Lawton’s Holly Lunsford is a one-of-a-kind veterinarian who has that special touch that brings new joy and life to the animals she treats.
Dr. Lunsford, owner of Lawtonka Animal Chiropractic and Veterinary Hospital in Lawton, opened the clinic three years ago and has been massaging her patients to better health ever since. Lunsford is the only veterinarian in southwest Oklahoma who includes chiropractic services in her practice.
“It (chiropractic service) is the same basic concept as with humans,” she said. “It’s about clearing the nervous system and keeping the body running at tip-top shape. Staying adjusted will optimize the immune system.”
Animals, like people, allow stress to build up in their bodies, but the stress is different.
“For the animals, the stress can be the weather or gravity with their guts hanging down. For instance, a 1,500-pound cow walks around with the gut pulling down on the spine.”
After the animals are adjusted, they typically respond immediately with more pep in their step, especially with dogs who were limping before the adjustments. “Or with horses, they lick a lot and chew,” Lunsford said. “On the other hand, cows will drool and act sleepy (when they feel better).”
Recently, Lunsford adjusted a show heifer prior to a competition. The animal and its owner won first place. “It made that big of a difference,” she said.
Lunsford also provides chiropractic adjustments to show lambs that have experienced bumps in their back. Upon their return to competitions, many of which have won best of show and breed.
The vet makes routine visits to provide maintenance adjustments to farm animals in the Comanche County area. Since animal owners don’t want their cows, horses or lambs to suffer, they turn to Lunsford to provide the magical massages that no other vets in southwest Oklahoma offer.
“Oklahoma City and Tulsa have seen it used before, but I’m the only one in this area who does this,” she said.
Chiropractic adjustments assist cows in giving birth, and can help dairy cows produce more milk and breed better.
“It’s a huge thing,” Lunsford said. “Chiropractic adjustments release stress which releases cortisol.”
Interestingly, Lunsford recently attended a chiropractic class that taught her methods to adjust chickens, ducks and turkeys. During the class, participants learned of a blind study that involved three turkeys which received chiropractic adjustments and three turkeys that were not adjusted.
The study ended with the six turkeys being cooked, but the biggest revelation was that the adjusted turkeys cooked, smelled and tasted better than the turkeys that did not receive the chiropractic adjustments.
Pet maintenance
As the weather begins to hit freezing temperatures, Lunsford warns pet owners to ensure their animals have enough food, water and proper shelter. Earlier this week, temperatures in Oklahoma dipped below freezing as sleet and ice stormed into the state.
“You want to be cautious when taking indoor pets outside,” she said, while recommending those pets stay outside only for a short time during potty breaks. “You need to be careful when the temperatures get into the 20s and teens. Those outdoor animals need a heat source and proper shelter.”
At the same time, freezing temps and cold weather tend to help pets by eliminating most of the tick issues associated with animals.
COVID-19 effects
Lunsford has been busier than usual since March when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S.
“I think it’s people being at home more and seeing more things wrong with their pets and we’re getting more visits,” she said. “The majority of vets said they got busier after COVID.”
Pets are susceptible to contracting COVID, but it’s rare, Lunsford said. “Mainly it’s cats with owners who have had it (virus) and were shut up inside their home for a long period.”
Lunsford was born and raised in southwest Oklahoma. She graduated from Chattanooga High School and attended Cameron University in Lawton for her undergraduate studies. In 2007, she graduated as a veterinarian from Oklahoma State University. She returned and worked in Lawton for more than 10 years before opening Lawtonka Animal Chiropractic and Veterinary Hospital. She received her extra certification in animal chiropractic in 2014. She and her husband Brian have four children and three grandchildren. In her off time, Lunsford enjoys running and coaching her son’s basketball team.