Wilde Health Center closing up shop after 40 years

In 1983, Doctor of Chiropractic Brad Wilde's practice started with an ad in the Northern Wyoming Daily News: "Worland Chiropractic Clinic opening July 5!"

"The first day was good, and it just grew from there. Word of mouth!" Wilde's self-proclaimed "office manager, wife and boss" Debi Wilde said. Since then, the couple has served thousands of patients from all over the country, including as far as Colorado, Utah and California.

"Our approach to health was rather unique, so we drew people in from all around," Dr. Wilde said. Patients spoke of healing, and suddenly, the Wildes had a following in sunny California. The doctor began teaching classes there, and all over the western United States, to help people engage with their own health and wellbeing practices.

Worland, however, has remained the chiropractic business's heart and home. Originally, the Wildes were both from southern Alberta, Canada. The couple married after only three months of dating, and Dr. Wilde began his schooling at Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis, Missouri.

While taking a state chiropractic exam in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the Wildes made a stop in Worland. In his first interview with the Northern Wyoming Daily News in 1983, Wilde said, "We were looking for a smaller town to raise our family." Worland reminded the doctor of his childhood hometown with its prominent ranching and sugar beet industries. The couple decided to settle, and eventually raised seven children here.

The Wildes engaged with the community, providing a health column in the paper, alternative healthcare options, and a safe place where their concerns were listened to and addressed. "Sometimes, they'd come in and say, 'We feel better just walking in the door.' It just felt good. That was our highest compliment," Dr. Wilde said.

Wilde Natural Health Health Center made the move from 208 South Ninth Street to its current 801 Robertson Avenue location in 1999. The new building was large enough for classes, a counselor, a cutting-edge allergy relief center and a health shop.

"You don't go into it for the business, you go into it for the health care, for helping people, and then you find out you're running a business," Dr. Wilde laughed. "It's 'How do I make a living doing something I love doing?' And it doesn't matter whether you're an artist or a musician or whatever. You have to figure out how to market yourself to be able to make a living at it."

"Some people want to help people so bad that it overrides collecting income," Mrs. Wilde added, with a nod toward her husband. "So he did a lot of pro bono. But people needed help. He's got a soft touch."

After the Wildes's children grew up, they moved away. The majority of the Wilde family, which now includes 17 grandchildren, made their way to Billings. Dr. and Mrs. Wilde wanted to be close to their family, but struggled to leave their business behind. For the past 11 years, the couple has been driving from their home in Billings once a week on Mondays to offer chiropractic services in Worland.

Now, they will settle into retirement starting May 1. They plan to continue to do volunteer work through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Billings and enjoy their grandchildren.

When asked for outgoing health advice for their customers, Mrs. Wilde pointed to a handmade sign hung near the office's doorway. It read, "Think a thousand thankful thoughts a day."

"That's a good one," Dr. Wilde conceded, "A patient made that for me. We just talked about the power of positive thinking and how it makes a difference.

"How you see things and whether you think of yourself as a victim, 'poor me,'... has an impact on your health. What you eat, what you think, what you put into your body and how you take care of your body makes a huge difference. If you don't take care of yourself, you're not going to be healthy. It's your choice."

In closing, Mrs. Wilde said, "I think I'd like to add how grateful we are to the entire town, because they raised our children.

"Really, we had seven kids grow up here... it takes a village to raise a child, and this was by far the best place to live and raise a family. We will always be grateful for Worland."