NBCAAM Newsletters

Massaging animals is my life, it saves me every day! 15 years ago, I knew that equine massage was going to be my second retirement job after the military, and I am working toward that goal. I participated in the Equissage certification program in 2020 and have not looked back. When I found a home in Washington state, I began my journey becoming licensed. I am a graduate of Langley Equine Studies, and I am nationally certified in equine (large animal) massage through National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM).

The opportunity to meet new people who care for their animals is just one of the perks of the job but meeting the animals is the heart of massaging animals. Massaging horses offers me life, I love being able to apply techniques that I learned through the program to help horses feel better. As a large animal massage therapist, you learn to read the animals’ eyes and body language, you know that the animal is feeling better after each session. When their eyes close shut if even for a moment and their breathing changes you know that you have bonded with that animal and changed their moment of happiness.

Every day I work on finding new clients to share my experience with and work on continuing education to help the equine patients. From monthly maintenance massages on horses, I have learned the horse’s characteristics and what they like and don’t like. I have learned from new horse sales that new owners have asked me to come out and put my “hands” on their horse to feel what they might need. I have learned to feel and massage the aches and pains away from barn accidents, from a horse being kicked by another horse, to horses being tangled up in a fence. Individuals want me to feel their horses and make them more comfortable. I have learned to assist horses with colic that need extra attention during and after care.

These animals shape my life and without them I would not be who I am today. They keep me balanced and grounded in a world that keeps us filled with chaos. They are my sunshine every time I walk into a new pasture or barn. They are my reason for what I do.