Post by Brooke on Mar 15, 2004 22:23:38 GMT -5
March 14, 2004
Chiropractor willing to break law to help animals
Pets appear to respond well to chiropractic care
By Jennifer Kostka
Herald Staff Writer
The only known pet chiropractor in La Plata County acknowledges he is taking chances by sometimes violating a state law requiring him to be supervised by a veterinarian.
Jay Komarek gives an adjustment to China, a black Labrador, on March 5 in the home office of veterinarian Nancy Van Dover. Born into a family of chiropractors, Komarek first became interested in the profession at age 8.
To learn more
To contact the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine, go to the board’s Web site at www.dora.state.co.us/veterinarians/ or call (303) 894-7755.
But he says he does it with the animal's health in mind.
Jay Komarek, a chiropractor who practices on pets in La Plata County and across the nation, said he is supervised by veterinarians "99 percent of the time." Sometimes, however, he must treat animals during emergencies without a vet present.
"Are we out of the boundaries of the law? Yes," Komarek said. "But the care of the animal comes first."
The Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine requires anyone practicing medicine on an animal to be a licensed veterinarian. Licensed chiropractors can practice on animals as long as veterinarians are present.
Dr. Linda Grayson, a licensed veterinarian in Bayfield, said she agrees with the law.
"I would never recommend that a client have a chiropractor adjust an animal without a veterinarian present - period, no exceptions," Grayson said.
Grayson became concerned about Komarek's care after seeing his advertisement in The Durango Herald that did not say anything about being supervised by a veterinarian.
The state Board of Veterinary Medicine has not acted on a complaint against Komarek, according to the board's complaints database. Complaints against a veterinarian or a chiropractor are not public unless the board has acted on them.
Grayson has not lodged a complaint against Komarek with the state Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Susan Warren, program director, said that if the board receives a complaint about a chiropractor practicing on animals without direct supervision by a veterinarian, the board can issue a cease and desist order, which would require the chiropractor to stop practicing on animals.
Komarek said he has treated at least 10,000 horses and 20,000 to 30,000 dogs, and he has never hurt an animal or been the subject of a malpractice suit.
The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association recommends that owners receive referrals from veterinarians before they take their animals to chiropractors and that veterinarians be present when animals receive treatment from chiropractors.
Grayson said a veterinarian who supervises a chiropractor assumes liability for the chiropractor's care. If something goes wrong with the chiropractor's care, the pet owner has no legal recourse against the chiropractor.
Breaking ground
When Komarek, who has been practicing on pets for 27 years, first graduated from chiropractic school, no one offered certifications for veterinarians or chiropractors who wanted to practice chiropractic medicine on animals.
Komarek is a founding member of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, which certifies vets and chiropractors to practice on pets. Komarek said he received a certification from the association in 1992. The certification process takes place in two steps and entails 300 hours of study, practice and exams.
"By the time you're done, you're in great shape to be delivering care," Komarek said.
Komarek said veterinarians across the nation ask him if he is certified by the association before they allow him to practice on their patients.
"AVCA is like the gold standard for chiropractic care," Komarek said.
Komarek said he treats animals without a vet present during emergencies. For instance, he recently treated a dog that had a herniated disc. The dog's veterinarian called Komarek to tell him that the dog was in pain and wondered if Komarek could treat it, but the vet could not be present, Komarek said. Komarek said he made sure the vet knew that the vet would be liable for the dog's care. He agreed to treat the animal because it was in pain.
Dr. Nancy Van Dover, a local licensed veterinarian, refers animals to Komarek and has supervised his care at times over the last three years.
"I don't know of very many chiropractors or veterinarians who have more experience or skill in adjusting animals than Jay does," Van Dover said. Van Dover also practices alternative medicine on pets, including acupuncture.
Komarek said he supports the state law requiring vet supervision, because it brings veterinarians and chiropractors to the same table to provide care. "I've had great relationships with vets," Komarek said.
Van Dover said educating alternative medicine providers and veterinarians or medical doctors about what each group does is important so that they know when each other's services would be needed. Otherwise, patients and pet owners must guess.
