Advanced Animal CE instructors offer more than 80 years of experience and instruction.
DR. JAY KOMAREK, DC
Dr. Jay Komarek is a 1977 graduate of Western States Chiropractic College. He has dedicated the past forty-three years of practice to caring for humans and animals alike. The focus of his care centers on restoring mental, emotional and physical well-being in order to optimize human potential. Dr. Jay believes that the role of chiropractic is one of restoring balance in the human body in order that the inherent intelligence within may function without interference. Dr. Jay has had the opportunity to take care of thousands of people and animals and is privileged to witness the benefits of this type of approach. Dr. Jay teaches programs on adjusting and the chiropractic philosophy of healing at universities throughout the U.S.
Animal chiropractic care has also been an integral part of Dr. Jay’s practice since 1977. He has worked with veterinarians nation-wide, providing care for equine, canine and feline clients. His animal chiropractic work has been featured on the “Today Show,” on various podcasts and radio programs, and in multiple magazine articles. In addition to delivering care to his clients, he teaches animal adjusting and the philosophy of animal chiropractic care at colleges world-wide and speaks to groups on the natural health care of animals. He has received multiple awards in recognition of his success in advancing the field of animal chiropractic. Dr. Jay’s work with animals has been most recently chronicled in the award-winning documentary, Life, Adjusted.
DR. PETRA SULLWOLD, DC
Dr. Petra Sullwold graduated from Life West Chiropractic College in 2007 and received her Animal Chiropractic Certification through Options for Animals in 2008. She has been an avid equestrian since age four. Before becoming a Chiropractor Dr. Petra was an Equine Sports Massage Therapist for 10 years.
She currently operates two businesses: Mancos Chiropractic, a three-doctor chiropractic practice for humans and small animals, and Equus Chiropractic which solely focuses on equine chiropractic. She travels all over the state of Colorado adjusting Top Level Competition horses to Backyard ponies. She loves the variety of her work.
“Adjusting a horse reminds me why I love being a chiropractor. They don’t place a limit to what an adjustment can do for them in their performance or well-being.”
Dr. Petra has studied under some of the greatest names in the world of horse health and training, such as: Advanced Adjusting Techniques with Dr. Jay Komarek, Equine Conformation and Anatomy with Deb Bennett, Ph.D., Sport Horse Conditioning with Hilary Clayton, Ph.D, Equine Biomechanics with Barb Crabbe, DVM, Equine Nutritional Management with Dr. Robert E. Bray, and Advanced Saddle Fitting with Dr. Kerry J. Ridgeway, DVM and Master Saddler A.J. Foster. To further her skills, she has participated in multiple Equitation Clinics with Major Miguel Tavora, Master of Equitation a protégé of Nuno Oliviera and Mark Rashid. She is also the chiropractor for Mark Rashid’s horses.
Dr. Petra has a deep passion for chiropractic history and philosophy as it pertains to animal chiropractic. She has spent countless hours at the Palmer Davenport Archives to gain a deeper understanding of animal chiropractic’s past.
In addition, Dr. Petra likes to use her Business and Marketing Degree as well as her expertise gained by working for an advertising agency to help fellow animal chiropractors take their business to the next level. She loves sharing trade secrets that are much more powerful than social media, and helps animal chiropractors connect with their community on a deeper level.
DR. CLAYTON SULLWOLD, DC
Dr. Clayton Sullwold has been in practice for over 15 years. He is a passionate chiropractor who lives his life by the indisputable Laws of Nature and through the Principles of Life which he considers to be the basis of chiropractic philosophy. For eight years Dr. Clayton worked with various neurological and chronic health conditions at his practice Atlas Specific in Durango, Colorado. Cases he has had success with include: Multiple Sclerosis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Seizures, Meniere’s Disease, Migraines, High Blood Pressure, Anxiety and Depression, Fibromyalgia, Dystonia, heart dysfunction, digestive dysfunction, and autoimmune disorders such as Raynaud’s, RA, Sojourns’ Sndrome, and more. He received his advanced Knee Chest Upper Cervical training in 2012 and became part of the elite Blue Angels Society in September 2019. He is an assistant instructor for the Knee Chest Society. Dr. Sullwold loves sharing his knowledge of the upper cervical complex and advancing this understanding to the application of animal chiropractic.
