BC Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork Professionals

12/08/2024

Yes!!
We all need to attend this.
It might give the solutions to legalize animal complementary therapies here in BC

03/08/2024

This is a great opportunity to join and learn about the equine distal limb.

🦴 Join Our One-Day Hands-On Dissection of the Equine Distal Limb 🦴

🗓️ When: Saturday, September 7, 2024 (9am-5pm)
📍 Where: 20241 25 Ave, Langley, BC
💰 Cost: $250 + GST (Visa, MC, e-transfer accepted)

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of equine distal limb anatomy? This clinic is perfect for equine therapists, horse owners, trainers, and hoofcare providers who are eager to:

🔹 Learn the internal anatomy of the distal limb
🔹 Get hands-on experience in dissection
🔹 Palpate and identify normal vs. abnormal tissue
🔹 Recognize common dysfunctions
🔹 Understand biomechanics and functional anatomy of the distal limb

During this immersive experience, you'll explore the distal limb from the superficial layers all the way down to the bone, joints, and internal hoof. Cadavers are provided so you can follow along and enhance your dissection skills.

🔀 Instructors: .g_equine_body_works
☕ Coffee, tea, and snacks provided.
🎁 BONUS: All registrants receive FREE access to our pre-recorded webinar on distal limb dissection this fall ($50 value).

Only 7 seats remaining – don’t miss your chance to join us this year!

📢 Register now and secure your spot!

29/07/2024

Great event with some cutting edge ideas and techniques.

Hey ! For nearly 50 years, the Tellington TTouch Method has been at the forefront of understanding and working with animals with heart-centered, logical, and empathic approaches.

Thankfully, today, many of the concepts that we have taught for decades, are becoming widely acknowledged as ways of understanding animal behavior.

To "Cell-ebrate" the incredible scope and knowledge of our worldwide Tellington Community, we are hosting the Tellington TTouch® "CELL-ebration" Learning Conference, happening in sunny Orlando on October 12th & 13th, 2024!

Our last in-person Cell-ebration was in Santa Fe, in 2019 and it was amazing event full of learning, connections and inspirational presentations.

Our 2024 gathering should be no less amazing and we are thrilled to have an inspiring line-up of presenters PLUS all new interactive "Lab" sessions each day.

Whether you're a seasoned Tellington TTouch® Practitioner or an animal enthusiast eager to explore new realms of understanding, this conference promises to be an unforgettable journey. You'll leave feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and armed with practical tools and techniques to enhance the well-being of the animals in your life.

In addition to fabulous conference speakers, there will also be interactive lab sessions where attendees can choose the session that interests them most, enjoying hands on, supportive learning.

No "Cell-ebration' would be complete without our Saturday night banquet. This dinner is always a fun way to casually get to know speakers, participants and organizers alike AND usually includes a showcase of some of our teacher's hidden talents and sense of fun and entertainment!

Linda celebrated her 87th Birthday on June 30th and it is always incredible to look back at the many achievements, experiences, and travels she has had through her life time. Do not miss this opportunity to come and re-connect and learn with this legendary individual.

I hope to see you in October!

Get all the info and register here: www.ttouch.com/calendar/CELLebration-Conference-Banquet_BySHBWSFEyx2DTc9b8.html

Conference Presenters:

Linda Tellington-Jones: Energy & Intention
Robyn Hood: Fascial Integration & Walking in Balance
Kathleen Aspenns: Supporting Rescue Animals with Flower Essences and TTouch
Tina Constance: TTouch to the Rescue
Stepanie Cote: A Vet's TTouch Journey
Karin Freiling: TTouch Miracles - PArt 2
Sarah Hauser - TTouch and Reiki for Animals : TTouch with Cats: Pathways to Connection
Jyl Hershman-ross: Integrating a New Pet Into your Household, how TTouch can help.
Sally Morgan The Role of TTouch in an Integrative Approach to Treating Autoimmune Diseases in Dogs
Debby Potts: TTouch Tools
Sandy Rakowitz: One Heart Healing Center: Spirit Animal Guides: Continuing the Connection with Your Pets Who’ve Passed Over
Marty McGee Bennett: Handling and Training Camelids requires a Mish Mosh of Methods!

