Balanced Bodyworks - Equine & Canine Wellness

02/25/2026

This is well written! So many behind the scene expenses for small business owners.

To my self-employed friends — I see you. I am you.

And for those who are not self-employed, this is educational.

When you see a service fee, understand that roughly 30% becomes take-home income.

The other 70% sustains the infrastructure required to operate legally, ethically, and professionally.

* Secure booking systems
* Website hosting
* Licensing and mandatory continuing education
* Liability and commercial insurance
* Facility costs and maintenance
* Vehicle, travel, and farm expenses
* Technology platforms and software
* Sanitation standards
* Payment processing fees on every transaction

In my case, fixed annual overhead exceeds six figures before I pay myself. That does not include corporate and personal tax, CPP (both portions as self-employed), accounting, legal fees, marketing, or equipment replacement.

It also does not include the educational investment behind the work.

To date, that investment is approximately a quarter of a million dollars:

✅ BSc in Kinesiology (UBC)
✅ Human Kinetics diploma (Langara College)
✅ Regulated healthcare license (RMT from WCCMT)
✅ Human Osteopathy diploma in progress (CSO)
✅ Multiple equine certification(s)

**And over 25 years of clinical experience

Maintaining credentials is ongoing.

Initial education is a capital investment.
Continuing education is a recurring operational cost.

And then there is time......

👉 A one-hour human appointment requires nearly another hour behind the scenes for charting, sanitation, billing, and communication.

👉 An equine session includes travel, vehicle costs, assistant support, video review, report writing, and follow-up.

👉 One educational webinar can take 150 hours from research to delivery.

Fees reflect the entire structure — not just hands-on time or one-one time.

Self-employment means carrying the whole system: compliance, risk management, infrastructure, sustainability.

Revenue only exists when work is performed.
Expenses exist regardless.

Pricing is not about what an hour feels worth. It is about sustaining a system built on depth of training, experience, and responsibility.

That is the cost of doing business.

02/24/2026

Ever notice how your dog zooms around one minute, and then moves a little stiff the next?

Just like us, our pups can hold tensions, tightness, and little imbalances in their bodies. And when their body feels better…. Their whole energy shifts.

At Balanced Bodyworks, we love helping dogs move freely, feel comfortable and get back to their happy tail wagging selves.

Because a balanced body = a happier dog 🐶

Servicing Western and Southern Ontario and a three hour radius of Maitland, Nova Scotia.

02/16/2026

Sometimes our horses say “no” and the kindest thing we can do is listen. If we don't listen, their NO can escalate into sometimes dangerous situations.

They are often trying to tell us something is wrong, whether it be emotional or physical or maybe they just don't want to be bothered today. Either way, we need to take a step back, honour it and see if something is in fact wrong.

To read more about respecting their boundaries and what they might be trying to tell us, visit the blog on our website.

02/14/2026

.✨ Grand Opening Announcement! ✨

We are excited to officially introduce Balanced Bodyworks to Nova Scotia! 🐎

Our equine sessions are integrative, intuitive, and hands-on, using a gentle approach that works with your horse, never against them. Each appointment is guided by what your horse needs that day and may include a blend of Reiki, Cranial Sacral Therapy, EquiBow, and Equi-Taping.

This customized combination supports mobility, balance, nervous system regulation, and overall wellbeing through soft, intentional, and respectful touch.

No two horses are the same, and no two sessions are either. We listen, we observe, and we meet each horse exactly where they are.

📍 Servicing within a 3-hour radius of Maitland, Nova Scotia
🚗 Willing to travel further for larger groups or barn days
📩 visit our website balancedbodyworks.ca for more info or to book a session

We’re honoured to support the horses of Nova Scotia and beyond, helping them move better, feel better, and truly thrive.

02/14/2026

These two loved each other from day one🥰

01/28/2026

Don’t miss our monthly newsletter! Get over to our website and sign up to receive some great package discounts for the month of February.

01/24/2026

Due to winter weather, extreme cold, or unsafe driving conditions, sessions may need to be rescheduled throughout the winter season. Everyone’s safety is our top priority.

Conditions can differ by location so please let us know if conditions change or worse in your area throughout the day. We appreciate your understanding and will always communicate any changes as early as possible.

01/22/2026

Seeing snow resting on the horses back rather than melting right away is a good sign of being well insulated and comfortable. A healthy winter coat traps warm air close to the skin, keeping body heat in and preventing the snow from melting. This means the horse is regulating its temperature efficiently and staying warm, even in cold temperatures.

01/17/2026

Did you know gut health affect your dog’s mood, immunity, and vitality?

G’s formula for dogs is designed to support a balanced digestive system and whole body wellness. We’re happy to supply G’s Organics products for your dog’s health from the inside out.

Message us for more info on products we offer.

01/05/2026

Many changes we see in horses aren’t training or attitude issues, they are nervous system responses.

When a horse feels stressed, overstimulated, or unsafe, their body may remain in a constant state of alert, showing up as tension, reactivity, shutdown, or difficulty standing quietly.

Supporting a horse’s nervous system often starts with simple things like predictable routines, quiet time without expectation, gentle transitions, and calm human presence.

When horses feel safe, their bodies can soften, regulate, and return to balance.

Stillness isn’t doing nothing, it’s where regulation begins.

11/11/2025

Our dogs give us so much..comfort, protection, and unconditional love. But just like us, their bodies can hold onto tension, stress, and discomfort over time.

Through gentle, hands-on techniques like EquiBow, Craniosacral Therapy, and Reiki, canine bodywork helps release those patterns, encouraging relaxation, mobility, and emotional balance. It’s a holistic way to support your dog’s wellness, mind, body, and spirit.

If you’ve noticed your dog hesitating before jumping, showing stiffness after rest, or seeming a little “off,” it may be their way of asking for support.

Learn how bodywork can help your dog move freely, rest deeply, and feel their best at every stage of life.

→ Read the full article at www.balancedbodyworks.ca

11/05/2025

We’re so excited to officially introduce Jodi Dennis, a valued member of the Balanced Bodyworks team serving the Niagara Region.

Jodi’s connection to animals and nature has been lifelong. Growing up surrounded by dogs, horses, and farm animals taught her early on about the quiet wisdom and energy that flow through all living beings.
As a Registered Early Childhood Educator, Jodi brings that same sense of calm and intuition into her work with children creating safe, nurturing spaces where they feel understood. Her passion for energy work naturally led her to become a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner, supporting both children and animals through gentle energetic balance.

Grounded in compassion and guided by intuition, Jodi believes healing begins with understanding energy, and that when we nurture balance in both people and animals, we help them shine in their truest light.
We’re grateful to have her as part of the team as she continues to support people and dogs throughout Niagara through integrative sessions as Sarah transitions to out East for December!