Animal Massage Guide » Hydrotherapy

Alternative Animal Health Practitioners – USA

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:17:37 +0000

At long last, here is the beginning of the first list of practitioners. I assume that we eventually will need to split them up into more narrow geographical areas, and perhaps by modality as well, but for now, I am doing them by country.

I decided to call it Alternative Animal Health, but it really could have been called Complementary, Holistic or Integrative animal health as well. I find that these terms are used sort of loosely and interchangeably most of the time, so I went with the one people use the most (a post outlining the difference between these terms is coming). If you are looking for a practitioner, also check out the school lists. Most individuals on those lists are practitioners as well.

If you are a practitioner and would like to be listed here, please fill out the contact form and make sure to include:

The business name (and your name if you would like it included)
Contact info (address, phone, email)
A short blurb about the modalities you practice and which animals you work on

Please note that you do not have to be a practitioner in the US in order to be listed – I will create lists for all areas. If you have any questions, use the contact form for that as well, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

A basic listing is totally free. All I ask in exchange is a link to Animal Massage Guide (www.animalmassageguide.com) on your website or blog. If you would like to add your website or blog address with a link from your listing here, the cost is $25 per year, and you can set that up on this page. Another way to link to your site (for free) is by doing a guest post.

FLORIDA

Savvy Tender Touch
Eileen Coe
Phone: 239-910-7520
Email: eyecoe@comcast.net
I am a certified animal acupressure practitioner and offer acupressure and Tui
Na massage to horses and dogs. I am located in South West Florida, the Fort Myers/Naples area.

MASSACHUSETTS

Good Dog Aquatic
Luis and Mary Carrillo
29 North Main Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Phone: 978-682-DOGS (3647)
Fax: 978-688-6278
Email: Online contact form
Canine hydrotherapy, massage, and laser therapy

Learn more about Good Dog Aquatic

BodyKneads Muscle Therapy
Christine Taylor
Whitinsville, MA
Email: bodykneads@charter.net
Tong Ren for animals, Equine massage and laser therapy

Learn more about Christine in this post about Tong Ren

Mending Fences Wellness Services
Theresa Gagnon, CVT, LMT
Jodi Clark, CSAMT, CEMT
Oakham, MA
Phone: 508-864 – 9840 or (508) 981 – 8431
Massage – Myofascial Release, CranioSacral, Structural Integration, and our own trademarked techniques, Cold Laser, MagnaWave. Serving all of New England

Learn more about Mending Fences in this post about PEMF

MINNESOTA

Dawn LaPointe
Duluth, MN
Phone: 218-340-1901
Email: Dawn@AwakenedHarmony.com
Reiki and Healing Touch for animals

Learn more about Dawn in this Healing Touch post

MONTANA

Garnas Equine
Leeann “Lu” Beckman-Garnas
Belgrade, MT
Phone: 406-581-1175
E-mail: lu_garnas@yahoo.com
Equine acupressure, Tui Na and sports massage

Learn more about Lu in this post about Equine acupressure

NEW JERSEY

Newkirk Family Veterinarian Centers
Mark Newkirk BS., MS.,V.M.D.
3085 English Creek Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Phone: 609-645-2120
Fax: 609-645-1854
Email: Online contact form
Holistic veterinary clinic for horses and small animals (therapies include Chiropractic, Laser Therapy, Aquapuncture, Laser Pain Therapy, NAET, Myofascial technique)

Read my interview with Dr. Newkirk in this post about NAET and how it can help eliminate allergies

NEW YORK

Lon Black
Hope Veterinary Clinic
390 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11217
Phone: 718-852-4219
Email: lonblack@hopevet.com
Canine and feline massage therapy

Learn more about Lon in this Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage post

Laurie Nadel, Ph.D.
Reiki for Animals
Long Island, NY
Phone: 516.889.9763
Email: drlaurienadel@msn.com
Website: www.Reiki4PetsUSA.com
Usui Reiki Master. Complimentary distance Reiki for pets and hands-on Reiki for pets and people on Long Island

OREGON

Ancient Rivers Healing Arts, Inc.
Sariantra Kali
Eugene Office – 358 W 8th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401
Oakridge Office – East First and Pine, Oakridge, OR 97463
Phone: 541-221-3282
E-Mail: Sariantra@AncientRivers.org
Shamanic healing for animals

