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Thula Thula
Animal Therapy

'Compassion for your Companion'

Philip Barker

jake@thulathula.ca

778-867-2461

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Appointments
  • My Qualifications
  • Fees
  • Contact
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About me

I am a retired Trauma Surgeon ex-UK Armed Forces and South Africa with 40 years experience, many of them spent in the UK Armed Forces and in South Africa. I have seen the effects of conflict, with its visible and invisible injuries, at first hand in 9 different war zones. In these areas I have also witnessed the effects of trauma on animals. This may result in behavioural issues that may not be understood to be trauma-related.

My main interest, therefore, lies in Rehabilitation Massage Therapy. This involves treating animals that have experienced physical or emotional trauma and have been abandoned, rescued, bereaved or injured, including those recovering from surgery.

I am also happy to provide Maintenance Massage Therapy for otherwise fit and healthy dogs, but have a special interest in the older animals who find getting around more difficult or even painful.

It is the intention at Eagle Hill Animal Hospital to eventually provide a pool for Hydrotherapy for severely arthritic and immobile animals.

Appointments

First appointment

Your first appointment will involve my taking a detailed medical and general history of your animal companion and allowing us to get to know one another. You, as the human companion, are welcome to stay while I work on your 4-legged friend, so long as he or she is not distracted by your presence. Often, however, an animal may relax more when an anxious owner is not present.

(I am aware that some anxious animals may bite and that you may feel more comfortable if he or she is muzzled. Be aware that I am likely to remove this as it will significantly interfere with my ability to treat your animal.)

Some particularly nervous animals may need 15 to 20 minutes of just getting used to having a stranger around. This is not wasted time, and will reduce the amount of ‘introductory time’ necessary on subsequent visits.

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My Qualifications

I am a graduate of the North Western School of Animal Massage, based in Seattle, Washington State. Students from all over the USA go to this prestigious school and it is the only one recognized for professional certification in Canada.

I am also a Member of IAAMB/ACWB (International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork / Association of Canine Water Therapy).

Please note

I am not a veterinary surgeon and I reserve the right to refuse treatment to any animal that I feel should first be assessed by a qualified veterinarian. A refusal might be given if I discover that the animal has a recent wound or a fever, or is pregnant and close to the delivery date. Pregnancy, per se, is not a contraindication for massage.

Fees

At Eagle Hill Animal Hospital

All sessions will incur a basic fee of $100 for up to one hour.

Your animal companion is the driver of the length of the session. Some animals are quite happy to stay on the couch and be massaged all day! Others have had enough in 20-30 minutes. Sometimes my patient needs 15-20 minutes of reassurance before he or she is ready to settle down and be treated.

Home Visits

An extra distance-related charge will be added for home visits.

Details to be agreed on booking.

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Get in touch

Please feel free to use the form below to send me a message, or you can use the email address or phone number at the top of the page. If you would like to book an appointment for your companion, please provide as much information as you can about them and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Minimum of 12 characters

Happy customers!

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Bandit
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Grace
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Benz
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Larry
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Sophie
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Mister
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Tommy
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Four-by