About Dr. Ava Frick

Dr. Ava Frick

Veterinarian, Speaker, Author

At three, I knew I would be an animal doctor; not that I ever made a decision for that to be my purpose. Perhaps, it simply exists in my spiritual DNA, because my passion to save lives never has waned. In fact, it has expanded beyond my being a “doctor.” Importantly, three significant events shape-shifted me into the healer that I am today: an accident, an attack, and a sports mishap. A horse accident when I was nine helped me realize that I am more than a body. Near death, I watched from above as my parents stood helplessly over my nearly lifeless body. I consciously decided to return, wanting to learn more about living.

In 1985, an attack from a large dog at a veterinary hospital where I worked left me facing two surgeries on my left arm. Oddly, the experience left me more compassionate toward animals in need of surgery or hospitalization. Three years later, a women’s soccer match incident blasted my body and left me unable to stand up straight. The next morning, a local Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) adjusted my spine. I walked immediately, and my professional focus shifted.

Today, my mission includes writing, speaking and teaching the world how we might change the healing paradigm for all people and animals on Earth. Motherhood at 39 further altered my perspectives about life, the medical model, my veterinary practice successes and failures; and what my future, and those of my patients, required to not only survive but also flourish. A year later, I attained certification in Animal Chiropractic.

With more than myself to care for, whole-food nutrition took a front seat. I immersed myself into the work of Dr. Royal Lee. What organ and body system needs which vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and the like, and how these can be utilized to improve body function peaked my interest every evening after my son was in bed. By 2002, Lee’s company, Standard Process, Inc., asked me to represent them to veterinarians across America. I stayed on as a marketing consultant for several years.

As my depth of understanding of nutrition and organ function deepened, physical-therapy and pain-management conferences became my arena of choice. While safety studies had been done on animals, no veterinarian had studied and applied the benefits of Alpha-Stim Microcurrent Therapy to animals. In short order, Electromedical Products International named me their Veterinary Medical Director. Recognition as the world’s leading authority in veterinary microcurrent therapy came with the publication of my first article on the subject in 2005 in the pages of the international Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (JEVS) by Elsevier.

The next decade was a whirlwind of successes

In 2006, I was Hartz Mountain Veterinarian of the Year Runner-Up. Their award honors veterinarians who demonstrate outstanding commitment to patients, their families, and their communities.
2007 saw my book Fitness in Motion: Keeping Your Equine’s Zones at Peak Performance published by the prestigious Lyons Press.
Moving online my continued focus on whole-food nutrition, I lectured to veterinarians across the nation, complemented my line of learning DVDs.
2013 found me selected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Stress and published for my human-animal-bond articles for their magazines, Combat Stress and Contentment.
I introduced my Tai Chi-huahua low-impact-exercise program at a conference in 2016.

In November 2015 Dr. Frick was awarded the honor of being inducted into the Animal Chiropractic Hall of Fame. She was one of the first 4 selected to receive this distinguished recognition from doctors (certified chiropractors or veterinarians) practicing internationally in the field of animal chiropractic. This award was voted on by her peers and is based on contributions made to the development of this profession over the past 25 years.

For all that success, however, I was a living conundrum: How could I convince people that I really knew what I knew? That I could, indeed, see beyond the obvious? How would I put into words what I sensed when looking at an animal, seeing in their posture or gait what most others do not, cannot, or will not! As well as what that condition was doing to their other body parts.

Not many general-practitioner veterinarians, excluding university professors, have had a book published by an international company; or been published four times in leading veterinarian journals and once in a scientific-research journal. Few, if any, have represented two major, industry-related companies while still practicing veterinary medicine. Who else has lectured across America, established nutritional courses for students worldwide, and become a pioneer in animal rehabilitation?

Dodging many arrows from my industry with tenacity, I have kept fresh my focus on my purpose and my vision in pursuit of new and innovative solutions. I have found unique ways to offer desperate people – animal owners – renewed hope and reassurance that something, indeed, can be done about their ill or injured animal’s or pet’s condition.

Because pivotal incidents in my life enhanced my ability to observe and to know what I am observing, I am expert today in chiropractic, whole-food nutrition, microcurrent therapy, and exercise physiotherapy. Still, not one to believe everything that I was taught was gospel, my conviction remains to seek and learn more, accepting responsibility for the knowledge that I study and own and transferring my confidence to each animal owner willing to believe in me and what I know.

Although accustomed to informing clients that their pets have a disease condition, a recent diagnosis of my own condition of Lyme Disease has pushed me to learn more about Lyme. I am dealing with “creatures” lurking within my body. Needing more facts and answers, yet not wanting to fuel my enemy, I have begun a new adventure. Parallel to my treatments with dogs – I deal with their ups and downs and mood changes – I now treat my own!

From the less-than-optimal situations that have happened in my life, I gleaned and do apply a formula for decision-making:

Take responsibility for what has happened.
Assess the situation and discover what caused it, to avoid getting into a similar situation. (“What did I do or not do that got me to this point?”).
Find a solution or a way to deal with it and …
Ask myself, “What do I now do to help (two- and four-legged) others?”.

My formula moves me away from “dis-ability” to “respons-ability,” enabling me to respond quickly and effectively and to change a wrong course for the better. I am tackling Lyme and making Lymeade for myself and others!

