Veterinary Integrative Performance Services (VIPs Vet)

In Iowa, where the health of companion animals and the performance of competition horses and dogs are highly valued, Veterinary Integrative Performance Services (VIPs Vet) in Robins offers a distinct and highly specialized approach to animal well-being. Founded by Dr. Christine Woodford, DVM, VIPs Vet is not a conventional general practice but a dedicated center for integrative veterinary medicine. This holistic philosophy combines the best of traditional veterinary care with centuries-old, scientifically supported alternative therapies to optimize the health and performance of animals, primarily focusing on horses and dogs.

Dr. Woodford, with over 20 years of experience, established VIPs Vet in 2008 to address the growing need for complementary therapies that focus on the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of animals. The core principle here is to compliment your current primary veterinary care by concentrating on reduced injuries and inflammation, enhanced immune systems, and ensuring proper motion in the spine and limbs. This approach has proven particularly beneficial for performance animals—agility dogs, field trial competitors, jumping horses, and show stock—who see significant advantages in their competitive sports. However, the philosophy of enhancing the quality of life extends just as fully to beloved family pets, including senior dogs and those facing chronic conditions like arthritis or kidney disease.

The practice is celebrated for its personalized attention and effectiveness. For instance, many pet parents report exceptional results, such as one client whose aging dog is still "leaping over bars with no hesitation" thanks to Dr. C’s acupuncture and MagnaWave treatments. Another highly recommends Dr. Christine after seeing a small chihuahua, suffering from debilitating neck problems, find increased range of motion and an end to whining after just a few sessions. This kind of tangible, positive outcome is the hallmark of the integrative and focused care provided at VIPs Vet, making it a highly valued veterinary resource for the community in the Cedar Rapids and surrounding Iowa regions. The clinic's mission is simple: to enhance the quality of life of every patient while providing above-and-beyond service to every client.

The unique suite of services—including specialized chiropractic, acupuncture, MagnaWave, and nutritional planning—allows Dr. Woodford to create customized treatment plans that recognize the individuality of each animal and promote healing at a foundational level. The commitment to holistic, thoughtful listening, and longer appointment times ensures that owners are integral parts of their animal's health story.

Location and Accessibility

Veterinary Integrative Performance Services is centrally located in the Eastern Iowa town of Robins, easily accessible from Cedar Rapids, Marion, and surrounding communities. The practice is situated to conveniently serve clients who travel to utilize their specialized, integrative therapies for their pets and large animals.

The address for the clinic is: 500 W Main St, Robins, IA 52328, USA.

The facility is committed to being welcoming and accessible to all clients and their animals. The following accessibility features are in place to ensure a comfortable visit:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom
• General restroom amenities are available on site.

Given the specialized nature of the services and the personalized care approach, appointments are strongly recommended. Scheduling ahead ensures that Dr. Woodford can dedicate the necessary time and attention to developing and executing a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the specific needs of your animal, whether it’s a performance horse with lameness issues or a senior dog with joint pain.

Services Offered

VIPs Vet specializes in a comprehensive range of integrative and performance-focused veterinary services for both canine and equine patients, as well as show stock, goats, sheep, and other large animals. These services are designed to maximize both the lifespan and healthspan of the animal.

