In Stride Chiropractic
Animal Chiropractor in Carrollton, TX
AVCA Certified Animal Chiropractor Serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Area
Why Dr. Katie became an animal chiropractor
Dr. Katie Lackey grew up on horseback. She spent 13 years competing in hunt seat and fell in love with classical dressage when she went to college, embracing a new discipline with the same dedication she brought to everything she did in the saddle. Horses were not just a hobby. They were a defining part of who she was.
Then came the injuries. Three serious head injuries from riding left Dr. Katie struggling with debilitating headaches almost every day for years. She pursued every conventional medical option available. Nothing worked. Modern medicine, by her own account, failed her.
Out of frustration and a refusal to accept that this was simply how her life would feel, she found chiropractic care. It changed everything. The headaches that had defined her daily existence for years began to lift. She felt like herself again.
That experience did not just give Dr. Katie her life back. It gave her a calling.
She had always wanted to serve animals. Chiropractic had given her something that medicine could not, and she wanted to bring that same care to the patients who needed it most and could advocate for themselves the least.
A pivotal moment came at a Parker Power Weekend, where she met Dr. Giggleman, a veterinarian and pioneer in the animal chiropractic field who showed her a path to helping animals that did not require becoming a veterinarian. She never looked back.
Credentials and education
Dr. Katie earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker University in Dallas, one of the most respected chiropractic institutions in the country.
She graduated as salutatorian of the Animal Chiropractic Program, a distinction that reflects not just academic achievement but a genuine mastery of the material that would define her career.
Her credentials include:
-
Doctor of Chiropractic, Parker University
-
Dual Bachelor's Degrees in Human Anatomy and Health and Wellness
-
AVCA Certified Animal Chiropractor
-
Canine Rehabilitation training through the University of Tennessee, one of the most respected canine rehabilitation programs in the country
-
Fascial Distortion Model certification
-
Texas Chiropractic Association member
-
AVCA member
-
Texas Chiropractic License 13520
Dr. Katie has also spoken at the AVCA Annual Conference twice, the premier gathering of animal chiropractic professionals in North America.
Dr. Katie's has been recognized beyond the clinic
When local media and national industry leaders want to talk about animal chiropractic in Dallas, they call Dr. Katie.
CW33 News
Dr. Katie was featured on CW33's Inside DFW segment, bringing awareness to animal chiropractic care and what it means for dog and horse owners in the Dallas area.
Voyage Dallas Magazine
Voyage Dallas profiled Dr. Katie as part of their local leaders series, highlighting her personal journey, her credentials, and her vision for integrative animal care in North Texas.
She Slays the Day Podcast
Dr. Katie joined the She Slays the Day podcast to share her story, her approach to animal chiropractic, and what drives her passion for helping animals live and perform at their best.
AVCA Annual Conference
Speaker Dr. Katie has spoken at the AVCA Annual Conference twice, the premier gathering of animal chiropractic professionals in North America.
These recognitions reflect what Dr. Katie's clients already know. She is not just a practitioner. She is a leader in her field.
Dr. Katie outside the clinic
Dr. Katie understands the world of sport and performance animals because she lives it herself.
She currently competes with her own dog in frisbee, Fast CAT, barnhunt, and dock diving, and is always looking to add new dog sports to their repertoire. She understands the demands of competition life from the inside out, the training schedules, the physical toll, the drive to keep pushing, because she and her dog live it together.
Her equestrian roots run just as deep. After 13 years in hunt seat and two years studying classical dressage in college, she brings a competitor's eye to every horse she sees. She knows what a horse looks like when they are moving freely and what subtle signs suggest something is holding them back, because she has been on both sides of that equation herself.
When Dr. Katie evaluates your animal, she is not just running through a clinical checklist. She is drawing on a lifetime of experience as a competitor, an athlete, and someone who has personally felt the difference that the right care can make.
What You Get When You Choose In Stride Chiropractic
Dr. Katie's approach is built on three core beliefs.
1. The Animal Comes First
Every decision, every care plan, every recommendation is made with the animal's wellbeing as the only measure that matters.
