It's a Miracle!
Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

I want to share a story that completely changed my perspective on what's possible in animal care. One of my clients has a 14-year-old Lab mix, and over the past year, the dog's health had been spiraling downhill. What happened next seemed almost too good to be true—but I witnessed it myself, and I believe every dog owner should know about this treatment option.

When Hope Was Almost Lost

This sweet Lab mix had been declining for months. She moved slowly, struggled with stairs, and seemed to be in constant discomfort. Then one day during a walk, she fell and wound up with a dislocated disc in her back. The injury was devastating. After that fall, she could no longer stand or walk, and even getting outside to go potty was becoming a real struggle for both the dog and her owner.

The owner was heartbroken. When your senior dog can't walk, the options seem limited and heartbreaking. The veterinarian had outlined the choices: expensive surgery with no guarantee of success, long-term pain management, or euthanasia. The owner was ready to put the dog down—until I suggested they try something called VOM.

What Is Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM)?

Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation is a healing technology that locates areas of an animal's nervous system that have fallen out of communication and re-establishes neuronal communication, thus inducing healing. It sounds almost too simple to be true, but the results speak for themselves.

VOM is singularly the most simple, effective, and safe healing modality in veterinary care to date. Here's what makes it unique:

A Hybrid Approach

VOM exists in a gray area between both professions—Veterinary and Chiropractic—and benefits from the positive aspects of both. It's a hybrid approach, and thus more effective than either by themselves. VOM is not animal chiropractic care, though they share some similarities.

The Science Behind VOM

VOM works on the principle that many physical problems in animals stem from neurological pathway disruptions rather than purely structural issues. When vertebrae or joints are misaligned, they can interfere with nerve signals. VOM identifies these disruptions and uses specific, controlled techniques to restore proper nerve function.

Think of it like this: your dog's nervous system is like an electrical circuit. When connections are interrupted or signals can't get through properly, various problems can manifest—pain, weakness, loss of coordination, or even organ dysfunction. VOM finds those interrupted connections and re-establishes them.

The Speed of Results Can Be Astonishing

You may see a response while your pet is on the examination table. It can be that fast. An experienced VOM practitioner may have treated cases of animals who haven't walked for weeks, given up for dead, and with one adjustment thrust, the pet stands and walks about the exam room!

Now, not every case produces such dramatic immediate results—but the fact that it's possible shows how powerful this technique can be when the problem is neurological rather than purely structural.

Our Miracle Story

Back to my client's Lab mix: VOM is performed in San Francisco by Michael Schneider, who is also a human chiropractor. For a relatively small sum of money, he will come to your house and do a series of procedures on your dog if you are unable to go to him. This house-call option was perfect for a dog who couldn't walk and would have found a trip to an office incredibly stressful.

The transformation was remarkable. My client's dog is not only standing, but she is running around and not falling down! She is back on her daily walks and is happy and feeling good. This is a dog we thought we might lose to euthanasia just weeks earlier.

As her dog walker, I've seen the difference firsthand. She went from being unable to stand to trotting happily along our regular route. Her quality of life has been completely restored, and she's enjoying her senior years instead of suffering through them.

Conditions That May Respond to VOM

VOM can potentially help with many conditions, particularly those involving:

• Back Problems: Disc issues, vertebral misalignments, spinal pain
• Mobility Issues: Difficulty walking, standing, or climbing stairs
• Lameness: Limping or favoring one leg without an obvious injury
• Hip Dysplasia: Improving function and reducing pain
• Neurological Issues: Nerve-related problems affecting movement or coordination
• Post-Surgical Recovery: Helping animals recover better after orthopedic procedures
• Performance Issues: Working or athletic dogs not performing at their usual level
• Chronic Pain: Long-term pain conditions that haven't responded well to other treatments

How Is VOM Different from Traditional Chiropractic?

While VOM shares some similarities with animal chiropractic care, there are important differences:

• Diagnostic Approach: VOM uses a specific technique to identify where neurological pathways are disrupted
• Treatment Method: The adjustments in VOM focus on restoring nerve function rather than just realigning bones
• Speed of Results: VOM often produces faster results because it addresses the neurological component directly
• Gentler Technique: VOM can be less forceful than traditional chiropractic adjustments
• Holistic Integration: VOM integrates veterinary knowledge with manipulative therapy in a unique way

Is VOM Right for Your Dog?

