Although Dual Certified for equines and canines, Meredith will cater her services to companion animals of any species and is a member of the International Association of Animal Massage Therapist. About the Therapist:
Meredith's interest in massage stems from the connection she has always felt with animals, and the innate passion to heal and rehabilitate them. It was a long time goal to become certified in healing the body and minds of those animals closest to us. Meredith received both her Equine and Canine Dual Certification August 2011 in Round Hill, Virginia from the founder of Equissage herself, Mary Shreiber. Before moving to Cody, Wyoming, Meredith was a full time horse trainer and barn manager at the Wyandot County Equine Rescue where she helped rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home equines of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. She has been involved in the horse industry for 20+ year and has successfully competed at sate and national levels. Besides animal massage, Meredith also offers services in horse and dog training and farm sitting. Please contact her for more info. Cost:
Equines-$60; 4-H discount- $50
Canines-$40; 4-H discount- $30
There is also a Sports Massage For The Equine Athlete Program that Meredith has designed to keep you horses entire body in better physical condition. Each program is tailored to your horses needs whether that's pleasure riding or very high levels of competition. Please contact Meredith for consultation, prices and packages. Length if time of a massage for equines ranges between 45-90 mins depending on size of the equine. Canines usually range between 30 and 60 mins. A travel fee will be charged to farm/home calls over 30 mins from Cody, Wyoming. This fee could be waived if serving more than three animals. *No travel fee will be charged at rodeos.*
Multi animal discount:
Have a spa day with other horses at your barn! Four-six equines is $50 per massage. Invite friends over for a paw spa day! Three or more dogs per home visit is $35 per massage. Multi animal discount, contact me for more info.
4-H Opportunities:
Meredith is excited to provide discounts to 4-H members. There is the opportunity for her to visit, speak to groups about the importance of taking care of their horses muscles, and give members hands on tips for helping their horses relieve muscle soreness during fair and show season. Please contact for price and more info. Payment is due at time of service. Payment is accepted in form of credit card, cash, or check. There will be a $30 fee for any bounced checks. Sweet TTouch Massage is based out of Cody, Wyoming and services areas throughout the west. To make an appointment or inquire about your animal's health in regards to massage therapy, PM, or call/text Meredith at 614-578-5798. Benefits of Massage:
-Improves circulation and as a result, promotes more rapid healing of injuries.
-Enhances muscle tone and increases range of motion.
-Eases muscle spasms.
-Reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints so that pain is relieved.
-Relieves tension.
-Stimulates circulation in the lymphatic system and hastens the elimination of waste products and other toxins.
-Lengthens connective tissue and so breaks down/prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces the danger of fibrosis.
-Generally improves the disposition of the animal.
-Increases the production of synovial fluid in the joints. Here are a few of the common conditions that can greatly be improved by Massage Therapy:
-Sore back
-Difficulty bending
-“Cinchy” horses
-Attitude problems
-Loss of performance ability
-Tying up
-Head tossing
-“Off” for no apparent reason
-Shoulder or hip lameness
-Stiffness and resistance
-Coordination difficulties
-Short, choppy strides
-Incorrect leads
Why Equissage Therapy WORKS! Sometimes tight spots develop that cause discomfort and hinder a horse’s performance. Muscle tightening does not remain in an isolated area or state. Since Tendons are only about 10% elastic, thus, 90% of elasticity comes from the associated muscles. If one group tightens, the next group of muscles compensate for the lack of elasticity. The tension can travel from one area to another compounding the problem. For instance, tightening in the shoulders can travel to the forearm, down to the tendons of the lower leg. Through massage, tension and adhesions are broken up by using a series of different strokes. By increased circulation and oxygen to the area, the body naturally removes the toxins and tension from the affected areas leaving the horse feeling more relaxed, in less pain, and able to perform better than before. The Role of Massage
Massage has been used for therapeutic purposes, on both humans and animals, since the dawn of time. Its beneficial use has been documented in our earliest cultures from the Egyptians, to the Phoenicians, to the Greeks, to the Romans and on to the present time. It is noteworthy, that in the very first books on human and veterinary medicine, entire chapters would be devoted to the use, benefits, and implementation of massage therapy. Later on, as so-called miracle drugs were developed, the medical establishment in concert with the fledgling pharmaceutical industry decided that "old fashioned" therapies and treatments - like massage - were no longer needed, nor did they have any meaningful place in a health regimen. It was only when prescription drugs (some with side effects worse than the condition's symptoms) became too prolific and too expensive did people begin to reconsider some of those therapies discarded in the past. Slowly but surely, in the last quarter of the 20th Century these modalities along with some "newer" eastern began to compete in a very real way for the acceptance and dollars of an increasingly discerning society. That is, society began to realize that they were often getting as much relief and treatment from alternative therapies as from pharmaceuticals and surgery. At the same time, people were beginning to understand that if these alternative therapies could help them, they would probably work as well on their pets and the other animals in their care. Thus, in the late 1980's there began to be a significant move toward the use of these alternative therapies on both companion animals and horses involved in racing and show events. Chief among these therapies in actual therapeutic value and cost effectiveness has been massage. Massage therapy is not a substitute for veterinary care. It is a great addition to your horse's current health care regimen. Equissage is the oldest and leading trainer of animal massage therapists in the world. Since 1991, Equissage has graduated more than 10,000 Equine and Companion Animal Massage technicians, from every state and 19 different countries around the world.
