Carrie Schlachter, VMD, DACVSMR, ASTR (LP)
Dr. Schlachter is a board-certified specialist in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation with over two decades of experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of equine athletes. Known internationally for her innovative, evidence-based approach to rehabilitation, she blends advanced imaging and electrophysical therapies with hands-on techniques and a deep understanding of biomechanics and behavior.
Dr. Schlachter is the founder of Animals In Motion (AIM), a leading sports medicine and rehabilitation practice in Northern California, where she has developed comprehensive programs for equine and canine performance, wellness, and recovery. Through AIM Education, she shares her expertise with veterinarians, therapists, and horse owners worldwide through courses on lameness, rehabilitation, and bodywork. Along with her partners Dr. Nicole Rombach and Debranne Pattillo, she also founded the Academy of Animal Sport Science, offering an equine rehabilitation certificate program for licensed professionals and veterinarians.
Beyond her veterinary practice, Dr. Schlachter is the proud founder of the Rooster Run Foundation, a 501(c)(3) sanctuary and educational center dedicated to providing compassionate, science-driven care to over 200 rescued and retired animals. The foundation’s motto — Freedom, Friends, and Forage — reflects her belief that emotional well-being, community, and natural movement are central to healing and health for all species.
Dr. Schlachter lectures widely across the U.S. and abroad, including for the AAEP, VetPD, IAVRPT, and the Swedish Veterinary Society, and has contributed chapters to major veterinary texts such as The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Rehabilitation of the Equine Athlete and the upcoming Field Manual of Equine Orthopaedic Injury, Diagnosis, and Treatment. She has served on the AAEP Educational Committee, the ACVSMR Exam Committee, and as a FEI Veterinary Delegate at international competitions. Her teaching and clinical philosophy integrate science, empathy, and curiosity — whether she’s helping a dressage horse regain soundness, guiding a rescue pig toward voluntary hoof care, or mentoring the next generation of veterinarians
