May 2021 Practitioner of the Month....Bonnie Morrow

Name: Bonnie Morrow

Location: Located out of Dixon, California and provide services to: Davis, CA, Suisun City, CA, Rio Linda, CA, Vacaville, CA            Sacramento, CA, Martinez, CA, Woodland, CA, Florin, CA, Napa, CA, Fairfield, CA, Elk Grove, CA, Pittsburg, CA, West Sacramento, CA, Rosemont, CA and Vallejo, CA

Certifications Through Angel's Animals: Equine Myo-manipulativeFunctional Therapy, Equine Craniosacral Therapy, Equine Kinesiology Taping, Animal Cold Laser Therapy – enrolled and Animal Neuro-myofascial Release Technique - enrolled

When did you decide that you wanted to work with animals? My journey of working with animals began when I retired as a USAF Security Forces member and from the Department of Defense in 2018. As with many occupations across the Services, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder hasn’t necessarily become more prevalent, rather more widely acknowledged. I had purchased a rescue Thoroughbred (Jett Fire) for $500. He was in bad shape both mentally and physically. He didn’t make in in the racing world, so was sold over and over and over again. Sadly, he ended up locked and left in a barn with 30+ other horses starving to death.

Over time, I just could not help Jett relax. He would suddenly bolt, spin or buck, more and more often over the years.  He would freeze, tremble, or sweat for no apparent reason. Call it fate, one day I came across Dr. Angelique Barbara’s Angel’s Animals website. I browsed the many Equine therapy courses being offered. When previewing some of the course content, there is was…Jett was living in a constant state of anxiety. His Sympathetic Nervous System was engaged every day, all day.  This is how my journey started.

What animal influenced you the most growing up? I didn’t realize the influences it at the time. I had been brought up around horses from the age of 14, and the effect has carried through my life to this day. Responsibility, work ethic, learning I can’t always be a winner, learning empathy, creating a special bonds and relationships are critical life skills that have made me successful throughout my life.

What animals do you currently own? Many! A Netherland Dwarf bunny, two parakeets, a Shepard, a husky and Jett. I have a soft spot for “Rescues.”

What makes your animal bodywork practice stand out? I believe in establishing a rapport with both the owners and their horses. I build in “buffer times” for my appointments to engage in conversations. Owners want to talk about their horses. I provide reports in layman’s terms with diagrams and photographs, so the owners understand what is going on with their horses and see the improvements over time. I video tape the entire session for the owners. I aspire my services to be transformational not transactional.

What message would you like to share with potential clients? It is essential I work as a team with the owners and their horses. I insist the owners are available to see the entire session, so I can explain what is happening to their horse and why they are reacting the way they are (both positive and negative responses). Typically by the third session, the horses know when I enter at their barn and often nicker upon my arrival.

What message would you like to share with others who are thinking about pursuing a career in animal bodywork? I will tell you the courses and case studies for completing any of the Angel’s Animals courses are intense. I would ask anyone looking into a career in bodywork, what is the motive? I am able to circle back around with my personal story as I began practicing on my horse, Jett . The techniques and applications of Myo-manipulation Functional Therapy – the effects were PHENOMENOL. He yawned, sighed, dropped his head, licked, chewed, dropped his sheath, it was simply amazing. This was what inspired me to move forward on this new career path. If I could help him, I could help many others. This is one career where you can see and feel the magical transformation of touch.

VISIT BONNIE'S WEBSITE