14/07/2024

Tail assessment

09/07/2024

It’s hot out there folks! Keep your riding to early morning or evening or even better leave riding off the agenda for this heat wave and work on conditioning your horse to accept treatment from your Vet and Farrier 😉

06/07/2024

So important to be aware of this.

𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙇𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝

While living in a human world, equines are subject to a number of daily stressors that they wouldn’t naturally encounter: high demand for physical and mental effort, stabling environment, feeding program, human interaction, infection/disease, emotional dis-ease etc. Allostatic Loading is the toll of repeated stressors on the body over time, where the body has a finite ability to adapt before resources run dry.

Allostatic Overload occurs when there are more stressors placed on the body than there are resources available to adapt, resulting in zero capacity for additional tasks (recovery, healing). If chronic, this overload will ultimately result in the development of physical and/or mental disease. Allostatic Overload is most-often reversible by changing identified stressors.

If the correct approach is applied, Bodywork can play an important role in decreasing allostatic load and increasing energy availability for daily demands. Physical discomfort can be a major cause of mental stress and vice versa. Bodywork’s positive effects help to alleviate tissue tension, increase range of motion and movement efficiency, improve posture, decrease reactivity, and encourage parasympathetic activation. By addressing physical discomfort, we are simultaneously addressing mental stress and ultimately decreasing allostatic load.

It is important to recognize that an equine dealing with allostatic overload may not be receptive to intensive bodywork. In this case, the approach will be adjusted so as to not surpass their tolerance level at the time.

Send me a message or email at [email protected] to learn more.

29/04/2024

Some recognition finally!

Animal physiotherapists are highly skilled members of the veterinary multidisciplinary team (MDT). Understanding how to harness the multidisciplinary approach, as well as the importance of developing close working relationships with veterinarians, are key to enabling potentially life-changing interv...

11/04/2024

✨ 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲?
💥 𝙎𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙢!

Here are the top 3 things this powerhouse muscle is responsible for, making it arguably the MVP of the body:

1️⃣ Breathing: The diaphragm plays a pivotal role in this essential function. As it contracts, it flattens, creating more space in the chest cavity for the lungs to expand and fill with oxygen. When it relaxes, it helps push air out, allowing for efficient breathing.

2️⃣ Core Stability: Yep, the diaphragm is a core muscle too! It works in tandem with other core muscles to provide stability and support to the spine and pelvis. So, the next time your horse is working out, give a nod of appreciation to their diaphragm for keeping them stable and balanced.

3️⃣ Affects Digestion: Believe it or not, the diaphragm also plays a role in digestion. Its rhythmic movements during breathing help massage the organs in the abdomen, aiding in digestion and promoting better gut health.

💡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲

🧠 This is why it is important to assess diaphragm function at all initial assessments as it provides the practitioner with hierarchial information from which to build relevant treatment goals.

✨ I am so passionate about the understanding of this muscle that I even made a mini-course online for horse owners and therapists. So, if you would like to learn the anatomy, physiology, and function as well as how the diaphragm interacts with the nervous system then this short course is for you. Included as well is a step-step assessment process and one simple technique you can apply to facilitate healthy diaphragm function.

🔗⬆️



Take a moment today to appreciate this incredible muscle that keeps the horse alive every moment of every day.

27/03/2024

Companion animals are more likely to be concerned about the humans acting differently than they are the eclipse itself. Dogs, cats, birds, etc. do not normally stare at the sun; they heed their natural reflexes not to look (unlike us curious humans). Avoid encouraging your pets to look at the eclips...

18/03/2024

01/03/2024

01/03/2024

Val Black of Pawsitive Touch Canine Massage in Nanaimo BC is a longtime instructor, having originally taught in Calgary AB.