Charities & foundations supported by Dr. Frick

Kiwanis International: Kiwanis International brings the world together — one community at a time. Dr. Ava Frick has been both a past officer and president of Union, Missouri Kiwanis Club.
Toys for Tots: Dr. Frick has participated in the Toys for Tots Literacy program, where they provide reading books to kids and teens.
Franklin County Humane Society: Dr. Frick received the Visionary Award in 2004 for her volunteer work with the Franklin County Humane Society.
Environmental Rescue Alliance: Their 100% Green Technology helps solve water pollution and restores the natural aquatic plant and animal life.

Dr. Frick’s Animal Programs and Seminars

Dr. Ava Frick’s topics are as varied as the talents she possesses. She educates and entertains pet owners, horse trainers, veterinarians, and just about anyone interested in helping themselves or their animals. Ava can improve your understanding of nutrition, herbs, pain management, animal chiropractic and rehabilitation.

Balancing the autonomic nervous system by utilizing all of these modalities is her passion in practice and she blends this interesting perspective into many of her presentations. For the veterinarian, Ava addresses how to better implement, promote and market these new facets into their particular hospital setting and style.

Dr. Frick has had a life of challenging accomplishments. She has authored many magazine and newspaper articles, hosted two radio talk shows and has done many hours of public speaking. Her originality, energy and enthusiasm make each presentation most enjoyable.

“May we utilize our knowledge, talents, and tools to relieve pain and restore fitness for those animals to which we are entrusted.”

Past Events

The Natural Pet Care Summit
Senior Dog Summit: Harness Fit for Senior Dogs
Dog Detox
Dr. Ava Frick presented virtually on September 23-26 at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Ava Frick presented virtually on November 13-15 at Base Camp Pro, which a conference organized by the Animal Chiropractic Education Source.

Animal Presentations

Dr. Ava Frick presenting the “Perils of Parasites”

Dr. Ava Frick holds a variety of seminars, including the following:

Helping Dogs Age Gracefully - Identify where aging begins for your breed, what can be done to improve and extend their health and quality of life at home, conditions and diseases to be aware of, therapies and products that help and some that hinder. We may also touch on knowing when to say good-bye.
Emergency Care You Can Do - This is an interactive program. Bring your dog, stethoscope, thermometer, and any other tools you have in question! We will cover many emergency situations including training in CPR, vital signs, bandaging, etc.
Resolving Animal Pain - There are many ways to eliminate pain other than chemical drugs. Learn about types of pain, how to recognize it in animals and what is available for alleviating pain at home as well as therapy.
The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Pet - Yes, dogs and cats can have problems with stress too. Nervous, afraid of thunderstorms and other loud noises, fear biter, aggressive towards people or other animals, over grooming, self-mutilation, these are but a few of the symptoms. Learn why and what can be done to reduce the cause.
Building a Better Body - Conditioning from the inside out that will help every dog owner. Foods, diets, exercise, supplements, what to do and what to watch out for. Interactive=bring a dog.
Caring for the Canine Athlete - Why are some dogs better at sports than others? What can give my dog the edge? What can I do to help? These and an array of other questions will be addressed during this session. Also how to keep the athlete free from injuries. Interactive=bring a dog.
Using Herbs for Health - This topic would cover an explanation of herbs, how they vary, how to read labels, and using some specific products for conditions of health and disease.
Support and Supplements for Cancer Patients - There is much that can be done to help your pet with cancer aside from radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. Learn what is available and how to apply it to your pet’s condition.
Color Your Pet Healthy - This is a look at keeping optimal health for the young and bringing life back for those older or disease pets. This topic covers nutrition, exercise, diseases, chiropractic, acupuncture and vaccination concerns.
Fitness in Motion, Dogs - This course is designed to provide a detailed description, demonstration and overview of many of the stretches and exercises for dogs used to help improve body function, health, and posture.
Using Tissue Mineral Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool - This course is designed for pet owners who want to help their animals by understanding what is available so that they can encourage their veterinarians to implement this tool.
Alpha-Stim Training for Animals - The purpose of this alpha stim training for animals course is to train Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses, Techs, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, and other dedicated animal health enthusiasts from the Professional to the owner on the proper application and use of the Alpha-Stim® device.
Alpha-Stim in an Equine Practice
Integrative Pain Management
Building A Nutrition Practice
Pain & Performance Horses
Fitness in Motion – Horses
Canine Exercises
Supporting Adjustments with Nutrition
Pain Management without the Pill
The Horse Rider Connection
Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Exercises for Horses
Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Exercises for Dogs
Balancing the Autonomic Nervous System
Autonomic and Autoimmune
Recovering a Horse from an Injury
A Systems Approach to Nutrition
Chronic Disease
Clinical Animal Nutrition
Nutrition for an Obese Dog
Nutrition for a Dog with Cancer
Nutrition for Nerves and Pain
Nutrition for Muscles
Nutrition for the Immune System
Nutrition for the Digestive System
Nutrition for Skin and Ears
Nutrition for Adrenal and Thyroid Glands
Nutrition for the Heart
Nutrition for the Kidneys
Nutrition for the Liver and Gall Bladder
Nutrition for Behavioral Issues
Whole Food Nutrition for Dogs
Reading Pet Food Labels
Food Synergy – Bridging the Gap in Food

Testimonals

"I’m so grateful for Loving Hearts referring me to you when I thought I would need to say goodbye to TOBY and MANDY “my special B/T daschunds”. Dr. Frick, you gave me the encouragement and you kept them going for another 1-1/2 yrs or so. After 17 yrs, one doesn’t want to let go, but you assured me it was time. There are not enough ways to say thank you! I truly thank you for being there for us."

Michael and Stephanie D

Barbara P

Click here to view more of her testimonals.