Kind Words

"Val is a top-notch professional who really knows canine body mechanics. She provided massage to my Flat-coated Retriever and made such a difference that other people would comment on how well he was moving, even if they didn't know he had a massage that day! Working with animals is a passion for Val, not just a source of income. Her background as a teacher assists her when explaining the techniques of massage and her evidence-based treatment to her clients. Val also teaches the small animal first aid course in Nanaimo, Walks ‘N’ Wags Pet First Aid. She provides this course, snacks and beverages included, regardless of attendance with only myself and one other student on the date I selected. Val travels with first aid equipment on hand in the event that she finds an injured animal. She is truly an angel. She was a gift to my dogs at a time when they desperately needed her Healing Hands and compassion. I cannot thank her enough!"

— LORI AND LEIF

"Valerie is absolutely amazing and I cannot recommend her enough. She started treating our then

14-year-old Mastiff mix last year after he hurt his neck so badly, that we weren't sure he was going to come back from it. After his first session, he went from basically immobile back to his normal self almost immediately. Words cannot express how grateful we are for her and everything she has done for him. Since becoming a regular patient of hers, he has been able to experience a quality of life we had thought was no longer possible, even gaining back his ability to run around and swim! We truly believe she saved him, and that she is a very large part of the reason he is still here with us today."

— CARLY HARSTAD AND KUSH

"A year and a month ago, in October 2018, my dog Kali broke her leg. Two weeks later the other leg stopped working, too.

After sleeping for 4 days, she woke up and the healing process began. I decided on natural healing for her and now she’s running, jumping and back doing what a 10 year old dog does - being healthy.

Valerie was an integral part of Kali’s healing team. Val massaged Kali, stretched her legs, made me feel comfortable and did the magic that she does. With support from an osteopath, a vet who does acupuncture and laser therapy and a healthy raw diet with plenty of supplements, Kali came back from injury. I wholeheartedly support what Valerie did with Kali and refer everyone I can to her. She is truly magical.

This message was written by Kali’s human dad, Raphael Cohen. Kali and I thank Val from the bottom of our hearts. She is a miracle worker."

— RAPHAEL COHEN AND KALI

"I have a dog with hip and elbow dysplasia. All that vets offer are drugs. On Saturday morning, our dog was unable to walk. She had to be carried. She whined - unable to even get comfortable laying down.

I had met Valerie at the dog park. We figured, why not try something different - we had nothing to lose. She came over and worked on our fur baby. After an hour she was able to walk. The next day she was zooming around the house.

My husband and I are impressed! For less than the cost of our standard vet visits, we have a happy dog again. So I can't keep quiet about it."

— PENNY REYNOLDS AND TILLY

"After my dog fell through some ice and damaged his ACL a few years ago, we were referred to Valerie. Upon our first meeting, Val explained how she works through the canine physiology to aid in healing and relaxation. After a few sessions, combined with homeopathy and cold laser (from our integrative vet), Lars was healed from his injury! We continued to see Valerie, as we love her personality and how she brings tremendous relaxation and healing to our dogs. Since she moved away to BC, we have even made a trip out with our dogs just to see her! I cannot recommend Valerie and her therapeutic canine massage enough. The notes she provides and the instruction to continue working on our own dogs is phenomenal. And, if she can get a Shiba Inu and a Belgian Malinois to be calm through a session - that says it all!"

— JENNIFER OSTERO AND LARS & BJORN

“Our dog Duke had the privilege of working with Val for three years before he passed away from cancer in July 2018. We originally sought Val’s expertise as a preventative measure against the aging aches and pains that often accompany large breeds as they age. During the three years Val worked with Duke, she was always insightful and her depth of knowledge and expertise invaluable. She worked with Duke through everything from minor muscle knots to pulled muscles and was forever patient with Duke’s very low pain tolerance. Duke loved when Val came to our home for a session and would often thank her after a session with a single kiss (something he reserved for only very special ‘thank you’ occasions)! We know that Duke’s sessions with Val allowed him to enjoy a very high quality of life during his last years and for that we are truly grateful.”