Val consistently impresses us with her Pet First Aid course evaluations. Here is just a sampling of feedback from her students:

🐾 "I would highly recommend this course for anyone considering getting their pet first aid. Quality information, excellent instructor, and a relaxed environment.

🐾 "So friendly, kind, amazing at her job! Made the whole day fun. I was nervous going into the course because of all of the info I had to learn but it was so well done! Everything was laid out in a very clear and concise way. I really enjoyed the day!"

🐾 "One of the most kind people. This course was very informative! I feel way more equipped to deal with real life scenarios with dogs and cats now."

We think Val is pretty exceptional too and we are so happy that she has been a part of WNW for so many years. Lucky us!

Are you on Vancouver Island? Join Val in her next course in Nanaimo BC on March 17th.

Register for this and other great locations via: https://walksnwags.com/pet-first-aid-courses/

09/02/2024

All BC horse people, please fill out this survey from HCBC

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

02/02/2024

Great learning opportunity

28/01/2024

Want to learn more how to help your canine or equine friends?
Some great courses here

This course is for horse owners who just wish to give their equine companions that little bit of extra love. Price is in Canadian Dollars. Payment Plan

19/01/2024

Free webinar!

It is back! On Monday 22nd January Tina and I will be giving another FB live, here on Well Balanced Animals Page.

This months topic is Nail trimming. I know this is difficult if not impossible for some of you to do at the moment. I know how difficult this is, because I have been there with our dogs too. However, using some TTouch techniques we can help you have calmer nail trimming sessions :-)
Come along and join us, Monday 22nd at 7.30pm GMT, here

15/01/2024

More learning anyone?
This is a great webinar!

What causes of kissing spine do you have control over!?

In the recent webinar with myself and Dr Neidhart we spent 3 hours discussing the causes of kissing spine and how owners and the rest of the equine care team can both prevent and treat!

A consistent feedback comment was that people were unaware how much influence their management and influence could have on the risk level of developing clinical kissing spine!!

The causes of kissing spine are multifactorial but while there are genetics, conformations and breeds that are more predisposed to the disease, there are a plethora of other influences that we have obligation to manage to mitigate that risk!

Some of the causes of kissing spine...

Posture, Genetics, Conformation, Breed prevalence , Age, Core muscle strength, Soft tissue injury ( suprasinous lig.), What kind of sport they do/ how they are ridden, Foot balance, Pathology/Changes affecting core strength and the dorsal myofascial line, Tack fit (Saddle, girth, bridle, bit)

Watch the webinar recording and find out how you can help prevent, treat and/or manage your horses kissing spine!

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/kissing-spines

10/01/2024

🌟Positive Postural Patterns arise from the ability of the horse to be pain free, with the correct muscles engaged and in the correct way, effortlessly 🌟

As I am putting together the case study page on my website (a long time coming!), I couldn’t resist sharing this little comparison photo from before and after a treatment with a few annotations on the key differences between the two.

In each treatment, the aim is to use neuromuscular release techniques to relax the negative muscles, and then through mobilisations and movement patterns, encourage the horse to engage the correct ones. This is very much a targeted stacking effect, but with the sustainability of the horse’s body in mind ♥️

The aim, above all, is to not have the same problem occur through the body again. I always say to my clients that I shouldn’t be coming back and treating the same thing over and over again, otherwise it’s a sign that the horse is not progressing.

I discuss more about this in my mini Online Course “Developing a Therapeutic Eye”.

Join here: https://vetphysiophyle.co.uk/product/developing-a-therapeutic-eye-online-course/ ! It’s a Facebook membership group that has a series of different webinars and resources about posture, groundwork etc.

The Case Study page on the website will be launching soon, and I will be sharing more information about each case — from tendon tears, chronic poor posture, suspensory ligaments, and much more!

18/12/2023

Interested in a great program?
Here is a chance for a taste

14/12/2023

The Power of the Four Agreements in Canine Rehab

Although we are always focused on the behavior of our patients and creating positive associations with us and our treatments, it is always valuable to gain more information on improving relationships, increasing compliance, and gaining the trust of our patients.