"That leaves the patient to try to make the best judgment of health care when they're not trained in either place," Van Dover said.
Alternative medicine, including chiropractic work, is a growing field that has exploded since Van Dover was in veterinarian school, she said. The explosion makes education about alternative medicine even more important.
"There has been a huge change in the interest and acceptance in alternative medicine, certainly over the last 20 years," she said.
Pets appear to respond well to chiropractic care
By Jennifer Kostka
Herald Staff Writer
China, a 10-year-old black Labrador mix, looked back at Jay Komarek, a Durango chiropractor, and seemed to smile after a small pop sounded from her left hind leg.
China had a new bounce in her aging step after her 15-minute monthly session with Komarek on March 5.
Jay Komarek gives an adjustment to Gus, a 140-pound Great Pyrenees, on March 5, in the home office of veterinarian Nancy Van Dover.
Actually, China was lucky to have any step at all. Three and a half years ago, she was paralyzed in her hind legs after a tree branch fell on her. Now, after two years of Komarek’s chiropractic sessions, China’s owner, Jan Bovee, of La Plata County, credits Komarek’s hands for China’s life.
"All this treatment is what’s keeping this dog alive," Bovee said. "We just figured we’d lose her."
Komarek, one of nine chiropractors in his family, became interested in practicing chiropractic medicine on pets when he was 8 and saw a horse receive care.
"It just amazed me that you could do this with a horse," said Komarek, who appeared on The Today Show in 1999 adjusting horses.
Now, Komarek has chiropractic offices in Durango and Boulder and travels all over the country to treat animals.
Applying pressure
Komarek, who graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore., in 1977, said that chiropractors believe the body can heal itself for the most part if the nervous system is free. By applying pressure to joints and freeing the nerves that run throughout joints and the spinal cord, chiropractic medicine allows the nervous system to operate.
Komarek first began practicing on race horses, which needed adjustments after running in the same direction around a track.
"Adjusting a horse really is work," Komarek said.
To treat a horse, Komarek picks up one of the horse’s hind legs and rotates the hip joint to determine the leg’s range of motion. If the range of motion is limited, Komarek locates the problem, steps up on a stool to reach the horse’s back and adjusts the area with all of his strength until the joint falls into place.
The work is similar on dogs and cats. Komarek starts moving their hind legs to determine where bones are locked or have restricted motion. He gradually works up the spine to the front legs and neck with the goal of creating a free-moving spine.
"We want them to be able to do the hula," Komarek said.
Dangerous Flower
Komarek said he has never been bitten or kicked while treating an animal. However, Flower, a Chihuahua in La Plata County, scares him worse than any horse or dog he has ever treated. Flower wears a muzzle during sessions, Komarek said, and over time, Flower, who was abused as a puppy, has learned to tolerate Komarek. Other than Flower, Komarek said he has a natural way with animals that helps him administer treatment.
Chiropractic care can be a good alternative for pet owners over expensive tests or surgeries, he said. In Durango, Komarek charges $65 per session for a horse and $45 for a dog. Animals usually must return to Komarek every two months.
Many of the owners who bring their animals to Komarek swear by his services. Almost every session ends with a hug between Komarek and the owner.
Carolyn and Susan Eckard, both of Durango, bring their 140-pound Great Pyrenees, Gus, to Komarek regularly. Gus was abandoned by his owner, and the Eckards adopted him. When they took Gus in, he could barely walk. Now, after about four of Komarek’s sessions and a combination of other treatments, including acupuncture and vitamins, Gus is just a little slow getting up.
"He’s been dragging," Carolyn Eckard said before Gus’ March 5 session. By the end of the 15-minute session, Gus was walking with more ease and panting happily.
Cherie Hughes brings one of her Saint Bernards, Patches, to Komarek regularly. Patches is 8 years old, and Hughes said that St. Bernards rarely live to be older than Patches.
"She’s the first St. Bernard in a number of years that we’ve had that has lived past 8," Hughes said, "and (Komarek) thinks he can give her a couple more."
