Dr. Christie Carlo graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. She spent the next 13 years seeing small animal patients (dogs and cats) in the Chicago western suburbs, Pella, IA, and at a practice on the SE side of Des Moines. Dr. Carlo began searching for options to treat her patients with more than just a pill to manage their pain and discomfort associated with surgery, injury, and age. She became certified in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy from the Canine Rehab Institute (CRI) in 2010 and certified in Veterinary Chiropractic from Health Pioneers Institute in 2023. Pawsitive Strides was a perfect fit for Dr. Carlo to do a deep dive into taking care of all pets with pain and mobility issues.

Dr. Carlo enjoys being able to offer all facets of canine and feline rehabilitation medicine. These include, but are not limited to: massage therapy, underwater treadmill (hydrotherapy), intra-articular joint injections, stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), shockwave therapy (ESWT), laser therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (e-stim), Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF), musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluations, therapeutic ultrasound, nutritional consults, Nutrition Response Testing (NRT), whole food nutritional supplements, exercise therapy, myofascial trigger point-dry needling, and assistive devices such as working with Exopets and Therapaw. Orthotics (braces) are custom-made for the front and rear legs to support various tendon and ligament injuries or arthritis issues. Prosthetics are an option for pets with deformities or needing lower limb amputations due to injury or cancer. Finally, Dr. Carlo performs veterinary chiropractic treatments along with Applied Kinesiology (AK - known as muscle testing) and is currently learning acupuncture and treating patients for pain, mobility, and neurologic conditions. 

Dr. Carlo is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), the International Veterinary Association of Pain Management (IVAPM), and the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV), and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA). Dr. Carlo also spent time in a 3-year appointment to the board of the AARV as Secretary.

When not learning a new skill to treat our canine and feline family members, Dr. Carlo enjoys walking/hiking, quilting, reading, and traveling to see the many beautiful regions of our country. She lives with her husband, Tim, and two dogs, Toffee and Rocket. Dr. Carlo is looking forward to the opportunity to help your companion feel their best!

Christie Carlo, DVM, CCRT, cAVCA

Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist

Certified American Veterinary Chiropractic Association