He’s got back to back appointments.
For decades, Manhattan chiropractor Doug Willen has treated some of the city’s top bodies — including Rockettes and professional ballerinas such as Misty Copeland — in his Fifth Avenue office. He specializes in “medical aesthetics” — manipulating the human form to not just feel better, but look better — and charges $350 for a 45-minute visit.
But, in recent years, he’s expanded his client base to also include animals, both pets and barnyard creatures such as cows and Clydesdales.
“It’s become my hobby, my passion and hopefully my future,” the 59-year-old says in a video on YouTube, where his @AnimalCrackerDrDougWillen account has 461,000 followers.
A native Long Islander who grew up raising dogs, snakes and iguanas, Willen has always loved animals. So, in 2020, he decided to expand his practice to include over 17 different species, getting board-certified through the American Veterinarian Chiropractic Association.
“My real passion is working with medically challenged animals at nonprofits. I have so much fun volunteering,” Willen, who regularly offers his services for free to animal sanctuary and rescue organizations, told The Post.
While he often goes to the countryside to see his four-legged clients, they occasionally come to him. Last March, a large,16-year-old goat named Jasper travelled from rural New Jersey to Willen’s swank suite in Manhattan for a jaw realignment. He was the largest animal ever to come into the office.
“He peed all over the floor. Goat pee smells so bad,” Willen said. “It’s not like cat or dog pee that you can just mop up and the smell disappears. It lingers because it’s so strong.”
Not all animal patients make such a mess.
Rookie, an obedient, 12-year-old Yorkiepoo and model from Sutton Place, was one of Willen’s first non-human patients.
The Hurricane Sandy rescue pup was brought to Willen’s office by owner Christie Park, who’d previously sought the chiropractor’s help for a twist in her own back. When Rookie struggled with properly walking, sitting and squatting, she brought him in.
“Dr. Doug said, ‘Maybe it’s not just the patella, maybe it’s the hip joints,” Park, a court stenographer, told The Post. “He did a couple of adjustments and now Rookie is walking and sitting a lot better.”
These days, both dog and owner are regular patients.
“It’s great to be able to take Rookie with me to the chiropractor,” said Park. “Whether he’s getting an adjustment or just coming with me during an appointment, it makes my life much easier.”
Willen makes a point of treating his animal patients — whose owners pay $200 to $250 for each session — with the upmost respect.
“I say, ‘Can I work with you today?,’” he said, acknowledging that he can’t actually converse with the creatures a la Dr. Dolittle. “It helps me remember that I’m working in service to them. They’re probably scared sh-tless because they’re in pain, and I’m about to stick my fingers right into that inflamed area.”
Not all creatures great and small are as respectful to him. While he says he’s “usually able to get out of the way” before a horse or bull kicks him, there have been times when he hasn’t been been able to avoid injury.
“I knew a kick to my leg was coming. But I also knew that if I continued applying pressure to one spot in its back for 30 more seconds, I’d get it to release,” he said of working with one equine client. “I was happy to make the sacrifice and help the animal.”
Other furry patients are more appreciative.
“After I crack whatever spot that’s hurting the animals almost come up and nuzzle me,” said Willen. “It’s like they’re saying, ‘Thank you for helping me.’”
