Hi! I’m Brice,
a mobile Certified Animal Massage Therapist.
ABOUT ME
My Animal Massage Background
Hello, my name is Brice Johnson. I grew up on a farm with animals of all sizes and species. I have always loved animals since I was very young. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to work with animals, I just wasn't sure in what way. One day, I came across massage therapy and thought to myself, "Can I massage animals?". It turns out, you can and it is so much more than just petting.
Through my research I came across Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, one of the most renown schools in New England. No other massage school had their level of care, and educational depth in anatomy and physiology. Everything I wanted to learn about was covered. Needless to say I was impressed and thought, "I have to go here!". Jump forward to fall of 2016 and I was finished with my small animal massage program. I was hooked, I wanted to learn so much more. Jump forward again to November 2017 and I was a certified Equine massage therapist. After graduating I was still hungry for more information, I have been certified in animal communication, gait analysis, intro to saddle fitting, myofascial release and Reiki II.
My Human Massage Background
I started my massage therapy journey in 2014 at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy and am fully committed to my passion of helping and healing others. I find purpose in collaborating with my clients in perinatal massage with the goal of achieving the most therapeutic and renewing results without causing discomfort or pain. Previously, I had practiced small animal and equine massage therapy, had practiced energy work such as Usi reiki, and had trained alongside professionals to gain experience in human massage therapy. I learned about Prenatal Massage Therapy with Elaine Stillerman and had taken classes on perinatal massage safety with Carole Osborne. This has allowed me to blossom to my full potential in understanding the nuances involved in this holistic field of work. I continue to delve deeper into the educational world of massage and I added infant massage in August of 2020.
I found my passion in prenatal massage as I saw the strength pregnant women hold when carrying and providing for their unborn children. I wish to ease the physical and mental toll this underappreciated job takes on the body; no one has earned a massage as much as a mother. Expecting mothers are warriors and give their everything to their children. I feel a personal responsibility in helping mothers ease the common ailments associated with pregnancy, and truly believes that “it takes a village” to support and raise a child. I want my clients to feel a strong sense of support. I look forward to working with my clients to create an individualized treatment plan and bring together my wide breadth of knowledge of muscular, skeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, and lymphatic practices aimed at helping those who quite literally raise our future. I hope to return to this in 2021.
TESTIMONIALS
When we brought our 8 week old German Shepard puppy (Nacho) home I noticed his rear legs would buckle and he would lose his footing. His gate was off, and he did not walk in a straight line. He also hopped like a bunny when he ran. He fell down 2 steps and hurt himself, which was very upsetting. We took him to a vet who diagnosed him with hip dysplasia. He wanted to schedule surgery to fix it "as soon as possible". My husband and I were alarmed the vet was so quick to perform a major surgery on such a young animal without trying less invasive and less expensive options first. Brice (Ark Animal Massage) was recommended to us by another vet when we were looking for a second opinion. Making the apt was super easy. We spoke on the phone about "Nacho's" problems and our concerns. She was eager to work on such a young dog and see if we can stop, stall, or possibly even reverse the hip dysplasia. Brice came to our house for an hour and a half evaluation where she met Nacho, video taped his gate, and handled him a little so he could get used to her. We started with weekly massage apts for 1 hour. Nacho seemed to enjoy his first apt, he spent the rest of the day stretching and lying on the cold tile floor (this was like an ice pack for him) letting his muscles recover from the massage. The next few apts were like a courtship in Nacho's physical therapy journey. Nacho was friendly, sometimes, but not keen on being handled in the hip area or rear legs.
Since January 2021 Brice has worked on building up his front leg muscles and chest, and allowing space between his shoulder blades so he uses both front and back legs. She works on tight and underdeveloped muscles in his rear legs, spine, base of tail and knees. Currently we are trying to loosen his pelvic floor, and continuing to work on the rear legs. She gives us (Nacho's humans) homework to do to keep Nacho limber and build up his strength between apts. At 7 months old and 81 pounds Nacho shows no signs of hip dysplasia. His hips are in their proper position. Brice comes to the house every 10 -14 days now, depending on Nacho's progress during the massage session. His walk has improved dramatically. His rear legs do not give out on him, he walks in a straight line, he doesn't lay around most of the day anymore. His back legs are almost at full range of motion. He is full of energy and loves to run and run fast! We are so grateful to Brice for working with him. I don't know what kind of life Nacho would have had without Brice. She was really excited about seeing the results he would get with early intervention, and never gave up on him. She comes to the house with a smile and leaves with a smile.
It is so wonderful to work with someone who really, truly loves their job. Nacho loves her too. He is so happy to see her he practically knocks her over with excitement. As soon as she opens up her doggie mattress he jumps right on and lays there waiting for her to start her session. Needless to say Brice is definitely part of Nacho's pack.
-Maria Neal & Nacho
"Brice massaged my 2 show quality Rottweilers and our mix. My 4 year old girl rottie has a weight issue due to false pregnancies, and has had surgeries to try and alleviate the pain. Brice was able to help relieve some joint pain that had occurred from her weight. She also helped my 3 year old male Rottweiler to keep running around, allowing him to keep his flexibility and a spring in his step. Lastly, she massaged our 13 year old male mix and comes back quite a bit for followup massages, as she continues to help my dogs. I'm so glad I found her!"
-LisaMari J
"She was confident and calming! I really enjoyed the visit, she was very informative and respectful. She massaged my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and I will have her back for sure!"
-Susan J.