— LISA & WILL BROOME AND DUKE

“Our Olde English Bulldog, Beans, was attacked by another dog during a walk. The attack caused him to limp and his knee would make a grinding noise. We took him to a specialist which determined he had CCL tears in both of his back knees. Surgery was recommended. We decided to look at alternatives due to the recovery time and cost. We found Val and appreciated that she was certified and focused only on massage. Beans began to see Val on a weekly basis for around a month. After the first few appointments, we noticed that the grinding noise had stopped and that Beans was no longer limping. We continued the treatment and moved to bi-weekly appointments. A few months later Beans is jumping, running and amazing us with his energy. He can balance on his back legs, which we have never seen him do even before the attack. We have been extremely impressed with the service and would recommend Val to anyone who has a dog with mobility issues.”

— MEGAN & SHANE SELLAR AND BEANS

“Canine massage absolutely works! Our 85 lb. the dog has limped on his front leg for over four years. We tried everything to help him – chiropractor, glucosamine, acupuncture – all to no avail. Then we found Pawsitive Touch Canine Massage. Val worked her massage magic on him for three treatments so far and the difference is amazing! He no longer limps after a long walk or runs, he runs downstairs again, he even plays like a puppy! Val’s passion for her work is so obvious, as is her love of every dog she meets. She is kind, patient, calm and dogs are naturally drawn to her. Thank you, Val, for your hard work. Your assistance in improving the quality of life of our big “fur-baby” is so very much appreciated!”

— DANA RODE AND KIYA

“It was such a pleasure having Val in my home to do massage with my puppy. Now I say puppy, but he’s a purebred giant Alaskan Malamute, so he’s 110lbs and his name is Ares. Last year Ares pulled a muscle in his thigh, which has caused him to limp when he plays for too long. The vet looked at it but said there wasn’t much we could do. So I was thrilled when I was told about the benefits of dog massage. I got in touch with Val and learned even more amazing benefits while going through her website. I can tell you Val showed up at my house and she has such a warmth to her. She is extremely comforting and Ares just loved her. She just created the perfect environment. I watched her take my 110 lbs dog and turn him into butter. The time and care she took with him was amazing. Even more amazing was how after even just one treatment, I could see a massive difference. You could now touch his hip without him getting upset. He wasn’t walking so stiffly and he was running better. It was the best thing I could have done for him. I cannot wait to do more treatments, because not only is it improving his quality of life, he just all around enjoyed it. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Val herself or the works she has done. I am extremely grateful.”

— BRANDIE SEDORE AND ARES

From the 2013 AAC National Championships in Leduc, Alberta:

Emma, of www.milesandemma.com, has written an in-depth account of the experience she and her dog, Miles, had with Pawsitive Touch Canine Massage. She brought her 4 year old, male Welsh Terrier to me after he had been attacked by another dog a week prior. He had been traumatized by the attack to the point that he would not leave Emma's side, nor would he sleep in his own bed. They were in Alberta for the 2013 AAC National Championships, an event in which Miles was supposed to have competed, if it were not for his injuries.

Here is a passage:

"After the massage, Miles relaxed for the first time since the attack. He went from cowering and shaking violently in the corners of my friend's home...to walking around her home exploring later that evening. I could not believe it on so many levels. I was in complete awe of Val's ability to navigate Miles' body in a way that even I am not allowed. Being a terrier, my dog can be pretty antsy about being touched for any prolonged period, and that is on a good day! She clearly knows what she is doing, and she proved to me that massage works for animals, not just humans. We went back to see Val the next day to get Miles a second massage. I would have never guessed how helpful massage would be for Miles. It ended up being truly invaluable to his recovery in every way. Because Miles walked away from the massages feeling so relaxed, his body was able focus on healing, rather than focusing on mental anxiety and physical tension."

View the whole article and watch the video.

— EMMA KESLER AND MILES

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