Chiropractor willing to break law to help animals
Pets appear to respond well to chiropractic care
By Jennifer Kostka
Herald Staff Writer
The only known pet chiropractor in La Plata County acknowledges he is taking chances by sometimes violating a state law requiring him to be supervised by a veterinarian.
Jay Komarek gives an adjustment to China, a black Labrador, on March 5 in the home office of veterinarian Nancy Van Dover. Born into a family of chiropractors, Komarek first became interested in the profession at age 8.
To learn more
To contact the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine, go to the board’s Web site at www.dora.state.co.us/veterinarians/ or call (303) 894-7755.
But he says he does it with the animal's health in mind.
Jay Komarek, a chiropractor who practices on pets in La Plata County and across the nation, said he is supervised by veterinarians "99 percent of the time." Sometimes, however, he must treat animals during emergencies without a vet present.
"Are we out of the boundaries of the law? Yes," Komarek said. "But the care of the animal comes first."
The Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine requires anyone practicing medicine on an animal to be a licensed veterinarian. Licensed chiropractors can practice on animals as long as veterinarians are present.
Dr. Linda Grayson, a licensed veterinarian in Bayfield, said she agrees with the law.
"I would never recommend that a client have a chiropractor adjust an animal without a veterinarian present - period, no exceptions," Grayson said.
Grayson became concerned about Komarek's care after seeing his advertisement in The Durango Herald that did not say anything about being supervised by a veterinarian.
The state Board of Veterinary Medicine has not acted on a complaint against Komarek, according to the board's complaints database. Complaints against a veterinarian or a chiropractor are not public unless the board has acted on them.
Grayson has not lodged a complaint against Komarek with the state Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Susan Warren, program director, said that if the board receives a complaint about a chiropractor practicing on animals without direct supervision by a veterinarian, the board can issue a cease and desist order, which would require the chiropractor to stop practicing on animals.
Komarek said he has treated at least 10,000 horses and 20,000 to 30,000 dogs, and he has never hurt an animal or been the subject of a malpractice suit.
The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association recommends that owners receive referrals from veterinarians before they take their animals to chiropractors and that veterinarians be present when animals receive treatment from chiropractors.
Grayson said a veterinarian who supervises a chiropractor assumes liability for the chiropractor's care. If something goes wrong with the chiropractor's care, the pet owner has no legal recourse against the chiropractor.
Breaking ground
When Komarek, who has been practicing on pets for 27 years, first graduated from chiropractic school, no one offered certifications for veterinarians or chiropractors who wanted to practice chiropractic medicine on animals.
Komarek is a founding member of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, which certifies vets and chiropractors to practice on pets. Komarek said he received a certification from the association in 1992. The certification process takes place in two steps and entails 300 hours of study, practice and exams.
"By the time you're done, you're in great shape to be delivering care," Komarek said.
Komarek said veterinarians across the nation ask him if he is certified by the association before they allow him to practice on their patients.
"AVCA is like the gold standard for chiropractic care," Komarek said.
Komarek said he treats animals without a vet present during emergencies. For instance, he recently treated a dog that had a herniated disc. The dog's veterinarian called Komarek to tell him that the dog was in pain and wondered if Komarek could treat it, but the vet could not be present, Komarek said. Komarek said he made sure the vet knew that the vet would be liable for the dog's care. He agreed to treat the animal because it was in pain.
Dr. Nancy Van Dover, a local licensed veterinarian, refers animals to Komarek and has supervised his care at times over the last three years.
"I don't know of very many chiropractors or veterinarians who have more experience or skill in adjusting animals than Jay does," Van Dover said. Van Dover also practices alternative medicine on pets, including acupuncture.
Komarek said he supports the state law requiring vet supervision, because it brings veterinarians and chiropractors to the same table to provide care. "I've had great relationships with vets," Komarek said.
Van Dover said educating alternative medicine providers and veterinarians or medical doctors about what each group does is important so that they know when each other's services would be needed. Otherwise, patients and pet owners must guess.