Learn more about Sariantra in this Shamanic Healing post

Thrive Acupuncture
Becca Seitz, MAcOM, LAc
3133 NE Prescott St.
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: 971-285-4825
Email: Becca@ThriveAcupuncture.org
Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist

Learn more about Becca in this post about Animal Acupuncture

SOUTH CAROLINA

Paddling Paws
Terri Steely
944-F College Park Road
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: 843-377-5802
Email: tbsteely@aol.com
Canine hydrotherapy

More about Paddling Paws in this Canine Hydrotherapy post

TEXAS

Stewart Ranch
Shea Stewart
Ft. Worth, TX
Phone: 831-234-8321
Email: stewartranch@sbcglobal.net
Equine craniosacral in Texas and California

Learn more about Shea in this Equine Craniosacral post

WASHINGTON

Balance In Motion, LLC
Heather Manuel – LAMP, SAMP
Snoqualmie, WA
Phone: 425-681-2810
Email: heather@balanceinmotionec.com
Licensed and Certified large and small animal massage therapist. Barn and house calls throughout the Eastside and all of King County, Seattle, and Snohomish County.

WellspringsK9
Sheila Wells LMP, SAMP, VT, Owner
Seattle, Washington
Phone: 206-935-8299
Email: sheila@wellspringsk9.com or info@wellspringsk9.com
Website: http://wellspringsk9.com/
Licensed Massage and Swim Therapy for Dogs (and other small animals)

NBCAAM – The First National Certification For Animal Massage And Acupressure Practitioners The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage...
Alternative Animal Health Events And Workshops – December 2009 & January 2010 There aren’t many events and workshops in December and January...
Holistic Animal Health Events & Workshops – USA, Canada & UK – June & July 2011 It’s been a cold and rainy spring here in the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Animal Massage Guide Guest Post Series: Good Dog Aquatic Fitness

cattie — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 14:43:55 +0000

Today’s guest post comes from Luis and Mary Carillo, owners of Good Dog Aquatic Fitness in North Andover, Massachusetts. Good Dog is a referral facility that specializes in canine hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, and massage therapy to help dogs recover from injury and illness as well as maintain their overall health and quality of life.

Luis, a licensed Physical Therapist and certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, and Mary, a Certified Small Animal Massage Therapist and Animal Care Specialist, started Good Dog Aquatic in 2004 after seeing how much their own dog Saba benefited from swimming after a total hip replacement (full story below).

Today, Good Dog Aquatic is a busy practice with new clients coming in all the time. Luis and Mary work closely with several veterinarians (and have even managed to convert a few doubters).

Hydrotherapy
by Luis Carrillo, PT, CCRP

More and more pet guardians are turning to alternative health treatments in combination with traditional veterinary medicine to improve and maintain their dog’s optimal health.

Hydrotherapy is one such treatment that utilizes the buoyancy, resistance and hydrostatic pressure properties of water. Buoyancy counteracts gravity, reducing pressure and strain on the joints, limbs and spine, which allows for pain free exercise and greater freedom of movement. The dog is able to work through their full range of motion in the water, increasing flexibility and muscle tone. The uniform hydrostatic pressure across all the limbs helps to promote better circulation and blood flow to the entire body. Swimming works every muscle of the body including the heart, and cardiovascular training through resistive current and longer swims improves endurance. Dogs of all ages, especially older dogs who cannot otherwise exercise as vigorously because of various health issues, find water therapy just the right exercise.

Dogs that show signs of advancing degenerative joint disease (DJD) in their hips, knees, shoulders and elbows can benefit from hydrotherapy. It helps to reduce pain and inflammation, build strength and endurance and increase mobility and function.

Recent advances in orthopedic surgery and aquatic therapy have offered dogs with Cruciate (knee) repairs including TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), a chance to recover quicker and return to their former activities including agility, sports, ball playing and walks. Dogs who have had spinal surgery and spinal “strokes” have been shown to return to a better quality of life with the use of hydrotherapy as part of their recovery plan.

Our practice, Good Dog Aquatic Fitness, was inspired by our dog Saba. When Saba needed a total hip replacement, Luis, drawing from his experience as a human physical therapist, had him swimming as part of the post-op recovery and found that it dramatically shortened his recovery time. A few years later, Saba developed Degenerative Myelopathy, a neurological disorder similar to Multiple Sclerosis. Swimming and physical therapy helped Saba manage his DM and live a happy life to a ripe old age of 14.

