December 2021 Practitioner of the Month....Alice Collins

Name: Alice Collins

Location: San Francisco/San Jose Bay area, Ca. We do travel outside this area.

Certifications through Angel's Animals: Equine myo-manipulative functional therapiEquine Massage Certificationst and Equine Cranio-sacral therapist

When do you decide that you wanted to work with animals? I have always loved and had a connection with animals and would care for lost and injured animals.  Horses were my passion and still are. As a child and teenager I wanted to become a veterinary specializing in horses and, sometimes, life gives us a redirect.

​What animal influenced you the most growing up? My first cat who "talked" to me and my horse who taught me how to listen and feel his rhythm, his heart. I always rode bareback and one day we were in the arena warming up before our ride. He kept indicating he wanted to go over the small jumps so I thought, ok, why not. He taught me how to jump that day, to listen and feel his rhythm even more deeply, when to lift up, when and how to lean forward to support his rhythm and flow. It was a magical day and from then on I knew even more clearly how special that connection is. 

What animals do you currently own? I have a wonderful cat, Molly, who had been a semi-feral ranch cat. She is an absolute delight and loves being an indoor house cat.

What makes your animal bodywork practice stand out? Bodies talk to me, they always have. I am also an intuitive massage therapist and certified Avesa Medical Intuitive. I look at the whole horse which includes environment, owner/rider relationship, the type of work the horse does as well as the emotional wellbeing of the horse. As I connect and work with the horse I help to relieve held trauma and then begin the unwinding process of physical issues. I work with the horse, at their pace and as they are ready as well as working with the owner to create a plan of between visit care to maximize the horse's recovery. It is amazing how much faster a horse can heal when their owner does the suggested follow through support.

What message would you like to share with potential clients? Find a bodywork practitioner that both you and your horse are comfortable with. If either of you are not comfortable it will not matter how good the practitioner is AND remember to take into account how quickly or not so quickly your horse takes to a new person. I love working with horses, this is my passion and heart song.​

What message would you like to share with other who are thinking about pursuing a career in animal bodywork? GO FOR IT!!!
This work is so important and needed and yet, many horse owners do not understand its value. Allow yourself to find the people and clients that DO appreciate you and your work and let the others find their own way. There is more than enough work for everyone.

Visit Alice's Website