In a lecture by Ashley Foster from the Complete K-9, we gained valuable insights into how canines communicate and how we can help them feel safe and heard in our practices. I would love to share some of my take-home points in this article.

Ask the right questions
After discussing the different ways in which dogs communicate, Ashley asked us some key questions, and they really made me pause and think, and really question whether I am as fluent in dog as I thought I was:
1. Do you know what is being communicated with a bark, whine, howl, or growl?
2. Do you recognize a dog’s reflexive signals as quickly as they occur?
3. Do you easily decipher deliberate signals and communication that allows you to meet a dog’s needs in that moment?
As she spoke, she pointed out the ‘obvious’ signs we all recognize, and highlighted them with less obvious signals that I would have missed, signals that are easily missed if we aren’t looking closely enough.
The biggest thing I am taking away from this lecture is the four agreements. As Ashley spoke, she highlighted that these agreements can be practiced until they become second nature.

Four Agreements
In every interaction with our patients, there are four areas or questions we need to be aware of, where we are stepping into an agreement with our patients.

Read more here: https://onlinepethealth.com/the-four-agreements-building-strong-therapeutic-relationships/

13/12/2023

Credit: Scott Metzger Cartoons

11/12/2023

02/12/2023

A new study shows that massage does in fact relax horses. Read about it here - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10682011/?fbclid=IwAR0EAp20XaLvbm3GmT8oeaIhuBFg4AC6l6R_pg1TMIT2iW3hmqyq9AhTkS0

Anecdotal reports state that wellness treatments for horses, such as massage therapy, relaxes the treated animal. Massage therapists and horse owners typically report an ”improvement” without verifying or quantifying the treatment results. ...

18/11/2023

We have just learned that the CVO (College of Veterinarians of Ontario) drafted & posted their Position Statement on Veterinary Acupuncture. https://www.cvo.org/standards/veterinary-acupuncture

This will have a negative impact your pets where acupuncture would be the treatment of choice for pain relief. Currently you are able to have acupuncture at NCCC but, if this becomes Policy, we will not be able to offer this service. Please write to the President of the College of Veterinarians Ontario (CVO) , Dr Alana Parisi [email protected] and cc a copy to Jan Robinson, Registrar, [email protected] informing them of how acupuncture has helped your pet and wanting to have the choice where you take your pet for treatment from a Certified Practitioner.

We also request you submit a Complaint to the Competition Bureau of Canada (it's anonymous) against the CVO about this issue - explaining how you want to have the choice on where to take your pet for treatment from a Certified Practitioner and how physiotherapists with canine rehab certification, needling certification, and canine acupuncture / needling certification can help to reduce the stresses on the overburdened, overworked, understaffed veterinary system.

Here's the link to the competition bureau:
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/.../competition-bureau-canada/en

Thank you!

18/11/2023

This is so important!!!!

The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) is looking to take away physiotherapists' right to practice acupuncture or dry needling on an animal patient. If this happens in Ontario, it could happen elsewhere in Canada as well. Here's the link to the statement:
https://www.cvo.org/standards/veterinary-acupuncture

ACTION REQUEST please!:
Please write to the President of the College of Veterinarians Ontario (CVO) , Dr Alana Parisi [email protected] and cc a copy to Jan Robinson, Registrar, [email protected] informing them of your disappointment in this position statement, and/or how acupuncture has helped your pet and that you want to have choice when it comes to selecting a practitioner to perform acupuncture on your animal.

We also request you submit a Complaint to the Competition Bureau of Canada (it's anonymous) against the CVO about this issue - explaining that you want to have the choice regarding where and who you take your animal to for acupuncture treatment. Physiotherapists with certification in animal rehab and animal acupuncture / needling training can help to reduce the stresses on the overburdened, overworked, understaffed veterinary system.

Here's the link to the Competition Bureau complaint form:
https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/frm-eng/GH%C3%89T-7TDNA5