Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT) is the term used for veterinarians who train alongside chiropractors to use manual therapy on the spinal cord and joints of the horse’s body.

VSMT exams and treatments are often used in conjunction with a lameness or performance examination, as well as during rehabilitation from injuries. We also use VSMT to improve overall body comfort in retired or geriatric horses. The frequency of treatments will be recommended based on the findings and goals of each individual horse.

WHAT WE OFFER

OUR VSMT TEAM

Dr Tovah Caldwell and Dr Marisa Markey have both taken advanced training through the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre to be able to perform VSMT for their patients. Both use this as a tool to help aid in overall comfort, biomechanical function, and to optimize performance. 

Tovah Provides Horse Spinal Manipulation (Our VSMT Team)

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

    Tovah grew up the typical horse crazy little girl. Mucking stalls on weekends in exchange for riding lessons and spending weekends at horse shows.  This love for horses started early and eventually led her to the Atlantic Veterinary College where she graduated in 2009.   After graduation, Tovah completed an internship at Littleton Equine Medical Center and thereafter spent several years in equine practice in Southern Ontario working alongside Dr. Samantha Molson and Dr. Marisa Markey.   In 2022, she moved to Calgary for a teaching role at the University of Calgary School of Veterinary Medicine.  Realizing she desperately missed full time practice and missed her colleagues even more, Tovah returned to Ontario in 2025 to join forces with Dr. Molson and Dr. Markey to create Full Circle Equine Veterinary Services. 

    Tovah enjoys all aspects of equine practice and general care, but has a special interest in sport horse medicine, particularly lameness, performance issues, and understanding how spinal pain (back/neck) affects behaviour and performance.  She is certified in both veterinary spinal manipulation therapy and medical acupuncture, and uses these therapies to complement her medical treatment plans.  Tovah loves the variety that ambulatory practice provides and also enjoys dentistry, medical work ups, wellness and urgent care.  She thrives when working with horse owners to create unique treatment plans tailored to the individual goals of the horse and rider.

     Tovah cares deeply about creating a sustainable equine practice for veterinarians, technicians, support staff and clients.  She completed a Masters degree in Leadership at the University of Guelph in 2020, studying how mindfulness can support career longevity and wellbeing for equine veterinarians   This led her to become a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction facilitator which she offers to support the veterinary community.  She has a love for this profession and is so excited to be a part of Full Circle Equine. 

    When not working you can find Tovah enjoying the local hiking trails with her partner, taking in a hot yoga class, or working out at a ridiculously early hour. 

    • FEI Official Veterinarian Course - 2024

    • Equine Instructor at the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center - 2016 to Present

    • Vet PD Advanced Dental Extractions - 2024

    • Masters in Organizational Leadership - 2020

    • CuraCore Veterinary Medical Acupuncture - 2016

    • FEI Treating Veterinarian - 2015 - present

    • Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center - 2015

    • Numerous advanced diagnostic imaging courses 2010 - present

    • Littleton Equine Medical Center internship - 2009-2010

    • Atlantic Veterinary College 2005-2009

Marisa Provides Horse Spinal Manipulation (Our VSMT Team)

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

    Marisa enjoys all aspects of equine medicine and has a special interest in horse behaviour and mental wellbeing, dentistry, veterinary spinal manipulation therapy, and field surgeries. 

    Marisa grew up in Burlington, Ontario and was hooked on horses from a young age. She started riding arabian show horses and her show career took her all over Ontario, the Northeastern USA, and out to Canadian Nationals in Saskatchewan. Looking back, she knows her love of ground work and horse behaviour science started with those arabian horses. She attended the University of Guelph gaining a Bachelor of Science, Animal Biology in 2008. Shortly after graduating she worked as a veterinary assistant at a busy equine practice and fell in love with equine veterinary medicine. Marisa then attended the Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2015. After graduation she completed a busy and incredible one year internship at Moore Equine in Calgary, Alberta, and stayed for another year as an associate veterinarian. Marisa then came home to practice in Ontario and be closer to family. That same year she married a wonderful man who has supported her through this entire crazy journey. Through her years of practice Marisa has grown to love all aspects of primary equine care, with special passion for veterinary spinal manipulation therapy, geriatric care, dentistry, field surgeries, and equine behaviour. In 2021 Marisa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in the middle of the pandemic, completing their family. In 2023 Marisa started to apply her continuing education in fear-based behaviours in horses, as well as the fear free approach to equine veterinary medicine, to help her patients overcome phobias and fear responses. 

    When not working, Marisa can be found being Mom, spending time with her family and wonderful rescue dog, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

    • Fear Free Certification - 2023 

    • Fear Based Behaviours in Horses (IAABC) - 2020

    • Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre - 2019

    • Dental Extractions VetPD course - 2018

    • Moore Equine/University of Calgary combined internship - 2015-2016

    • Ontario Veterinary College - 2011-2015