Dr. Stephanie Simonson was raised in Dallas, Texas where she showed Saddlebreds in 10 and under classes. She played Polo, while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University. Then, while attending The University of Georgia, Dr. Simonson found an off the track thoroughbred mare and began competing her in Horse Trials. After earning a Master of Science degree from UGA, she took her mare to Lexington, Kentucky for more training. During Dr. Simonson’s time in Kentucky, she was an exercise rider at Keeneland Racetrack, and also assisted in the veterinary care and management of 13 Colts and Fillies. In addition, she was a “Showman” showing colts and fillies at the reputable Fasig-Tipton Sale. She also, was an Assistant Barn Manager at The Vinery, managing and caring for 24 broodmares and prepping them for sales. Dr. Simonson, then returned to Texas, to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. While attending Texas A&M, Dr. Simonson was one of the students caring for one of two horses who was diagnosed with ivermectin toxicity. This ground breaking Ivermectin Toxicity Case was presented at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, to inform practitioners that ivermectin may cause toxicity, which can be life threatening. Moreover, she co-authored a paper with Gwendolyn Carroll, DVM reporting “Recent Developments in Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Cats”.
Dr. Simonson became interested in Acupuncture and Chiropractic when she scheduled regular treatments for her event mare, Seri, and her golden retriever, Dabney. Seri had a rotational fall in the pasture resulting in fractured vertebrae and nerve damage to her cervical spine. Conventional medicine allowed her to heal, but not completely. Acupuncture decreased Seri’s inflammation and chiropractic care increased her mobility. Consequently, her mare began to excel in the sport. And, Dabney was active and happy, playing at the barn and going on trail rides with the horses until the age of 17. Dr. Simonson was so fascinated with the results, she asked Dr. Gwen Carroll, whom is certified in acupuncture, to perform regular treatments on her rescued golden, Morgan, after she underwent a TPLO (knee surgery), a splenectomy and two mammory tumor surgeries. Morgan lived to be 16 years old. After graduating from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Simonson worked in a traditional mixed animal practice where she examined numerous horses and dogs that needed Acupuncture and Chiropractic treatments, due to trauma, injury, paralysis, illness. The treatments also benefit performance horses competing in Eventing, Dressage, Jumping, Driving, Barrel Racing, Reining, and Cutting. So, she enrolled in the Chi Institute for Chinese Medicine for Veterinary Acupuncture and became certified in 2009 and the Parker School of Chiropractic and became certified in 2010.
After becoming certified in Acupuncture and Chiropractic, Dr. Simonson opened her own Equine Veterinary Practice in Aiken, SC. As an equine veterinarian as well as a competetitor in several disciplines, she developed an eye for lameness, and an expertise in diagnosing lameness issues, with Acupuncture and Chiropractic complementing the treatment of various lamenesses. Dr. Simonson has treated Eventers, Hunter/Jumpers, Dressage horses, Polo ponies, Driving ponies, Fox Hunters, Cutters, Reiners, Barrel Racers, Trail horses, and the endearing retired and rescued horses. She has treated FEI Dressage Horses, Hunter/Jumpers and Driving Ponies. She has also performed treatments on Eventers in training with Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton. Dr. Simonson not only focuses on adjusting vertebrae that are misaligned, but great attention is given to overall movement in the horse, relieving muscle spasms, addressing tight fascia, and encouraging relaxation, which she believes helps benefit the horse even further. Her main interests and specialties are lameness, podiatry and nutrition, along with Acupuncture and Chiropractic, so she is competent in diagnosing subtle issues, that decrease or can increase overall horse performance.
Dr. Simonson also began performing Acupuncture and Chiropractic on agility and show dogs, as well as arthritic dogs and those suffering from an illness or injury. In addition, cats respond remarkably well to both modalities. For example, a Chiropractic adjustment can help male cats with regularity, as well as, the active ones who are constantly playing and hunting.
Based in Aiken, South Carolina, Dr. Simonson is licensed and available to practice in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
She spends time training her horses for horse trials as well as playing with her two Golden Retrievers, all of whom bring a smile or a giggle.
Morgan
Dabney