The Caring, Compassionate Vets

1286 W. Chandler Blvd.

Chandler, AZ 85224

(480) 963-3003

We are excited to introduce the newest member of the Chandler Small Animal Clinic team, Jaclyn Pierick, a.k.a. Jackie.  She is a native Arizonan, but has spent most of her life in the good ol’ Midwest.  Jackie’s animal experience began at the Scott County Animal Hospital, where she completed an internship involving shadowing vet assistants, technicians, and veterinarians themselves.  While she will be utilizing these skills at our clinic, she will also bring something entirely new into the mix - Canine Massage!

Jackie has been a licensed massage therapist for two years.  Although her work with humans is rewarding, she wants to interact with animals again.  So, her dog, Fred (pictured left), a twelve-year-old dachshund, accompanied her to a class for canine massage at the South West Institute of Healing Arts.  Fred had a break through seizure due to Valley Fever about a month prior to his first massage experience.  After the class, he had a one-month veterinary follow up.  Tests revealed such a huge improvement in health that he was actually in the best shape possible.

There isn’t any hard evidence to connect Fred’s test results to the massage therapy he received.  However, studies have shown over the years that benefits of animal massage do in fact parallel those of massage on humans.  As you know, our clinic already offers grooming, boarding, and veterinary care.  Massage benefits correlate with all of these services.  The following examples provide just a mere taste of such a wide range.

In regards to grooming, young animals can be acclimated to touch with massage, making them easier to handle (which also doubles for medical care).  Pertaining to boarding, which is usually due to owners going on vacation, canines often suffer from separation anxiety.  Massage promotes emotional balance by calming the nervous system and gives continuous nurturance so your canine feels loved.    Those benefits concerning veterinary care fall under many categories, but for now let’s focus on post-surgery situations.  Massage stretches connective tissue, breaking down the formation of scar tissue; helps lessen inflammation in joints, alleviating pain; prevents muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity; relieves muscle tension due to toxin build up, in turn returning the animal’s full range of motion; and increases circulation, easing unnecessary strain on the heart.

The easiest way to sum it up is that all dogs despite their age, size, or condition benefit from the effects of massage therapy.  Jackie’s philosophy is to show them the same unconditional love they show you, because dogs have muscles too.  Her current hours at our clinic are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Open until 1 pm.  She charges one dollar per minute; small dogs estimating between ten and fifteen dollars and large dogs around twenty to thirty dollars.  She is also willing to do home visits, which are limited to Tuesdays after 4 pm and some Sundays.  These must be booked at least 48 hours in advance and cancellations must occur 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment with an additional five-dollar fee.

  Chandler Small Animal Clinic, a subsidiary of Chandler Pet Clinic 

1286 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85224 (480) 963-3003