Laura Sheldon is a Fear Free Certified and Certified Small Animal Massage Therapist with nearly 20 years of experience as a veterinary technician, bringing a deep understanding of anatomy, pathology, and medical conditions to her bodywork sessions. Throughout her clinical career, she gravitated toward the pets who needed emotional support the most—fearful, anxious, and reactive animals who often struggled the most in the traditional veterinary setting. She first began using gentle massage techniques simply as a way to help these pets relax, not realizing that the methods she had intuitively developed were grounded in massage therapy principles. It wasn’t until a close friend—who is a human massage therapist—pointed this out that Laura recognized the impact of what she was doing. This sparked a passion that led her to pursue formal training, expanding her skills to include therapeutic techniques for pain relief while deepening her toolkit for supporting anxious, fearful, and touch-sensitive animals.

Today, Laura works exclusively as a mobile massage therapist, meeting pets where they feel most secure: at home. Her practice is evenly divided between behavioral-focused massage—treating anxiety, reactivity, and touch sensitivity—and therapeutic massage for pain relief and mobility. She believes that massage therapy is just as powerful for emotional wellbeing as it is for physical comfort, and she takes great pride in bringing ease, safety, and connection to every animal she works with. “Your pet’s comfort and wellbeing is my passion!” guides her in every session.

Mary Ellen Goldberg LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS-lab animal medicine (research anesthesia-retired), VTS-Physical rehabilitation-retired, VTS-H (anesthesia/analgesia): Mary Ellen Goldberg is a graduate of Harcum College and the University of Pennsylvania in 1976. She worked at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Division of Animal Resources and for Research Scientists advising on their choices for anesthesia and pain management on their protocols. She was a member of VCU’s IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) for 10 years. She has been the instructor of Anesthesia and Pain Management at VetMedTeam, LLC since 2003. She is a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner through IVAPM (International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management). Mary Ellen is retired as a Surgical Research Anesthetist certified through the Academy of Surgical Research. She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse. (CCRVN). She is currently a member of the IACUC at the Manheimmer Foundation, Inc. Mary Ellen was chosen as NAVTA’s Veterinary Technician of the Year 2017. In 2019, Mary Ellen received the VTS-anesthesia, analgesia – honorary title from the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthesia and Analgesia in November 2019. She received the IVAPM Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2021. Mary Ellen has written several books, and contributed numerous chapters regarding anesthesia, pain management and rehabilitation. She has worked in various aspects of veterinary medicine from small animal and equine to mixed practice, coccidiosis research for a pharmaceutical company, zoo animal medicine and laboratory animal medicine since 1976.

Kathy Tupper started her professional life as a Technical Officer in Pathology, but she quickly transitioned to her career as a therapist when she earned her Associate Diploma in Health Science (Massage Therapy) over 28 years ago.

Her friends and patients brought in their pets for treatment, and Kathy was amazed at how well they responded to a gentle, listening touch.

Kathy worked for 20 years in an Osteopathic clinic in Sydney, during which time she completed a 5-year degree and Masters of Osteopathy at the University of Western Sydney. Treating her friends' pets always gave her great joy - and was a welcome relief from all the study.

Osteopathy in the Cranial Field has always been Kathy's passion, and she has been fortunate to receive amazing mentoring while pursuing further education with many post graduate qualifications both in Australia and overseas.

Her graduate diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine was a gift to herself to be able to integrate something she genuinely loves with the delight of communicating with and and helping animals.

After moving to Queensland, Kathy opened Bribie Animal Osteopathy. After many years of treating humans, she looks forward to seeing more of her furry/scaly/feathered friends and their lovely owners.

Sam Sherrington is an osteopath with a lifelong passion for helping both people and animals move well, feel well and perform at their best. From an early age she was the kid who could always be found around horses, dogs and paddocks, and that love of animals never left her, with various disciplines with her own dogs and horses filling her spare time throughout the years. Although she originally dreamed of becoming a vet, osteopathy turned out to be the perfect pathway - allowing her to work hands-on with both humans and animals in a holistic, integrative way.

Sam graduated with a Master of Osteopathy from the University of Western Sydney in 2003 and spent six years in human practice, treating everyone from newborns through to older adults. Wanting to extend this care to animals, she went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Chiropractic with Distinction, now more broadly recognised in Australia as Animal Biomechanical Medicine (ABM) - a field drawing together the expertise of vets, osteopaths and chiropractors.

From 2010 to 2017, Sam ran Centaurus Equestrian Rehabilitation in County Kildare, Ireland, a mobile practice treating horses, dogs and the occasional farm animal. Alongside her clinical work, she also developed and trained her own horses, further deepening her understanding of biomechanics, rehabilitation and the demands of equestrian sport.

In 2017 she returned home to the Hawkesbury, NSW, where she re-established a thriving and varied practice, Centaurus Osteopathy, treating horses, dogs, cats and humans. She currently focuses primarily on the canine side of her practice, working from her property in Tennyson.

