Equine & Canine Therapy By Julie

19/07/2025

Bodywork isn't a luxury. It should be a part of every horse's routine, no matter what level of work they are in. No matter what stage of life.

I could pick apart these pictures - carrying too much weight. Thoracic sling dysfunction. Compensatory posture. Hollow through the spine which can lead to compression. Pecs so tight they can barely be viewed in the first picture. Tension through the hind end - glutes, hamstrings, adductors, TFL, and through the pelvis. The list gets longer when the small things lead to significant changes that are detrimental to their wellbeing. Most people don't realise there is an issue until they're calling the vet. That is why this work is so important. And why training your eye and listening to your horse really matters.

These pictures are only days apart - after one Physical Therapy session, applied K-tape to offer support and pain relief, along with Phototherapy for further pain relief, and rehabilitation exercises prescribed. I wanted to give a visual to show you how early on, there are positive changes and more ease brought about by these wonderful modalities. This mare has a long way to go, but it will be lovely to follow her journey once she's fit and feeling more at home in her body. Everything you do with your horses matters. A little goes a long way.

13/07/2025

When you're enjoying your therapy session so much, you fall asleep with your blep out! 🙈🤣

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11/07/2025

Sending all the love and light to my precious friend today for his important appointment. If anyone deserves his miracle, it's little Stout and his amazing family and carers. Light those candles, guys! 🙏💜

05/07/2025

Another great day for Stout! 💪 🥰

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04/07/2025

Be still, my heart!

I had the absolute honour and pleasure of meeting and working with the incredible little Stout from the (wspca) wexford society prevention of cruelty to animals yesterday for the first time. 🥰💜

Isn't he just so beautiful?
Stout's foster parents and all his team are going above and beyond for him, and I'm very grateful to be a part of his journey.

24/06/2025

Why massage therapy?

Massage therapy has added endless layers and benefits to my own animals' lives. I'm going to try not to nerd out here too much, guys, so stick with me! 😁 Have you ever heard of myofascia? Fascia is like a web of magic encased around all of the body's structures. When the soft tissues are compromised due to injury or musculoskeletal imbalances, part of this web begins to clump together. Ever had a testy knot in your shoulder that's been niggling a little while? You ignore it, and all of a sudden you have lower back pain that makes you feel like you've been hit by a truck! A build-up of scar tissue develops over time, leading to compensatory patterns, putting pressure on those precious joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Who is it for?
All of our dogs and horses can benefit from massage therapy. Old dogs, young dogs, sporting dogs, couch potatoes, post-op rehabilitation. Competition horses, happy hackers, racers, polocrosse, the unridden horse, you name it!

What's my aim?
My aim as a therapist and devoted animal lover is to share the wonders of massage therapy, how effective it can be as a management tool, for injury prevention, rehab, and far beyond. I want to show you how possible it is for our dogs and horses to live a life comfortable in their bodies and to thrive, no matter what stage in life they are at.

What's the dream?
The ultimate dream, is a world in which this wonderful modality becomes a part of your animals regular routine. That it isn't just a tool we reach for when damage has already been done, but it is as routine as you or I going for a haircut, or for a massage ourselves! Why? Because we know ourselves how debilitating pain can be. It can alter behaviour, affect quality of life, and really get us down. It's not about surviving but thriving!

Movement in medicine. 🐕💜🐎
If you have any questions, be sure to message me.

21/06/2025

Team Isla. 🥰🤍

The smiliest girly 💞🎉

11/06/2025

Met this beautiful, dreamy boy for the first time today. 🥰

What a stretch!

06/06/2025

Killkenny & surrounds this Sunday.
Message to book.
A share always helps! 😊🙏

13/05/2025

It takes time.

Time for the nervous system to unwind. Time for the individual to fall into a receiving energy. Time for their vulnerability to show, for them to place their trust in your hands and to allow you to tell their story.

I'm going to speak a little about my friend, with the intention of this documented photo journal showing you, as a canine guardian, just how powerful manual therapy can be for your dog, what is available to you; their sacred yes and no, and just how magical the art of touch can be.

Isla arrived from a wonderful rescue who had pulled her off a dog meat truck in China. When she arrived, I compiled a list of subtleties which I'll share with you, encouraging you to train your eye for your own beloved dogs. I always say this - you know your animal best. Always, always go with your instinct, and if something is nagging at you, it is for a reason. Keep advocating for your animals.

She had significant muscle atrophy throughout her hind end for such a young dog, with practically non-existent muscling along her back (she also presents with lordosis due to poor confirmation), a splayed toe through her left fore which I suspect is nerve damage, sloppy sits, & consistent sliding on any unstable surface due to overall weakness. What you see in the after pictures and videos is a different dog after numerous sessions of massage therapy and myosfascial work, slow & steady conditioning, regular vet checks, good nutrition, & a solid behaviour modification programme to nurture confidence. Her chest has filled out, her hamstrings are visible, she's robust, her posture is a world away from when she landed, her topline has improved more so than I ever thought possible - she's stronger & happy to navigate challenging environments & work along different terrain. And this is a dog that isn't built for stamina in the confirmational sense, but she is happy & comfortable experiencing everything life has to offer. If we approach our dogs as individuals & work to fulfil their needs, they are given the best possible chance to live long, fulfilling lives.

Massage therapy & energetics go hand in hand and are inexpendable modalities to our dog's lives.

1

16/04/2025

'Meraki' - to do something with soul, creativity, and love. To put something of yourself into your work.

My name is Julie. I love animals, not for what they can give to me, but for who they are as individuals. My dream of holding space for each of them is a reality. What matters to me is how we make them feel, and what I can do to teach their humans the presence needed to connect on a deeper level, to show people there are other ways. A selfless, kind reality where our animals have a voice, and their wellbeing is always put first. How I can offer a safe space so they can let down their heavy loads, in their own time. The core of my being belongs to devoting myself as a vessel to their healing.

02/03/2025

Sundays are for massage therapy.

Isla receives weekly sessions as a preventative, as well as to promote healthy blood flow to the muscles and tissues, to nurture the wellbeing of the myofascia, and to break up any scar tissue that may form, as well as compensatory patterns - we absolutely are not a fan of those! As soon as I see a little hint of compensation or restriction, we're on it!

When I first introduced massage therapy to her, there were areas that were no-go's, and that's something I very much respect with animals and love to build up to. It's all about building trust and connection and allowing the relationship to evolve over time, with autonomy and agency at the forefront of our sessions. I don't only honour this with her, but every animal. It's a huge thing for another sentient being to meet you in a vulnerable space and to trust you to hold them and guide them through it. Isla's hindquarters were an absolute no during early days, and this morning, she actually came and requested the session herself by throwing a hind leg at me! As you can see from the pictures, she's very comfortable now, and I can work freely knowing she trusts me with her most vulnerable areas. This work is more to me than a job. It's my life and brings meaning to every fibre of my being, and I feel so honoured to be able to facilitate this space and to watch them transform. She's a true example of how beneficial massage therapy is for rescue animals. There's a huge place for it in the daily lives of our companion animals, and we've got to get the word out there!