"That leaves the patient to try to make the best judgment of health care when they're not trained in either place," Van Dover said.
Alternative medicine, including chiropractic work, is a growing field that has exploded since Van Dover was in veterinarian school, she said. The explosion makes education about alternative medicine even more important.
"There has been a huge change in the interest and acceptance in alternative medicine, certainly over the last 20 years," she said.
Pets appear to respond well to chiropractic care
By Jennifer Kostka
Herald Staff Writer
China, a 10-year-old black Labrador mix, looked back at Jay Komarek, a Durango chiropractor, and seemed to smile after a small pop sounded from her left hind leg.
China had a new bounce in her aging step after her 15-minute monthly session with Komarek on March 5.
Jay Komarek gives an adjustment to Gus, a 140-pound Great Pyrenees, on March 5, in the home office of veterinarian Nancy Van Dover.
Actually, China was lucky to have any step at all. Three and a half years ago, she was paralyzed in her hind legs after a tree branch fell on her. Now, after two years of Komarek’s chiropractic sessions, China’s owner, Jan Bovee, of La Plata County, credits Komarek’s hands for China’s life.
"All this treatment is what’s keeping this dog alive," Bovee said. "We just figured we’d lose her."
Komarek, one of nine chiropractors in his family, became interested in practicing chiropractic medicine on pets when he was 8 and saw a horse receive care.
"It just amazed me that you could do this with a horse," said Komarek, who appeared on The Today Show in 1999 adjusting horses.
Now, Komarek has chiropractic offices in Durango and Boulder and travels all over the country to treat animals.
Applying pressure
Komarek, who graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore., in 1977, said that chiropractors believe the body can heal itself for the most part if the nervous system is free. By applying pressure to joints and freeing the nerves that run throughout joints and the spinal cord, chiropractic medicine allows the nervous system to operate.
Komarek first began practicing on race horses, which needed adjustments after running in the same direction around a track.
"Adjusting a horse really is work," Komarek said.
To treat a horse, Komarek picks up one of the horse’s hind legs and rotates the hip joint to determine the leg’s range of motion. If the range of motion is limited, Komarek locates the problem, steps up on a stool to reach the horse’s back and adjusts the area with all of his strength until the joint falls into place.
The work is similar on dogs and cats. Komarek starts moving their hind legs to determine where bones are locked or have restricted motion. He gradually works up the spine to the front legs and neck with the goal of creating a free-moving spine.
"We want them to be able to do the hula," Komarek said.
Dangerous Flower
Komarek said he has never been bitten or kicked while treating an animal. However, Flower, a Chihuahua in La Plata County, scares him worse than any horse or dog he has ever treated. Flower wears a muzzle during sessions, Komarek said, and over time, Flower, who was abused as a puppy, has learned to tolerate Komarek. Other than Flower, Komarek said he has a natural way with animals that helps him administer treatment.
Chiropractic care can be a good alternative for pet owners over expensive tests or surgeries, he said. In Durango, Komarek charges $65 per session for a horse and $45 for a dog. Animals usually must return to Komarek every two months.
Many of the owners who bring their animals to Komarek swear by his services. Almost every session ends with a hug between Komarek and the owner.
Carolyn and Susan Eckard, both of Durango, bring their 140-pound Great Pyrenees, Gus, to Komarek regularly. Gus was abandoned by his owner, and the Eckards adopted him. When they took Gus in, he could barely walk. Now, after about four of Komarek’s sessions and a combination of other treatments, including acupuncture and vitamins, Gus is just a little slow getting up.
"He’s been dragging," Carolyn Eckard said before Gus’ March 5 session. By the end of the 15-minute session, Gus was walking with more ease and panting happily.
Cherie Hughes brings one of her Saint Bernards, Patches, to Komarek regularly. Patches is 8 years old, and Hughes said that St. Bernards rarely live to be older than Patches.
"She’s the first St. Bernard in a number of years that we’ve had that has lived past 8," Hughes said, "and (Komarek) thinks he can give her a couple more."