Tennessee bill would allow human chiropractors to practice on animals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill making its way through the Tennessee legislature would allow for human chiropractors to practice on animals.
Brought by Bedford County Representative and House Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville), HB 1064 would allow for licensed chiropractors to perform animal chiropractic. Some stipulations of the bill include taking six hours of continuing animal chiropractic education annually, as well as all educational requirements set forth by the board of chiropractic examiners. Further, any chiropractor who wishes to practice animal chiropractic must obtain a certificate in animal chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
According to Marsh, the bill would address the problem of veterinarians 'all of a sudden' saying they want full control of animal care.
'They want the folks that have these animals to bring the animal to the veterinarian first before they take it to an animal chiropractic,' Marsh said during the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, March 25. 'This will add, in my opinion, a lot more expense. If you're taking your dog or horse to a veterinarian first, which is what they want, and then to a chiropractor, you're definitely going to be paying more money. You're going to be paying twice, in my opinion. These are animals, not humans. Even in humans, we don't have to go to a doctor before we go to a chiropractor. This should be left up to the owners of the animal to have a choice.'
Dr. Mary Ergen, a licensed veterinarian in Nashville and executive board member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), spoke out against the bill, saying 'untrained owners and undertrained individuals should not be determining if or why an animal is painful.'
Ergen said there were many reasons why an animal might have pain other than back, neck, or muscle issues, and veterinarians used evidence-based methods to diagnose medical conditions in animals in Tennessee.
'I understand that pets are personal property and owners can do what they want, but we are veterinarians and we have been entrusted by you and the public of Tennessee with the care of these magnificent beings who, unlike my car or TV, do feel pain,' she said.
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Ergen also pointed out animal care teams frequently include 'integrated practitioners such as chiropractors and physical therapists,' as well as owners, groomers, farriers, trainers, breeders, and handlers, but veterinarians 'should be the coach.'
'All we're asking is that, similar to animal physical therapy treatments, animals have veterinary evaluation before starting chiropractic care.
When asked by Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) why she was speaking out against animal chiropractic now, despite Marsh's claims of its being in existence for 'over 100 years,' Ergen said she has seen a number of complaints of animal chiropractors as part of her duties with the AVMA.
Ergen said she understood the desire and ability of producers in the state to take care of their own animals, but cautioned against going straight to animal chiropractic in lieu of a veterinarian for animal medical issues.
'What if you went to the veterinarian and your dog actually had a ruptured cruciate tendon, which is extremely common, and needs surgery? Chiropractic care is not going to benefit that animal at all. You could do chiropractic care for 100 years, and that dog is still going to limp because his knee is blown out,' she said.
Rep. Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough) offered an amendment that would have required any chiropractor wishing to practice on animals to enter into an agreement with a board certified veterinarian as a safety precaution.
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'If something goes wrong, we need that veterinarian to be a part of those decision makings,' she said.
Dr. Michael Towns, a veterinarian in Trousdale County, also spoke out against, the bill, calling it 'the only instance where a licensing board other than the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners will license, certify, and discipline inidividuals to practice veterinary medicine.'
'Allowing human chiropractors to diagnose and treat animal disease is unprecedented, and it will endanger animal health and wellbeing. Human chiropractors do not possess the requisite training, knowledge, expertise, equipment, sedation, and handling requirements to diagnose animal diseases and identify animals that would benefit from chiropractic care or be harmed by chiropractic care,' Towns said. 'This bill sets a dangerous precedent and opens the door to allow the destruction of veterinary medicine. The door that gets cracked open today will get kicked down tomorrow.'
Tiffany Stevens, Executive Director of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, said animal chiropractic could 'make a profound difference' in animals' lives, stressing chiropractic was not veterinary medicine but could work hand-in-hand with chiropractic to enhance animals' lives.
Richard Cole, a Memphis chiropractor, also supported the bill, saying it was a clear representation of 'freedom of choice' for pet owners.
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'This bill establishes competency standards for veterinarians and chiropractic physicians who wish to provide chiropractic services to animals,' Cole said of the bill.
Cole also noted animal chiropractic is growing in popularity, and the bill would allow pet owners better choices for their beloved pets' care. He further argued chiropractors possessed the same diagnostic capabilities as veterinarians or physicians.
Ultimately, Marsh's bill passed out of the agricultural committee and will next be heard by the House Health Committee. The Senate version of the bill also passed out of committee and will next be heard by the Senate Calendar Committee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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