In 2007 Dr. Sullwold graduated from Life Chiropractic College West and completed his animal certification in 2008 from Options for Animals and is certified through the IVCA. He is passionate about animal chiropractic and in 2017-2018 sat on the task force, along with his wife, Dr. Petra Sullwold, that changed the state of Colorado statue for certified chiropractors to have direct access to their animal patients. He currently is co-owner and head doctor at Mancos Chiropractic. An accomplished martial artist, Clayton has studied Okinawan Karate, for the past 20 years and currently holds a fourth degree black belt. In 2018 he developed the Torque & Toggle Gen 2, an upper cervical chiropractic training device. The End.
DR. STEPHEN PETERS, Psy.D., ABN
Diplomate in Neuropsychology and the former Director of Intermountain Health Care’s Center for Brain Health.
For seven years he served as the Director of American Fork Memory Clinic. Dr. Peters is a board-certified Neuropsychologist and spent 15 years in a large Neurology practice in Connecticut before founding the Memory Clinic and Clinic for Brain Health at Utah Valley Hospital. He did his Internship at Danbury Hospital and residency and two year Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Hartford Hospital in the Departments of Neurorehabilitation, Neurology and Neurosurgery.
He is a neuroscientist specializing in brain functioning. As a horse brain researcher, he has given numerous presentations in the U.S. and Canada, performed many horse brain dissections.
Over the past few years, he has worked in conjunction with renowned horseman and clinician, Martin Black, on Evidence-Based Horsemanship. Black’s life-long experience working with hundreds of horses provided significant empirical data for their project. Evidence-Based Horsemanship involves assessing and integrating scientific findings to inform decisions and create best practices in horsemanship. Their scientific findings in the neurofunctioning of the horse’s brain and its application will increase one’s ability to understand and read horses. Their data has been compiled in their book, Evidence-Based Horsemanship, and will benefit all horses and horse owners.
He also collaborates with BHPS director, Maddy Butcher, on HorseHead: Brain Science to Improve Your Horsemanship.
In addition, Dr. Peters recently collaborated with Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson (Masterson Method) on a two day seminar which is currently being made into a dvd.
DR. RYAN (DOC) MARCHMAN, DC
Dr. Ryan is a teacher, healer, and philosopher at The Adjustatorium in Niwot, Colorado. He has trained in both classical and contemporary healing arts since he was a child. As a teacher and speaker he seeks to point people to the wisdom that lies within, showing people the truth of human potential. Following a near-death experience at the age of five, he has dedicated his life to unlocking the mysteries of wellness, illness, and human and animal behavior. He holds an A.S. Degree in Psychology, a B.S. Degree in Health Coaching, and the Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from Life University. His training includes qigong (energy work), both traditional and modern martial arts, reiki, eastern and western philosophy, meditation techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, life coaching, health coaching, classical Chinese massage, neuromuscular therapy, and of course Vitalistic Chiropractic. Dr. Marchman is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association and has been on staff at MLS seminars, traveling and teaching other chiropractors and chiropractic students a masterful and honoring approach to chiropractic adjusting.
DR. BEK JARZOMBEK, DC
Dr. Bek Jarzombek is the owner of Giddy Up Chiropractic and Giddy Up Time 501c3. She is also an equestrian rider and Doctor of Chiropractic for humans and animals. Her primary specialty is horses and riders. She has been in practice since 2016 and adjusted thousands of humans and animals.
Bek received her Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from Life Chiropractic College West and graduated with the highest levels of clinical and academic honors. She was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award for her graduating Summer Class of 2016 and the California Chiropractic Association Outstanding New DC of 2018. Bek has served as the Chair of the Animal Chiropractic Task Force, been a participating member of the Governmental Affairs Committee, served as a board member for CalChiro San Diego District and the Chair of the Women’s Committee. In addition to her human licensure, she has been granted additional certification by American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA); the world leader in animal chiropractic.