"Brice massaged my 5 year old cat after she had kittens to help her muscles relax and aid her body in the recovery process. Her belly doesn't hang down like most cats that had kittens. I was pleasantly surprised how well my cat responded to the massage, she was very willing and it seemed to help her a lot. I have had her back a few times and now she massages the growing kittens."
-Nicole C.
"Brice did a great job working with my three dogs. Taking the time to allow the girls to warm up to her, meant in the long run my dogs got longer, higher quality massages. She even took the time to massage the cat! She is great!"
-Christina L.
SERVICES
Serving Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits, Goats, Cows, Donkeys, Sheep and all farm animals!
Massage Therapy
Is your pet experiencing?
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Trouble standing up, laying down or navigating stairs?
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Separation anxiety?
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Anxiety while on walks, in new situations or in the home?
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IBS symptoms or bowel incontinence?
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Tripping, limping or 'bunny hopping?
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Shaky or unstable legs?
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Joint pain, stiffness or arthritis?
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Decrease in appetite?
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Muscle atrophy or imbalance?
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Past of trauma, abuse or neglect?
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Pain or discomfort from recent surgery?
Massage therapy has proven to alleviate muscle and joint pain, disease, joint mobility and range of motion, stimulate muscle growth, improve circulation and flexibility, promote a healthy immune system and rejuvenate or soothe energy, reduce swelling, and prevent scar tissue. Massage therapy is also a great tool for preventative maintenance.
Start before there is a problem, so there won't be a problem.
Initial Massage Therapy Visit
90 minute massage session.
Run-down of Initial visit: Once you have contacted me, we will have a phone intake, this is 15-45 minutes, we will also set a date and location to meet - either your home or Alternative Veterinary Services.
The initial visit takes about 90 minutes, starting with paperwork and an introduction, an explanation of findings throughout the session and a summary at the end of the massage. At this time, you may be given 'homework' to do with your animal between sessions. I do this in hopes of empowering my clients to learn from each session and help maintain the improvements experienced during the massage.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release(MFR) is an alternative medicine treatment that attempts to release tension in the fascia due to trauma, posture, or inflammation. Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds the muscles, bones, nerves, and organs of the body. Myofascial release treats skeletal muscle immobility and reduces pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles.
I use this therapy as a great additive to massage or in addition to Acupressure
Sports Massage
Sports massage therapy is geared towards agility dogs, this fast paced massage gets the muscles stimulated and ready to preform any agility event.
Sports massage focuses on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.
A sport massage before an event reduces recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event. It also promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and prepares their body and mind for optimal performance.
One of the key benefits of Sports massage therapy has the ability to target muscle-tendon junctions.
Accupressure
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork technique based on the principles of acupuncture. Acupressure is the application of pressure using fingers rather than needles on specific points on the body to control symptoms such as pain, tension or nausea.
I utilize Acupressure during massage and sometimes in addition to Reiki.
Gait Analysis
60 minute session with massage
Gait Analysis is the systematic study of animal locomotion. By analyzing and noting body movements, body mechanics, and the activity of the muscles. Gait analysis is used to assess and treat individuals with conditions affecting their ability to walk, hold a stride or any other normal movement. I offer this service in addition during a massage session or on its own as a gait analysis session.
Trauma Healing
Trauma comes in many forms, physical, mental, emotional or a combination of the three. Being separated too early from their mom, abandoned by their owners, or not being properly socialized could cause mental trauma that may present as anxiety or nervousness. Trauma settles in tissues and can cause symptoms of trauma to linger in the body tissues instead of being processed in the mind and dealt with properly. Trauma healing is utilized in my massage sessions as a tool to work on healing the mind and body at the same time.
Teaching Massage Sessions
60 minute session
During these sessions you learn how to massage your animal with simple and effective strokes that you can utilize daily to alleviate discomforts. Demonstration of strokes, guidance on form as well as explanations and 'homework' for you and your animal.
Reiki II
30 or 60 minute sessions
Reiki or energy healing is a Japanese form of alternative medicine. I channel energy into the animals in order to encourage healing. Palm healing or hands-on-body healing in which I place my hands lightly on or over an animal's body to facilitate the patient's process of healing. based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the animal by means of touch, to activate the natural healing process of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being.
Reiki can be used to help any animal or person. Reiki is a simple technique to relieve stress, pain and to promote wellness. It promotes the flow of energy in the body which in turns allows the body to function in a more holistic manner.
Benefits of Reiki may include:
• Increased Energy Levels
• Increased Mental Clarity
• A Sense of Calm or Balance
• Emotional Healing & Stability
• Clearing & Balancing of Chakras
• Can Provide Relief from Chronic Pain
• Boosts & Strengthens the Immune System
• Compliments & Supports conservative Medical Treatment
• Reduces Stress, Tension, Anxiety, & General Emotional Distress
Teaching Sessions
During these sessions you learn how to massage your animal with simple and effective strokes that you can utilize daily to alleviate discomforts. These sessions also educate you on how the body compensates, how your dog communicates as well as ways to bond with your animal and identify future problems or bad habits.
Gift Certificates and Referrals
Gift Certificates are available for purchase at any price.
Checks or Cash ONLY.
Referrals will be given a $10 credit for a future appointment, both for the referral and the referee.
SOME HAPPY CLIENTS
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns, reviews or any other inquiries about my business and how massage can help your fur-kid. I welcome all feedback and would love to speak with you about holistic healing for you and your animal.
Brice M. Johnson
508-826-6599
Facebook@BriceJohnson.AnimalMassage
Instagram@MassageByBrice
In additon to mobile(in-home) services, you can call the number above to book at my physical location in Andover, MA at Alternative Veterinary Services LLC.