2. The Owner Is Part Of The Team
Before your visit is complete, Dr. Katie teaches you how to support your animal at home between visits. You are not a bystander in your animal's recovery. You are an essential part of it.
3. Care Works Best When It Is Collaborative
Dr. Katie works directly with your veterinarian to make sure your animal receives fully integrated care from every member of their health team. The vet authorization process that Texas law requires is not a hurdle. It is the foundation of a care model that puts your animal's full health picture at the center of every decision.
Dr. Katie built In Stride Chiropractic for the owner who wants more than a quick fix. The owner who treats their animal like family, asks hard questions, and refuses to accept that decline or discomfort is just something their dog or horse has to live with. If that sounds like you, we would love to meet your animal.
Our core values
These are not just words on a page. They are the standard we hold ourselves to with every animal we see and every owner we work with.
Patient Centered Approach
Above all else, the patient comes first. We combine the most current research with our own clinical experience to provide a well-rounded approach to your animal's wellness. We work with owners to build comprehensive care plans that have a lasting impact, not just on how an animal feels today but on their long term health and quality of life.
Health by Choice, Not by Chance
We believe that health is intentional. That means we work best with owners who ask questions, do their homework, and choose proactive care over reactive care. If you are the kind of person who wants to understand the why behind every recommendation, you will fit right in here.
Collaborative, Comprehensive Care
Animal chiropractic and rehabilitation is one important piece of your animal's overall health picture. We work directly with your existing veterinary and care team to make sure every professional involved is working toward the same goal. We are not here to replace any relationship you already have. We are here to make the whole team more effective.
Humility, Accountability, Initiative
Even experts are human. We hold ourselves to a high standard of honesty, directness, and continuous improvement, and we ask the same of our clients. The best outcomes happen when everyone in the room is invested, communicating openly, and focused on the animal in front of them.
Always Learning, Always Improving
The best practitioners never stop growing. Dr. Katie makes consistent investments in continuing education so that every animal she sees benefits from the most current techniques and thinking in the field. Standing still is not an option when the animals in our care are counting on us to be at our best.
Meet Kristyn Torres
Client Manager and Front Desk
Kristyn is the first voice you hear and the person who makes sure every client experience at In Stride Chiropractic runs smoothly from the first inquiry to the last appointment.
Kristyn brings a background that goes well beyond standard front desk experience. She grew up showing cattle, has worked in canine hydrotherapy, and has spent time in canine fitness centers, giving her a genuine understanding of the animal world that her clients live in every day. She knows this community because she is part of it.
At In Stride Chiropractic, Kristyn manages new patient onboarding, coordinates paperwork and veterinary authorization forms, and makes sure every client feels informed and supported before they ever walk through the door. If you have a question before your first visit, Kristyn is likely the one who will answer it.
"Dr. Lackey Has Been So Good"
Dr. Lackey has been so good. We are driving from Farmersville about 40 miles to Carrollton.
She’s well worth the drive! She’s quick to respond if we have questions, and is so sweet and patient with my older pup.
- ASM
Verified Review Google Review
"Chasing Balls And Bubbles Like A Puppy"
Our 11-year-old dog has hip dysplasia, and we were willing to try anything to keep her comfortable. That’s when we found Dr. Lackey. She is incredibly kind and gentle with Maggie, and thanks to her care, Maggie is running and jumping again—chasing balls and bubbles like a puppy.
She’s clearly in much less pain since starting treatment. If you’re looking for a great chiropractor, look no further than In Stride Chiropractic.
- Clarissa H.
Verified Review Google Review
"Couldn't Be Happier With The Care"
We’ve been taking our dog Jack to In Stride and couldn’t be happier with the care he’s received. When we first started going, Jack was having pain just walking, but now he’s doing so much better — even asking to go on walks again! Dr. Lackey is amazing with him.
She takes her time, clearly loves dogs, and really knows her stuff. She’ll even get down on the floor with Jack to help him feel comfortable and relaxed during his session. She also gives us clear, simple exercises to do at home and uses a variety of innovative treatments in the office. We’re so grateful for the difference she’s made — highly recommend In Stride to anyone who loves their dog!
- Seph J.
Verified Review Google Review