VOM may be worth considering if your dog:

• Has been diagnosed with a spinal or neurological condition
• Isn't responding well to traditional treatments
• Is facing surgery as the only other option
• Has chronic pain that limits their quality of life
• Suddenly lost mobility after an injury or fall
• Is a senior dog with declining mobility
• Has persistent lameness without a clear cause

The Cost-Benefit Analysis

When facing expensive surgery that may cost thousands of dollars with no guarantee of success, VOM represents a relatively low-cost alternative worth trying. The session fees are a fraction of surgical costs, and there's no anesthesia risk or recovery period.

For my client, the choice was between euthanasia or trying VOM. The VOM treatment not only saved her dog's life but restored quality of life in a way surgery couldn't guarantee. Even if VOM only provides partial improvement, it can sometimes make other treatments more effective or reduce the invasiveness of required procedures.

What to Expect During a VOM Session

Based on what I've learned from my client's experience:

• The practitioner will assess your dog's condition and locate areas of neurological disruption
• Treatment is generally well-tolerated by most dogs
• Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes
• Some dogs show improvement immediately; others need multiple sessions
• The practitioner will provide guidance on follow-up care and exercises
• House calls are available for dogs who can't travel easily

Finding a VOM Practitioner

In San Francisco, Michael Schneider offers VOM services. You can find out more about Michael Schneider and VOM by calling him directly at 415-292-7878.

If you're outside San Francisco, search for certified VOM practitioners in your area. Make sure they have proper training and credentials in this specific technique, as VOM requires specialized knowledge beyond general chiropractic or veterinary training.

Questions to Ask

When considering VOM for your dog, ask:

• How many VOM sessions do you recommend for my dog's condition?
• What percentage of cases like my dog's show improvement?
• How quickly should we see results?
• Do you coordinate care with traditional veterinarians?
• What are the risks or potential side effects?
• Are there exercises or home care we should do between sessions?
• How much will the treatment course cost in total?

A Word About Senior Dogs

Senior dogs are often written off when they develop mobility problems. Owners assume it's "just old age" and that nothing can be done except pain management. VOM challenges that assumption.

Even if VOM doesn't completely cure the problem, improving a senior dog's mobility by even 30-40% can dramatically enhance their quality of life. Being able to walk to the backyard independently, climb into bed, or enjoy a short walk around the block—these things matter enormously to both the dog and the owner.

Combining VOM with Other Therapies

VOM works well alongside other treatments:

• Pain Medication: VOM may reduce the amount of medication needed
• Physical Therapy: VOM can make physical therapy more effective
• Acupuncture: Both modalities address energy and nerve pathways
• Weight Management: Reducing strain on joints helps VOM results last longer
• Supplements: Joint supplements and anti-inflammatories support the body's healing

My Professional Recommendation

After 19 years as a professional dog walker in San Francisco, I've seen countless dogs with mobility issues. I've walked dogs recovering from surgery, dogs on pain medication, and dogs slowly declining despite medical intervention.

What I witnessed with VOM was different. This wasn't just managing symptoms or slowing decline—it was actual restoration of function. For a dog who couldn't stand to one who runs happily? That's not just impressive—it's life-changing.

I now recommend that clients consider VOM before jumping straight to surgery, especially for senior dogs or cases where the cause of the problem isn't entirely clear. At minimum, it's worth a consultation to see if your dog might be a candidate.

This Is Completely Awesome!

When I first heard about VOM, I was skeptical. It sounded too good to be true—a relatively simple technique that could restore mobility in dogs given up as hopeless? But seeing is believing, and I've become a strong advocate based on the real-world results I've witnessed.

If you're facing difficult decisions about your dog's mobility or quality of life, if surgery seems too risky or expensive, or if conventional treatments aren't providing the relief your dog needs, I encourage you to explore VOM. It might just be the miracle your dog needs.

Call Michael Schneider at 415-292-7878 to discuss whether VOM might help your dog. It could be the difference between giving up hope and giving your dog back their quality of life. This is completely awesome!