Bek’s love of horses and riding started as a little girl. She’s always had a fascination with anything and everything involving speed and a helmet. So much so, her dad gave her the nickname: Lightning. Giddy Up Chiropractic was inspired through the death of her father, when she was 18 years old. His passing sparked her desire to become a doctor. As the years progressed, Bek’s own journey of health ailments from horse riding accidents led her to develop the principle that: “Movement is Life”.
Bek is passionate about advancing the animal chiropractic profession, developing real deal animal chiropractors, and mastering the art of sound (pun intended) business models. She credits her own successes to a willingness to take chances, make mistakes, trust her intuition, and surround herself with people who believe in her.
“It’s never too late to dream big. If there is something you want to accomplish in life and are willing to work hard, anything is possible. Never let roadblocks be the final factor that hinder you from moving forward. Remember that dynamite comes in small packages. Giddy Up.”
DR. IRIS DAVIDSON, DC
Dr. Iris Davidson was serendipitously introduced to Chiropractic by none other than Dr. Jay Komerack, Dr. Petra Sullwold and her husband Dr. Clayton Sullwold while finishing her undergraduate degree in Durango, Colorado. As an avid and multidisciplinary equestrian for most of her life, Iris was already seeking a profession that involved harmoniously working with animals to promote their well-being. Her natural intuition around the physicality of animals coupled with an education that applied chiropractic principles would end up being a perfect fit. Immediately inspired by the style of practice demonstrated by Dr. Jay and Petra, Iris was encouraged to pursue chiropractic school. She graduated from Life West Chiropractic College with honors in 2018 and received her Animal Chiropractic Certification through A.C.E.S. in the same year.
Throughout the chiropractic program she continued to take seminars with Dr. Jay and shadow him when the opportunity presented itself, as well as stay in contact with Dr. Petra. After graduating, she moved back to Durango, Colorado and purchased Durango Animal Chiropractor from Dr. Petra. Iris continues to practice utilizing the skills taught by these incredible teachers.
Dr. Iris has been following in the footsteps of her mentors by utilizing their deep sense of chiropractic philosophy, unmatched art, and understanding of the science as it applies to chiropractic. She is honored to work alongside other incredible animal chiropractors and share in the legacy established by this comprehensive style of animal chiropractic. She has since expanded the business and primarily adjusts dogs and horses in the surrounding four corners area.
DR. REN BLEEM, DC
Dr. Ren spent the first 21 years of life on an organic dairy farm in Southern IL. and it’s no surprise that he has spent his entire chiropractic career in a farming community.
Dr. Ren Bleem is a 1995 graduate of Logan University of Health Sciences. He has dedicated the past 28 years of practice to caring for humans in the small west central Illinois town of Havana. “My practice is built on relationships first. I see patients from all walks of life. Chiropractic bridges the gap between us.”
Many years into practice, Dr. Ren was missing the farm. “I had to get back to the barn. With my understanding of large animals, knowledge and skillset adding animal chiropractic was the best choice I could have ever made.” With his two children grown, Dr. Ren had more time and obtained his Animal Chiropractic Certification through Options for Animals in Wellsville KS in 2019. He is both IVCA and AVCA certified and is also an Examiner for the AVCA Certification Exam in Miami, OK.
Dr. Ren and Dr. Jay’s paths crossed in late 2019 when Dr. Ren attended a class in GA, and it changed the trajectory of his practice. “Dr. Jay’s protocol, the programming at Advanced Chiropractic CE, the people, and the whole-animal approach are what kept me coming back; class after class. “There isn’t a species or spine I will not adjust. Banty roosters to 2700 -pound Hereford bulls, I just figure it out. Being an animal chiropractor has made me a better human chiropractor.”
Dr. Ren has a keen ability to read large animals and livestock and has a thriving horse and livestock practice in central IL. Locally, he’s affectionately known as Dr. Hog for the large number or hogs he adjusts during show season. His mustache is rather famous in its own right.
Dr. Ren runs his Midwest practice with his wife of 30 years, Melanie. You will often find her at seminars with Dr. Ren. Dr. Ren’s animal chiropractic work has also been featured on podcasts, online and in multiple magazine articles.
In his spare time, Dr. Ren is an ultra-runner, cold plunger, reader, and spends time studying biomechanics of the adjustment.