Inspired by how beneficial hydrotherapy had been for Saba, Luis completed his Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification and founded Good Dog Aquatic Fitness in 2004 with the goal to improve the overall quality of life for dogs and their guardians.

At Good Dog Aquatic Fitness, we work closely with the referring veterinarian to develop a custom program tailored to your dog’s special needs. In addition to hydrotherapy, we also use therapeutic exercise, balance training, massage therapy and laser therapy as part of our treatment. We customize a home exercise program as well, which allows owners to actively participate in their dog’s recovery and further strengthen their relationship.

To read all the wonderful Good Dog Aquatic success stories, visit their website www.gooddogaquatic.com

Also, don’t miss Sophie’s story in my earlier canine hydrotherapy post.

Animal Massage Guide Guest Post Series: Jody Chiquoine Today’s guest post comes from Jody Chiquoine, the founder and...
Animal Massage Guide Guest Post Series: Linda Jackson I am very excited to present our first in a...
Animal Massage Guide Guest Post Series: Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute Today’s guest post comes to us from Amy Snow, founder...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Canine Hydrotherapy

cattie — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:23:11 +0000

Today’s featured alternative health modality is canine hydrotherapy (a.k.a. canine water therapy). Different forms of hydrotherapy for humans have been around for thousands of years – ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used it to improve their health, spirits and general well-being.

Equine hydrotherapy, in particular using cold sea water on leg injuries, has been practiced for centuries, then it was picked up by the greyhound racing community, and now, hydrotherapy for all kinds of dogs (working, show, pets, etc.) is becoming more and more popular.

What Is Canine Hydrotherapy?

Canine Hydrotherapy is swimming, or using an underwater treadmill, for dogs, often combined with other therapies such as massage, stretching and balance exercises. Some pools have jets to provide different levels of resistance, and the therapist can adjust the strength of the jets to fit each dog. Dog owners are usually not allowed to get in the pool, but the therapist will be there with your dog (who may or may not wear a life vest) and assist while he/she swims.

How Does Swimming Help?
The buoyancy of the water allows the patient to move freely and use his/her full range of motion without putting stress on joints and bones. This, combined with the resistance of the water, helps restore mobility and build muscle mass in dogs who have undergone surgery, been injured, are disabled, or are suffering from arthritis and other age related mobility issues.

The pressure of the water also increases lymphatic drainage and can help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.

Other conditions that benefit from hydrotherapy include:

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Neurological problems and spinal injuries
Circulatory problems
Pre-op
Obesity

And just as for us humans, swimming is a relaxing way for your dog to get some exercise and have fun in a warm, soothing environment.

To find a practitioner in the US, visit The Association of Canine Water Therapy’s website. In the UK, check out the Canine Hydrotherapy Association.

Meet Terri Steely

Terri Steely is the founder and owner of Paddling Paws in Summerville, South Carolina. Terri, a registered nurse, became interested in canine hydrotherapy when her 16-week old pug Molly became lame. She knew how beneficial swimming in warm water was for humans and decided to give it a try with Molly.

After seeing the success she had with Molly, Terri started dreaming about opening her own canine hydrotherapy facility. She began studying human aquatic therapy, canine behavior, canine massage and canine water therapy, and in February of 2007 she opened the doors to Paddling Paws.

Today’s case study features Sophie, a Weimaraner with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). Thanks to a combination of several alternative therapies (including hydrotherapy), she has not only survived way past the 6 months dogs diagnosed with DM are projected to live, but has maintained a wonderful quality of life. This is a great example of how important it is to never give up and keep looking for different solutions when faced with a devastating diagnosis by your vet.

Sophie’s Story
as told by her owner

Sophie is a 14 1/2 year old Weimaraner. She has been a part of our family since she was 4 weeks old. During her first 13 or so years she had regular vet checkups and had no unusual health problems – except normal breed behavior doing such things as eating half a roll of tissue or eating a full bottle of vitamins (and then receiving a half cup of hydrogen peroxide to purge the pills).

In January 2008 at a wellness check up at our vet, we were told that Sophie had Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a degenerative nerve disease described to us as similar to MS in people. Five months later her back legs gave out and her hind quarters had to be held up with a towel or lift to walk. She was put on Prednisone for a short quick fix. Dogs usually have a life expectancy of 6 months with DM. We didn’t settle for the prognosis.