Her caseload has ranged from performance horses to beloved family pets, and from tiny toy breeds through to working dogs.

Away from the treatment room, Sam homeschools her two daughters, juggles family and farm life, and keeps learning and developing her knowledge and skills both in practice and in her care and involvement with her own animals in their sports of choice. For Sam, the real reward lies in helping both people and animals find their way to their best health, so they can enjoy every magical day together doing what they love.

Amy began her education by pursuing an Animal Health Technology Diploma at Olds College, Alberta, Canada in 2008. After working in general practice for a few years, she saw the struggles of old arthritic pets and wanted to learn what more she could do to help them. She began working at an assisted swimming pool for dogs and was inspired by the improvements her patients received in comfort and mobility. This lead her to completing the University of Tennessee CCRP (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner) Program in 2017. Amy had the opportunity to practice rehabilitation as an additional service at various clinics, as well as a rehabilitation centre that had an underwater treadmill. Always wanting to find more ways to help, and concerned about the long term effects of NSAIDs, Amy completed a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Acupuncture through CIVT (College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies). Amy’s unique certifications enabled her to move to Honolulu, where she works at VERC, a specialty referral centre. She sees in-house post surgical referrals from the Neurology and Surgery services, as well as referrals from other clinics and more chronic or conservative/non-surgical cases. She particularly enjoys teaching owners how to do home PT exercises so they can be an active participant in their pets' care.

Ruth Hatten is a qualified Animal Naturopath, Pet Nutritionist, and Energy Healer who brings a deeply holistic and compassionate approach to animal wellness. Specialising in integrating the wisdom of natural therapies, tailored nutrition, and energy healing modalities, Ruth supports animals in achieving vibrant health and wellbeing.

With over ten years of experience, Ruth creates personalised holistic wellness plans that encompass nutritional strategies, natural remedies, and energy balancing techniques, empowering pet parents to nurture their animals naturally. Her unique practice weaves together ancient healing wisdom with modern, evidence-based care, effectively addressing chronic health issues and promoting long-term vitality.

Recognising that the wellbeing of an animal is deeply connected to that of their human guardian, Ruth also provides heartfelt support and education to pet parents. She helps them understand their role in their animal's health journey, equips them with practical skills, and nurtures a deeper heart-soul connection between animals and their humans.

In addition to working closely with pet parents, Ruth collaborates with animal-loving businesses, guiding the formulation of natural foods and supplements. She also mentors and supports fellow practitioners by sharing effective techniques and protocols to holistically enhance the lives of animals and their human guardians.

Kathleen Crisley (CSMT, CTMT, SCMT, CCFT) is the founder of The Balanced Dog in Christchurch, New Zealand. She has been providing mobile dog massage, rehab and fitness services for dogs since 2009.

Kathleen holds certifications in canine therapeutic, sports and senior canine massage from the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage in Colorado. She recognised the connection between pain and behaviour early in her practice, undertaking canine behaviour courses at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah before becoming NZ’s first Fear-Free certified therapist in 2018.

Since injury prevention is a foundation to good health, she became a sponsor of the 4 Paws Marathon in Christchurch in 2018, which is now an annual event. In 2023, she gained her Certified Canine Fitness Trainer qualification from the University of Tennessee, study which had been interrupted by the Covid pandemic.

Kathleen describes her services as ‘wraparound care’ which integrates with the traditional care provided by veterinarians. Her starting point with any new client is a thorough review of the dog’s veterinary records.

As a fully mobile practice, she values the opportunity to work in the homes of her human clients, where dogs and their families are most comfortable. This helps to build trust and understanding whilst enabling Kathleen to design exercises using items in the home, making it easy to adhere to the exercise programme.

With a first career in Environmental Science which lasted 20 years, Kathleen is a self-confessed Science Geek who follows developments in medical research, cognition and behaviour. Her blog, DoggyMom.com, is updated regularly with updates from the canine world. She has been writing a monthly column, The Canine Corner, forthe NZ Kennel Club, for the last15 years.

A ‘dog person’ for all of her life, Kathleen currently shares her home with a rescue greyhound named Sox. Managing his inflammatory bowel disease inspired her to start a support group for other dog owners. She also takes in special needs dogs for foster care.

Natalie’s career in the veterinary industry began almost 35 years ago as a trainee nurse after she finished secondary school. As her career progressed, she developed a strong interest in surgical nursing, in particular Orthopaedics, Soft tissue surgery and Rehabilitation. This passion led her to complete her Diploma of Surgical Veterinary Nursing and Qualifications as a Rehabilitation Therapist (Remedial Massage therapist & Hydro therapist).

Natalie now works as a Practice manager and rehabilitation therapist for an Integrative Veterinary clinic on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria Australia and she is completing the Advanced Certificate in Small Animal Naturopathy through CIVT.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being in the outdoors, in particular her garden, with the aim of being as self-sufficient as possible. She is also an avid Beekeeper.