Meet Dana Hollandsworth
Doctor of Chiropractic, professor, researcher, and competitive equestrian bringing certified animal chiropractic care to Denton and North Texas DFW.
Animal Chiropractic Journey
Hi! I’m Dana. Thank you for stopping by.
This is the short version of my journey. I would be glad to share more if you have any questions.
While I did not initially plan to help animals with chiropractic care, it is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. My love for animals started way back when I was a child. I grew up with cats and loved them. I also dreamt of living on a farm one day and always wanted a dog and a horse. Some of those dreams have come true.
As many times as I tried, I could not convince my parents that a dog and a horse were good pet options. So I found other ways to be around them. I was that person who said “Hi” to every dog I met and I still sometimes greet people’s pets before I greet them.
My early equine experience was mostly earned in sweat equity. To be able to take riding lessons, I used to ride my bike miles to the barn and worked in exchange for opportunities to ride. Looking back, I would not have had it any other way. It was worth every ounce of sweat!
Animals Are Great Teachers
How My Dogs Changed Everything
I stopped riding when I went off to college. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Movement Science, I continued my education at Parker College of Chiropractic. It was there that I first learned animal chiropractic existed.
During my internship in my last year of Chiropractic College, I adopted my first two dogs both Boxers. We found out the boys had some health concerns and I wanted to see what integrative care options might exist for them. Luckily we had a veterinarian who also adjusted, so I tried having them adjusted and they had excellent results.
You might be wondering why I did not just adjust them myself. Well, as you might guess, animal and human anatomy are not the same. While they share many similarities, there are important differences in joint biomechanics and anatomical structures. Since I have a lot of respect for the nuances of adjusting competency, I was not going to guess without formal training.
Our Boxers lived a great life and I am forever grateful for what they taught me. Since then, my household has grown. I now share my home with my husband and our three very active girls a pointer mix, a German Shorthair Pointer, and a Boxer/Great Dane/Doberman mix who are self-appointed master squirrel hunters. They take their job very seriously! The girls also enjoy backyard agility training, learning new tricks, wrestling with each other, and of course, getting their chiropractic adjustments.
Professional Chiropractic Journey
From Human Practice to the Classroom to the Barn
My husband and I first started in human chiropractic practice in 2010, in Washington State, and then life took us to Illinois. Our practice focused on helping people function better for life, and we enjoyed serving the communities we were in.
There came a time when I had a strong desire to contribute to the chiropractic profession differently. When an opportunity presented itself to teach professionally, I knew I had to take it. We moved to Texas so that I could follow my new career journey as a Professor teaching in the Chiropractic College at a University.
In 2016, I started a project in collaboration with a veterinarian colleague, involving the integration of new teaching technology into the animal chiropractic program at our University. That project was the beginning of my professional journey into this wonderful world of animal chiropractic. Since then, I have had the honor to assist with the animal chiropractic program and work with an international team investigating how to measure the force and speed used when canines and equines are adjusted.
“This project and program have provided the perfect opportunity for me to reconnect with my love for animals in a whole new way.”
Training and Certification
Certified in Animal Chiropractic
My life has taken me in and out of the equine world since the late 90s, but I never lost my appreciation for that special connection I feel with horses. After a realization that my life is most in balance when I am regularly at a barn and around animals, I followed through on my desire to complete the Animal Chiropractic Continuing Education program through Parker University.
I then completed the examination process to become certified in animal chiropractic by the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).
I started Smooth Transitions Chiropractic, PLLC to share chiropractic care with our wonderful local animals. It turns out that while there are many human chiropractors, there are not nearly as many animal chiropractors and animals can absolutely benefit from chiropractic care!
I feel so fortunate that my love for animals, my passion for teaching and learning, and my experience with chiropractic care can be combined to help our four-legged friends feel better, move better, and perform better. I have found that when chiropractic care is appropriate, animals often respond faster than humans. It is incredible to see the benefits they experience.
Equestrian Competitive Riding
I Understand Your Horse Because I Ride Too
In 2020, I got back in the saddle and started riding and taking regular lessons at a local Show Jumping barn. This has been invaluable in deepening my understanding of my clients’ needs.
I am often able to connect at another level to their under-saddle, ground work, and horsewomen and horsemen challenges. Being competitive in the English sport horse world myself, I understand the challenges, struggles, successes, and joy of building that partnership with your horse. I know what those big and small wins feel like.