• Veterinary Chiropractic Care: Manual examination and adjustment of the spine, neck, ribs, and limbs for dogs and horses to restore proper motion, optimize the nervous system, alleviate tight muscles, and promote healthy organ function.
• Veterinary Acupuncture: Uses fine needles to stimulate the body’s internal anti-inflammatory cascade and increase circulation, helping to reduce pain, relax sore muscles, support tissue healing, and boost the immune system.
• MagnaWave Therapy (PEMF): Non-invasive Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy used to naturally relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, support tissue regeneration, and speed up surgical recovery, often seen in show circuits for quick performance recovery.
• Cold Laser Treatments: A drug-free, low-level laser therapy to stimulate tissue repair, reduce pain and inflammation, and enhance mobility for conditions like arthritis and post-surgical recovery.
• Nutritional Counseling and Food Therapy: Personalized pet nutrition services, including the use of the latest Animal Diet Formulator software to create complete and balanced customized recipes for all life stages, specific health needs (like kidney disease), and weight management.
• Chinese Herbal Medications: Prescribing Traditional Chinese Formulas to be used alone or integrated with conventional medicine for various acute and chronic health conditions.
• Equine Dentistry: Routine dental care, including floating, to address sharp points, ensure proper jaw alignment (TMJ), and improve overall digestion, performance, and bit comfort for horses.
• Physical Therapy and Rehab: Developing tailored programs, including stretching and core-building exercises, particularly for canine and equine athletes, to aid in injury rehabilitation and pain reduction from conditions like joint pain.
• Consultation for Behavioral Problems: Addressing health and performance issues with a focus on how physical imbalances or pain can contribute to behavioral challenges.

Features / Highlights

VIPs Vet's commitment to specialized, integrative care provides several stand-out features for Iowa animal owners seeking advanced, holistic treatment options.

• Certified Integrative Expertise: Dr. Christine Woodford is certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and certified in Equine Veterinary Acupuncture by the Chi Institute, representing a high level of specialized training beyond conventional veterinary school.
• Performance Animal Focus: The clinic has a proven track record of optimizing the health of competitive animals, helping horses and dogs achieve performance advantages in various demanding sports and disciplines.
• Whole-Body Wellness Philosophy: VIPs Vet practices a truly holistic model, addressing the mental and emotional aspects of health alongside the physical, using methods like acupuncture, chiropractic, and whole-food nutrition to promote healing from within.
• Advanced Non-Invasive Technologies: Utilizing state-of-the-art non-invasive treatments like MagnaWave (PEMF) and Cold Laser Therapy, which effectively manage chronic and acute pain, reduce the need for pain medications, and accelerate tissue healing without invasive procedures or drugs.
• Large Animal Care Capability: While excelling with small animals, the clinic is also equipped and experienced in providing specialized care for large animals, including horses and show stock, filling an important need in Iowa's agricultural and equine communities.
• Personalized Nutritional Solutions: Offering certified expertise in veterinary natural nutrition, including the creation of custom, balanced whole-food recipes, ensuring that diet is used as a powerful tool for preventative care and managing complex health issues.
• High Client Satisfaction: Testimonials consistently highlight the significant improvement in their animals' quality of life, specifically noting increased mobility, reduced pain, and a return to youthful performance, which speaks volumes about the efficacy of the integrative treatments.

Contact Information

To schedule a consultation or learn more about how integrative therapies can benefit your animal's health and performance, please use the contact information below.

Address: 500 W Main St, Robins, IA 52328, USA

Phone: (319) 241-0530

Mobile Phone: +1 319-241-0530

Email: The clinic's website can be consulted for the most up-to-date email or contact form submissions.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Veterinary Integrative Performance Services (VIPs Vet) is a decision to invest in a proactive, specialized, and holistic path for your animal’s health. For Iowans, the practice represents a crucial bridge between traditional Western veterinary medicine and highly effective Eastern and complementary therapies. What makes VIPs Vet truly worth choosing is the depth of specialization: Dr. Woodford’s certifications in chiropractic and acupuncture for animals are not standard offerings and provide a level of expertise few clinics possess. This specialization is particularly vital for performance and senior animals where traditional methods may have reached their limit. The commitment to minimizing drug use in favor of the body’s natural healing mechanisms—through MagnaWave, cold laser, and tailored nutrition—is a key benefit for pet parents seeking fewer side effects and more sustainable health outcomes. By focusing on root causes of pain and poor performance, not just symptoms, VIPs Vet ensures that your animal is not just getting better, but truly thriving. The glowing reviews from clients who have seen their dogs leap and their chihuahuas move without pain are the most compelling reasons to entrust your animal's performance and general health to this dedicated Iowa practice.

Veterinary Integrative Performance Services (VIPs Vet)

500 W Main St, Robins, IA 52328, USA