Welcome! The Balanced Orchid is a small business specializing in Animal Massage and Bodywork. The Balanced Orchid Animal Massage and Bodywork has 2 locations.
The first is inside Fetched-Up in Ramsey, Minnesota. The second is inside Canine Crossing in Andover, Minnesota.
08/13/2025
Come say "Hi" and shop vendors at Paws in the Park!!
NEXT Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Mississippi Crossings in Champlin, MN!!
This free community event will include:
🐶 Puppy party hosted by Tiny Heinies Pet Rescue, all dogs are adoptable!
👮♂️ Pet licensing available from Champlin PD (proof of vaccination required; $12 fee in cash or check).
❤️ Sponsored by Elm Creek Pet Hospital.
Join us for a fun evening celebrating our furry friends! It will be paws-itively amazing!
08/03/2025
⏳🧬 Why Timing Matters: What the Research Really Says About Early Spay & Neuter✂️
As loving pet parents, we all want to do what’s best for our dogs — and that includes making the right decision around spay and neuter.
For years, early des*xing (before dogs reach s*xual maturity) has been widely promoted as standard practice — often as early as 8–16 weeks in rescues or before a first season in females. But emerging research over the past decade is prompting a much-needed rethink.
Here’s what the science is showing us.
⏱️ What Does “Early” Really Mean?
“Early spay/neuter” typically refers to des*xing before the dog is hormonally or skeletally mature. That means:
🔹 Females: Spayed before their first season — often under 12 months
🔹 Males: Neutered before 12–18 months, depending on breed size
But these are the very life stages when s*x hormones like oestrogen and testosterone are doing critical work — not just for reproduction, but for bone growth, immune development, mental resilience, and long-term disease prevention.
🔍 So, What Did the Research Actually Find?
Several large-scale, peer-reviewed studies have shown links between early des*xing and increased risk of:
🦴 Joint disease and poor skeletal development
• Early des*xing delays growth plate closure, increasing the risk of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cruciate ligament tears — especially in medium to large breeds.
• One UC Davis study (Hart et al., 2020) found that neutering male Golden Retrievers before 6 months tripled their risk of joint disorders.
🧬 Increased cancer risk
• Early neutering has been associated with a higher incidence of certain cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma.
• Vizsla-specific research (Zink et al., 2014) showed that spayed females were 9x more likely to develop hemangiosarcoma than intact females.
🧠 Behavioural and cognitive changes
• Early spay/neuter has been linked to increased risks of fear, reactivity, and noise sensitivity, especially in females spayed before maturity.
• This may be due to the loss of s*x hormones that influence brain development and emotional resilience.
🦠 Immune dysregulation and chronic disease
• Early removal of s*x hormones affects the endocrine system and may play a role in autoimmune disease risk, urinary incontinence (especially in females), and even cognitive decline in older dogs.
📚 Just a Handful of the Studies Behind These Findings:
• Hart, B.L. et al. (2020) – UC Davis 35 breed study
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00388
• Torres de la Riva et al. (2013) – Golden Retrievers
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055937
• Zink et al. (2014) – Vizsla Health Study
• Root Kustritz (2007) – Review of gonadectomy timing
DOI: 10.2460/javma.231.11.1665
• O’Neill et al. (2021) – UK VetCompass longevity data
DOI: 10.1136/vr.105828
And many more studies continue to support a breed-specific, age-appropriate approach to des*xing.
💡 So What Are the Options?
We understand there are situations where spay/neuter is necessary — for example, in rescue dogs or to prevent accidental litters. But there are options that preserve your dog’s hormones longer while still preventing pregnancy:
✅ Chemical castration (Suprelorin) – a reversible implant that allows males to mature before permanent castration
✅ Ovary-sparing spay (OSS) – removes the uterus but preserves the ovaries and natural hormones
✅ Vasectomy – blocks s***m without removing testosterone-producing te**es
These approaches can allow dogs to develop normally before decisions that affect their lifetime health are made.
💊 What If My Dog Was Already Des*xed Young?
If your dog was spayed or neutered early — don’t panic. You didn’t do anything wrong. You made the best decision you could with the information you had.
But there are things we can do now to support their health:
🌿 Consider discussing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with a reproductive or integrative vet
🐕 Support their joints, hormones and immunity with:
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Bone broth & collagen
• Antioxidant-rich foods
• Endocrine support supplements
We’re happy to recommend brands we trust.