We did research on the DM website and found that Dr. R. M. Clemmons, a veterinary neurological researcher at University of Florida had done studies on DM dogs and had identified several meds to give dogs with DM to stall or delay neurological deterioration. We asked our vet about this course of treatment. He said the research was not accepted by many conventional vets (limited to no control studies) but it was worth a try. Through our vet we were able to order Dr. Clemmons meds by Rx through Westlab Pharmacy, an online compounding pharmacy in Florida. The meds Sophie was given included Acetylcysteine, Aminocaproic acid, and Antiox-Q. (We later changed from Antiox-Q to Basic Nutrients by Thorne.)

Sophie’s legs were weak from the DM and she had difficulty walking. We read that swimming is a stress free exercise to build up the leg muscles. She had never swum before. After some research we found Paddling Paws in Summerville, S.C., owned by Terri Steely, now Sophie’s swim instructor and good friend. We gave the water therapy a try and were amazed by the results. We now travel three hours two times a week for swimming and it has made a big difference in her strength, walking, muscle mass, and coordination, and she loves it. She would not be walking today without it.

At the time we started the water therapy we tried acupuncture, having found evidence in our research that this could stimulate nerve health. After more research we found Dr. Holley Cone of Bees Ferry Vet Hospital in Charleston, S.C. Dr. Cone does acupuncture, acupressure massage, supplements, and herbs. Our experience has been that acupuncture has increased the impact of water therapy and the collective increased energy level and mobility gained. It is not unusual now for Sophie to trot around the back yard, jump on the couch, and at times act like a one year old puppy running through the house like a rabbit – a characteristic of the breed any owner would recognize.

Shortly after starting the meds, acupuncture, and water therapy, Sophie bloated and had to have emergency surgery. Sophie has benefited from having excellent conventional vet care complimented with awesome holistic vet care, the combined coordinated impact is greater than the sum of the individual parts. She has bloated twice since the first time but the vets were able to decompress her without surgery since her stomach was attached during the first bloat surgery. During recovery from bloat her meds are changed to heal her stomach and gastrointestinal system. Dogs with DM appear to be prone to bloat.

Sophie had her tail amputated because of a cancerous growth and she was later bitten by a Copperhead snake. She has been able to endure and recover from each of these life episodes we believe because of the contribution of episode treatment, and accumulative benefit of meds, acupuncture, and water therapy – coupled with a healthy diet with no junk food.

Sophie has bouts of colitis every few months which we are told is not uncommon in older dogs with her history, and we treat with Metronidazole and Pro Pectalin. If we catch it early enough we start on Sulfasalazine to treat the inflammation.

Sophie also has arthritis of the spine and neck – issues that affect her legs. She takes Trixsyn, a diet supplement, and Adequan injections for joint health. She is fed Mila (chia seed mix) as a pure (no mercury) source of omega 3 for her joints.

Sophie is walking better today than she was two years ago. She takes short walks almost every day along with her swimming. We’re convinced that had we not started the combined treatment of water therapy, holistic vet care with acupuncture, and diet management with supplements, Sophie would have lived no longer than the original projected 6 months and her health and quality of life would have been terrible. Instead, Sophie has experienced two quality years of life and we have had two years (going on three) of enjoyment and companionship knowing we have been responsible caretakers.

What’s important to us is that she is happy, her health and physical function very good, and her overall quality of life is unbelievable – as she remains a very special best friend and companion.

This is a list of some of the meds and supplements that she is taking:
Acetylcysteine
Mila (chia)
Aminocaproic acid
Hemp seed
Basic Nutrients by Thorne (instead of Antiox-Q )
Chinese herbs as needed
Gastriplex by Thorne
Gas X when needed
Probiotic from Mercola
Milk Thistle
Glucosamine, Chondrointin, MSM
Karbo Essentials
Armour (natural thyroid)
Banana flakes for diarrhea
Gabapentin
Proin (PPA)
Trixsyn
Adequan injections every 2 weeks
Cranberry 475 mg

Slippery elm, L -Glutamen, marshmallow root and bentonite clay to heal and rid toxins after colitis

Animal Massage Guide Guest Post Series: Good Dog Aquatic Fitness Today’s guest post comes from Luis and Mary Carillo, owners...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.