulty holding a leg for the farrier

• Excessive tail swishing

• Difficulty with collection

 

​

HOW IS AN ANIMAL ADJUSTED?
 

The spine involves specific motion units that can become restricted and have a lack of motion throughout an animals life - anything from a slip, fall or wrong turn can cause these vertebrae to become "stuck". Dr. Tracey will determine which vertebrae are involved by combining the findings of the case history, posture analysis, and static palpation.

 

Dr. Tracey performs the adjustment to restore motion to the vertebrae with her hands. It feels good to have the motion restored and most animals really enjoy being adjusted. Dr. Tracey is a gentle adjuster and won't use excessive force on your animals' spine. 

 

 

​