🐾 Final Thoughts
This isn’t about creating fear or guilt — it’s about equipping you with science-led knowledge so you can make informed choices for your dog.
As we learn more about how vital natural hormones are to your dog’s long-term health, it’s clear that when we spay or neuter matters just as much as whether we do.
❤️ At Poochie Park & Pantry, we’re here to support you with holistic, evidence-led information — no judgment, just help.
Have questions or want to explore safer options for your pup? Just reach out — we’re happy to chat.
07/17/2025
🎙✨️ I'm joining Katie K-9 and Dr. Jessica Levy of Holistic Veterinary Care LLC on the radio THIS SUNDAY!! ✨️🎙
📞You can call in with questions about your pet and get advice from 3 industry experts!!📞
🎧 THIS SUNDAY 7/20/25
🎧 107.1 FM
🎧 12PM - 2PM
07/14/2025
🤣🐾💜🤣🐾💜
06/28/2025
📸 Here are photos proving Levon does like to chase those plastic bunnies 😁🐇
✨️NEW DASH AND HOP TITLES✨️
Levon received these titles in May at the UKC Cluster in Hutchinson, MN.
(I forgot to post them sooner 🤦♀️)
Thank you to Bailey Alex Photography for Saturday's pictures!
Thank you to Sydney Sand Photography for Sunday's pictures!
06/26/2025
I love this handsome fella!! 🥰🐾 Somebody please adopt him and continue to bring him to me for his massages 💆♂️ He's a big fan of them 😁🐾💜
06/14/2025
EVERYONE, PLEASE STAY SAFE!!
He was dressed like an officer but may be in plain clothing now!!
I am currently sheltering in place, in my home, until further notice.
This is so unnerving... and so so incredibly sad 😔
06/08/2025
✨️WHAT A DAY!✨️
Lisa Nelson and I took our city boys out to the farm for a Stock Dog Seminar!
🐾Levon and his Miniature American Shepherd buddy, Griffin, learned all about moving sheep 🐑 today!
Thank you to Becca at Wyanett Creek Farm!
🎉It was so cool to see their natural instincts at work 😍
05/27/2025
✨️🐾Another Intro to Canine Massage and Bodywork Class is on the books at Unleashed Hounds and Hops 🐾✨️
02/18/2025
✨️My rescheduled day to be a guest on the Katie K9 Radio Show is THIS SUNDAY 2/23/25!!✨️
🎙 Tune in to 107.1 FM
🎙THIS SUNDAY 2/23/25
🎙From 12pm - 2pm
💜I'm so excited for the opportunity to be on the radio, alongside Dr. Jessica Levy of !! 💜 Holistic Veterinary Care LLC
02/03/2025
July 26, 2024
✨️Levon got his Novice A Obedience Title!✨️
We competed at Cloud 9, in Maple Grove.
Levon took first in both Novice A Obedience and Rally Intermediate!!
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Contact The Business
Send a message to The Balanced Orchid Animal Massage and Bodywork:
My name is Victoria and I am an Animal Massage Therapist and Bodyworker. I run my own small business called The Balanced Orchid. I have been a human massage therapist for 15 years and animal massage therapist for 7. I specialize in chronic pain and injuries, with a focus in structural misalignments. I graduated with an AAS Degree (focusing on Massage Therapy, Kinesiology, and Biomechanics) from Minnesota School of Business in 2009. I also have been a member of the IAAMB (International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork) since 2018. Recently, I retired from human massage so I can focus primarily on animal clients, and I love every minute of it!
Even though I’ve been a massage therapist for many years, I have been working with animals just as long. Whether working at the Animal Humane Society, a boarding facility, a vet clinic, or volunteering with various rescue groups in the Twin Cities, animals have always been a part of my life. Since 2010, I have helped as a Vet Assistant for Dr. Jessica Levy of Holistic Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Levy has been amazing mentor by helping study and understand various ailments in the animal world. In my free time, I’m training my 1.5 year old Aussie, Levon, with Tiffany of AQK9, or enjoying a nice glass of red wine.
I love what I do and I’m so happy to go to work everyday! I feel that all the knowledge I’ve gained over the years working with humans, and continuing to work with Dr. Levy, can only help benefit your pet from whatever is ailing them. Thank you for taking the time to get to know a little about me and I look forward to working with you and your loved one!
