Location: Tulsa, OK
Certifications through Angel's Animals LLC: Certified Canine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapist (Canine Massage Certification) When did you decide that you wanted to work with animals? I’ve always had animals in my life, but I had never considered careers directly involving them. I became a Doctor of Physical Therapy, which I’ve enjoyed, but about 6 years ago, I learned about canine rehabilitation and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I loved the idea of combining my love of PT (and massage/manual therapy skills) with my passion for animals but wasn’t ready to make that transition yet. Fast forward to 2022, and I took the leap to add animals to my clientele by earning my canine rehabilitation therapist certification (CCRT). In 2023, I decided to get a massage certification to further enhance my hands-on skills to best serve my canine clients. What animal influenced you the most growing up? I can’t say any one animal influenced me more than another; each one played a major role in my life. I will say that I was particularly impacted by two of our golden retrievers that dealt with spinal dysfunction and hind end weakness as they aged. In the end, we had to say goodbye due to their physical ailments, but I always felt that if we could have addressed their musculoskeletal impairments, we could have kept them around longer. Who knew that 20+ years later I would have the skills to do just that? What animals do you currently own? I currently have a 13-year-old Sheltie named Solo and a 3-year-old Coltriever named Marvel. Sadly, I lost my horse, Slick, last year at the age of 26. (We did get to enjoy a wonderful 20 years together, though!) What makes your animal bodywork practice stand out? I think my background in human physical therapy helps me stand out, as I have years of experience—albeit on humans—in gait and movement analysis, and over a decade of hands-on experience palpating, assessing, and addressing hang-ups in soft tissues and joints. Adding this massage certification to my canine rehabilitation practice adds depth to my global treatment approach. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual dog’s needs, working toward the goal the owner has set for them, whether getting back to high-level sporting activities or a family walk around the block. Beyond just the physical skills, I want my passion for dogs to shine through. This isn’t just a job for me, and I hope that is reflected in every interaction I have. What message would you like to share with potential clients? Seeking massage/rehab early is one of the best things you can do to prevent a big, glaring problem from developing or a further decline in function. Not to mention, keeping pain as minimal as possible, as early as possible. My other big message to owners is “be prepared to put in the work!” Improving the health and wellness of your dog is not a passive act on the owner’s part—they need to be actively involved. A large part of my practice is client education: teaching owners how to feel general tissue restrictions and perform simple strokes and techniques that they can do between massage sessions. I also expect them to work daily with their dog on simple stretches and exercises that will reinforce the tissue improvements achieved during the massage. I want all pet parents to have a hands-on role in helping restore their pet’s function. What message would you like to share with others who are thinking about pursuing a career in animal health? Don’t wait—just do it! I regret waiting so long to finally pursue what I was passionate about. It can add an element of joy in your life that you never knew you were missing.
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AuthorEvery month Dr. Barbara acknowledges and showcases one of her certified practitioners! You could be next! Archives
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