Meet Paulette Jolliffe of Heart and Hands for Dogs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulette Jolliffe.

Paulette, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was almost 40 when I opened my door and my heart to a white German Shepherd puppy who changed my life. His name was Kapunzel and he introduced me to the world of dogs. It wasn’t a bed of roses. We seemed to be a magnet for stray dogs and homeless dogs who needed help. We attracted them wherever it went, it seemed. From walking around the block to hiking through the surrounding mountains, we encountered malnourished, injured, lost and abandoned dogs on a weekly basis. In short time I realized, with dawning horror, that thousands of dogs (and cats) lived in the streets of Los Angeles and I learned that thousands were euthanized at the city’s animal shelters – millions nationwide. A few years later, in the early 90’s, I founded the Canine Rescue Network, a nonprofit rescue organization, created to provide medical and emotional care for animals in need – primarily dogs – and to adopt them into a loving home. For ten years we operated in the Los Angeles area.

The experience with dog rescue acquainted me a wide variety of medical situations concerning dogs and I went back to school and acquired an Associates of Science and became a certified veterinary technician. I became employed at a holistic veterinary clinic in Sherman Oaks where I learned a tremendous amount about health, holistic treatment, homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture and physical rehabilitation.

Because I had been a massage therapist for many years for people and because I had seen many dogs crippled with arthritis and/or suffering from orthopedic maladies, I naturally gravitated towards the arena of physical rehabilitation for dogs. I became certified in dog massage and with thirty years of massage experience literally in my fingertips, I turned my skill towards dogs. During my years of rescue, I had seen and was left with haunting images of dogs who were euthanized prematurely because of arthritis – they limped, couldn’t manage the stairs very well, and had a harder time getting up and walking. Even well-intended people were prone to euthanizing their beloved pet because of limping or physical limitations – they would assume that their pet had no quality of life. I knew this was not the way it should be.

Many factors merged in my life which have led me where I am today. Now, I work full-time as a canine massage therapist traveling to various neighborhoods in Los Angeles to give treatments. My primary focus is the arthritic dog but I also work with epileptic dogs, dogs who have been emotional traumatized, and healthy dogs who benefit from the relaxing effects and supportive care of a massage therapy treatment.

Happily, the world has evolved and arthritic dogs can now be treated, living longer and more comfortably, with a variety of effective modalities including the more conventional NSAID’s to laser treatments, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, nutritional support, and, of course, massage therapy. Combining all of my past experience, my heart, my hands and the dogs, I now serve the Los Angeles area, doing what I love and helping those I care for deeply – the dogs. The name of my business is Heart and Hands for Dogs.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of the struggles I have is educating and convincing people to give massage therapy the opportunity to help their pet. Massage therapy is extremely beneficial and can alleviate pain in the arthritic dog and assist in flexibility and range-of-motion. A massage therapy treatment, though helpful after one visit, really needs to be kept up on a regular basis – that is where the most benefit occurs. I think many people have a tendency to dismiss massage therapy as frivolous and unimportant, and fail to give it a chance. Wherever I can, I try to demonstrate the huge benefits of massage, stretching and range-of-motion. Slowly, but hopefully surely, more people are beginning to give massage therapy a chance. There are veterinarians throughout Los Angeles who recommend therapeutic massage treatments for arthritic dogs and so I am hopeful that it will soon be more widely accepted and realized.

Heart and Hands for Dogs – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The happiest moments in my life come when a dog I am massaging gives a sigh, relaxes, falls asleep, or looks up at me smiling as my fingers read their body and provide therapy. I am simply fulfilled if I can help one more dog walk better, feel better and live better. The dogs are my strongest passion, alleviating their pain and discomfort is tremendously satisfying. It is my life and I am forever grateful that I can do this work.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My happiness and feeling of success is dependent upon the degree I can help my patient. Achieving quality of life for my patient makes me a success. If they can walk better, sleep better, have a better appetite because they’re not painful, are more playful, can get up and down easier and enjoy life with their family more – those are the markers which determine my level of success.

Pricing:

• A massage therapy treatment takes one hour and starts at $65.
• Prices vary depending on location. Most valley locations are $65.

Contact Info:

• Website: heartandhandsfordogs.org
• Phone: 818-859-6582
• Email: Paulettek9massage@gmail.com

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