The Team

Meet The Team

Sonja Galloway, EDO, CDO

From a young age my passion has always been horses. My journey with horses began in Anchorage, Alaska when my parents bought me a yearling filly. That day started my future. As the filly grew, she began to display significant pain and behavioral issues from an unknown cause. My parents and I worked with numerous veterinarians, but could not find a pathological reason. Thus we began to seek out more holistic methods such as acupuncture, bodywork, and natural dietary support. These modalities diminished her pain, and significantly reduced her behavioral problems, creating a happier horse with a more willing disposition. This was my awakening; a moment in time when I realized I had a passion for helping horses by using bodywork, herbs, and holistic methods.
 
Following high school I attended Colorado State University, graduating with a major in Equine Science and a minor in Biomedical Science. Immediately upon earning my Bachelor of Science at CSU, I became certified in equine massage therapy and kinesiology taping.
 
At this point I was offered a job in Wyoming on a horse and cattle ranch to manage their herd of 120 horses; a herd that included broodmares, young horses, studs, horses in training for ranch work, and riding horses. I accepted the position, and over the next four and a half years acquired additional training and skills working with horses in a more natural environment. Because of this work I became better equipped to observe, assess, and develop strategies aimed at relieving distress and correcting problems. I became a better horse woman during this endeavor, and my root passion for helping horses feel their best compelled me to expand my skillset even further. I enrolled in one of the most rigorous and internationally respected equine osteopathy programs: The Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy and Education. Over three years of intense training I was challenged in countless ways, and my knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics of the horse expanded greatly. I graduated from the institute and IREO (International Registry for Equine Osteopaths) receiving my EDO (equine diplomate of osteopathy) in 2021. I went back to get certified for canine osteopathy and am practicing as a Canine Diplomate of Osteopathy (CDO).
 
I currently help my husband with our cattle operation, and I work as an equine and canine osteopath. My commitment to lifelong learning is a promise to myself and every horse I touch that I will always seek the best ways to visualize their need, and help them restore vitality, mobility, and partnership.

Partnerships

Veterinary Support

There are times when it’s in the best interest of your animal to involve your veterinarian. I work with multiple veterinarians in my area, and am happy to make referrals. I am also willing to reach out to your veterinarian and work in partnership with him or her. If your horse is significantly lame or acts ill, please have a veterinarian look it over first to make sure there are no major issues going on. Osteopathy can be a wonderful compliment to veterinary medicine, but it is not a substitute. Some of the common reasons osteopaths partner with veterinarians might include the need for x-ray, ultrasound, pelvic room exam looking for pathologies or mobility restrictions, injections, and dentals.

Practitioners

It takes a village to maximize your horse’s health and wellbeing. It is best to keep open minds, and communicate with all your animals’ providers including veterinarians, farriers, dentists, trainers, nutritionists, saddle fitters, and other bodyworkers.

Interested in working together?

If you are a veterinarian or practitioner who is interested in learning more about osteopathy, and/or working together, please feel free to contact me. I love discussing horses, and learning from others.