Chiropractor Bernard Nadolny prosecuted by Veterinary Surgeons Board SA over treatment of animals at his practice
EXCLUSIVE: A chiropractor is being prosecuted for allegedly treating six dogs and a cat, charging an average $55 per session and diagnosing diseases such as cancer and arthritis, court documents reveal.
A CHIROPRACTOR is being prosecuted for allegedly treating six dogs and a cat at his southern suburbs practice — charging up to $55 per session and diagnosing diseases such as cancer and arthritis, court documents reveal.
The Veterinary Surgeons Board of SA has charged Christies Beach Chiropractic owner Dr Bernard Nadolny with eight counts of treating an animal for fee or reward. Dr Nadolny appeared in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court last week, when his case was adjourned until May.
The charges were laid under the Veterinary Practice Act, which prohibits people from providing paid veterinary treatment unless, at the time the treatment was provided, the person was qualified to do so.
The act stipulates that only a registered veterinary surgeon can provide paid veterinary treatment — but one exception is treatment of an animal by a registered health professional under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
In 2006, the Sunday Mail profiled Dr Nadolny — dubbing him “Dr Dolittle” after the fictional animal doctor — after he completed a postgraduate course in animal chiropractics at RMIT University.
“People think giving chiropractic treatment to a fish is a bit of a joke but it really works,’’ he said at the time.
“I’ve treated racehorses, ponies, foals, llamas, alpacas, birds, chooks ... I could treat a sea lion if I wanted. Their structure is almost the same as ours. It takes years to develop the skill but it’s actually quite rewarding. As soon as you correct what’s wrong with them, they just melt in front of you.’’
When contacted by The Advertiser, the Veterinary Surgeons Board refused to outline its allegations against Dr Nadolny, who also declined to comment on the charges.
Court documents allege Dr Nadolny treated a Maltese Shih tzu named Chester, making an adjustment to the dog’s spine to treat back pain on December 9, 2014. It will be further alleged that the chiropractor performed four manipulations on a Bichon Frise poodle cross called Lilly on January 16, 2015, to treat “lameness and a disturbance in gait”.
About two months later, Dr Nadolny allegedly treated a Maltese Shih tzu called Jessica, examining her spine and mildly pushing it, on one occasion causing “it to click”.
Other charges cover the 2015 treatment of Jack the border collie, in which Dr Nadolny allegedly reviewed an X-ray taken by a vet and told the owner the dog may have cancer in a front leg; a chihuahua that he allegedly recommended be prevented from jumping; and a cat with a sore shoulder.
The charges carry a maximum fine of $20,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