When I am not teaching, working, or with my family, you can find me at the barn, on a trail ride, or at a show with my young gelding, soaking up all of the struggles and wins that come with the journey. I also think Barrel Racing and Pole Bending look like a blast!
That perspective as a rider, animal owner, and chiropractor is something I bring to every visit. It shapes the way I listen, the way I assess, and the way I communicate with my clients.
Credentials
Education and Certifications
- Master of Science in Higher Education Administration Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce TX · 2021
- Doctor of Chiropractic Parker College of Chiropractic, Dallas TX · 2010
- Bachelor of Science in Movement Science University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL · 2006
- Certified in Animal Chiropractic (cAVCA) Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) of the AVCA · Bluejacket OK · 2022
- Animal Chiropractic 220-Hour Continuing Education Completion Parker University, Dallas TX · 2022
This is an abbreviated version of Dana’s education and training. Her full CV is available by request.
Academic and Research Work
Research and Publications
Dana Hollandsworth stays involved in teaching and research involving adjusting forces used in both humans and animals. Below are some of the publications and conferences she has contributed to. Note: She is a fan of research that is very low risk and does not participate in invasive studies.
- De Luca K., McDonald M., Montgomery L., Sharp S., Young A., Vella S., Holmes M., Aspinall S., Brousseau D., Burrell C., Byfield D., Dane D., Dewhurst P., Downie A., Engel R., Gleberzon B., Hollandsworth D., Nielsen A., O’Connor L., Starmer D., Tunning M., Wanlass P., & French S. COVID-19: how has a global pandemic changed manual therapy technique education in chiropractic programs around the world? Chiropr Man Therap. 2021 Vol. 29 No. 7.
- Armstrong D., Naquin A., Hollandsworth D. Impact of Force-Sensing Table Technology (FSTT) on student’s self-perceived confidence when learning cervical techniques. J of Chiropr Edu. 2019 Vol. 34 No. 1, p. 90-91.
- Hollandsworth D., Giggleman G., Baggett L., Russell E. Perceived Canine Adjusting Confidence of Multidisciplinary Professionals After Experience in a Simulation Lab: A Preliminary Study. J of Chiropr Educ. 2018 Vol. 32 No. 1, p. 74.
- Hollandsworth D., Armstrong D., Russell E. Influence of open-lab attendance on student performance using force sensing table technology (FSTT). J of Chiropr Educ. 2017 Vol. 31 No. 1, p. 64.
- Starmer D., Hollandsworth D. Advances in Education and Research. AVCA Annual Conference Tucson 2019. November 2019.
- Hollandsworth D. Protect your Investment and Enhance your Adjusting. Parker Seminars Orlando, June 2024.
- Hollandsworth D. Optimizing your Adjusting Biomechanics & Adjust like an Athlete. Parker Seminars Vegas, February 2024.
- Hollandsworth D. Optimizing your Adjusting Biomechanics & Adjust like an Athlete. Parker Seminars Dallas, October 2023.
- Starmer D., Hollandsworth D., Adie K. Capacity and Adaptability. AVCA Annual Conference Tucson 2022.
- Guist B., Carinci M., Choi G., Hollandsworth D., McClendon C., Ludwig M. Enhancing Student Education in Labs with Educational Technology. ACCRAC San Diego 2022.
- Starmer D., Hollandsworth D., Adie K. The Force Within You. AVCA Annual Conference Tucson 2019.
- Starmer D., Hollandsworth D., Russell E., Wilson J., Grande S., Bartosik A., Lardon A. Assessing competencies in the performance of spinal manipulation. ACCRAC Baltimore 2019.
- Starmer D., Adie K., Hollandsworth D., Teasdale R. Manipulation Force-Time Characteristics Across Spinal Regions of Canines. AVCA Annual Conference Dallas 2018.
- Hollandsworth D., Lester S., Russell E., Wilson J. The Force Within You: Using Force-Time Profiles in Chiropractic Education. ACCRAC Dallas 2018.
- Internal Research Support Fund, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, $10,000. “Manipulation force-time characteristics across spinal regions of canines using mannequin simulators.” September 2017.
Ready to Schedule? Let’s Connect.
I consider it an honor to work with a veterinarian’s referral to offer mobile chiropractic care to animals in the Denton, Argyle, Pilot Point, Fort Worth, and North Texas DFW area. Reach out to see if you are in our travel range. I am happy to answer any questions you have.
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