Bark Balance Bodyworks

04/17/2026

04/15/2026

Hello everyone,

🗓This is my announcement that I will be taking time off for the month of May 2026.

As I complete the final requirements of my externship along with several personal medical appointments, I need to dedicate this time to focus fully on those commitments. With an already booked schedule with my full time RVT job, I’m unable to maintain my usual bodywork appointments during this period.

To help ensure your pets continue to receive the care they need, I’ve put together a list of trusted professionals you can consider while I’m away:

🐾Rehabilitation Services🏋️‍♀️
Dr. Jennifer Stelfox – Parkland Veterinary Clinic (laser therapy available)
Kelsey Brooks, MScPT – St. Albert Animal Clinic (laser therapy available)
Kari, RVT – Town Centre Veterinary Hospital (laser therapy available)
Penny, RVT – Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic

Acupuncture
Dr. Niran Sabanathan – Town Centre Veterinary Hospital (laser therapy available)
Dr. Julie King – Town Centre Veterinary Hospital (laser therapy available)
Multiple DVMs – Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic (laser therapy available)
Dr. Elaine Degraandpre – Northern Lights Veterinary Service & Acupuncture (offers home visits)

💪🏼Bodywork / Massage
Kendra, RVT – Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic
Angie – K9 Muscleworks (certified canine bodyworker and my bodywork mentor; offers home visits; laser therapy available)
Kayla – Ruff to Relaxed Therapy (certified canine bodyworker; offers home visits)
Kari, RVT – Town Centre Veterinary Hospital (laser therapy available)

💧💦🌊Hydrotherapy
Carly – Aquastride (pool only)
Kira – Frisky Pups Canine Hydrotherapy & Fitness (pool & underwater treadmill)

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding while I take this time to focus on my health and professional development. I look forward to returning in June and continuing to provide the highest level of care for your pets.

04/03/2026

🐣🌸 Easter Safety Reminder for Pet Parents 🌸🐣

Easter is a beautiful time of year—but it can come with some hidden dangers for our furry family members. Here are a few important toxins to watch out for:

🚫 Lilies
Lilies (especially true lilies like Easter lilies) contain toxins that can cause severe kidney failure, particularly in cats—even small exposures like pollen or water from the vase can be dangerous.

🍫 Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to pets. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous and can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures, and heart issues.

🍬 Candy & Sweets
Many Easter candies contain xylitol (a sugar substitute), which can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Even candies without xylitol can be harmful due to high sugar and fat content.

💡 Keep all treats, decorations, and plants safely out of reach—and remind guests not to share human treats with pets!

🚨If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, contact Pet Poison Pet Poison Help Line : +1-855-764-7661

🚑 Or one of our local emergency hospitals:

(Northwest) Boreal Veterinary Centre: 780-306-4400
(Sherwood Park) Pulse Veterinary Emergency: 780-570-9999
(South Edmonton) VCA Guardian Veterinary Centre: 780-436-5880

Wishing you and your pets a safe and happy Easter! 💛

— Bark Balance Bodyworks

03/18/2026

✨ Exciting News! ✨

I’m so excited to officially share that Bark Balance Bodyworks is now colaberating with Parkland Veterinary Clinic in Spruce Grove🐾

This collaboration allows us to work together to better support your pets’ comfort, mobility, and overall well-being. By combining veterinary care with therapeutic bodywork, we can create a more comprehensive, compassionate approach—especially for senior pets, post-surgical patients, and those needing a little extra support.

Parkland Veterinary Clinic’s mission is to provide quality, compassionate, and personalized veterinary care for every pet to maintain your pet’s optimal health. 💙

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated team that shares the same passion for improving quality of life for our animals.

If you’re a client at Parkland Veterinary Clinic, feel free to ask their team about bodywork services—or reach out to me directly to learn more!

🐶 Helping your pets move better, feel better, and live better.

03/13/2026

Angie with K9 Muscleworks has developed an online program to teach pet owners some basic foundations to perform massage on your pets at home!

"Discover the power of dog massage to help your dog move better, recover faster, and feel their best every day.
This beginner-friendly online course is designed for dog owners who want to support their dog’s muscle health, mobility, and overall wellness, right from home"

Head over to her website for more details!
https://www.k9muscleworks.com/challenge-page/learn-to-massage-your-dog-at-home?programId=54dd5dc8-d528-4ff7-877b-aaa9c4c883df

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

And remember, not all parasite prevention provides treatment/protection against tapeworm, so be sure to discuss the right fit for your pet with your veterinary professionals!

🐾 Not all parasites are visible... but they can still affect your pet.

Internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are more common than many people think. Pets can pick them up from contaminated soil, wildlife, fleas, or even grooming themselves.

Northern Alberta has seen a marked increase in the prevalence of the coyote-borne tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis.

Some pets show obvious signs, while others may look perfectly healthy.
Things to watch for:
-Changes in stool
-Scooting
-Weight loss
-Pot-bellied appearance in puppies or kittens
-Vomiting or Diarrhea

Routine parasite screening and prevention helps keep both pets and the people who love them healthy.

If you have questions about parasite protection for your pet, our team is always happy to help. 🐱🐶

03/13/2026

Did you know it's Pet Poison Prevention Month? A reminder of common toxins to keep away from your cats and dogs!

03/13/2026

How do you detect kidney disease early, you may ask? Annual exams and bloodwork! Generally speaking, once our kitty companions resch the age of 13+, it is not unreasonable to even increase to bi-annual exams and bloodwork, as the older our pets get, the quicker their health and organ function can change.

It's all about preventative measures!

03/13/2026

MYTH:
“A few extra kilos won’t affect my dog’s arthritis.”

FACT:
Extra weight is like petrol on the joint fire.
More weight means:
• More pressure on painful joints
• More inflammation in the body
• More discomfort when moving

Studies show that losing just 6–8% of body weight can lead to noticeable improvements in lameness.

When it comes to arthritis, even small weight loss can have a big impact.

02/21/2026

Spaying and neutering are important surgical procedures that provide lasting benefits for pets and the wider community. Spaying female animals can prevent uterine infections and ovarian cancer while significantly reducing the risk of mammary tumours, and neutering male animals eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and lowers the chance of prostate disease, contributing to longer, healthier lives overall.

Talk to your veterinarian about the best timing and care for your pet to ensure the procedure is safe, recovery is smooth, and your pet receives the support they need.

02/21/2026