Wellness and recovery for furry best friends

PROPRIETOR of Pawsitive Healing, Una Pianta, believes in an overall wellness approach to pets’ health, focusing on emotional health as well as physical health.

Ms Pianta is qualified in Canine Smart Bowen Therapy, Canine Hydrotherapy and Pet Psychology.

Despite growing up with numerous cats and dogs, she believed she was not smart enough to study Veterinary Science.

“It wasn’t an option,” she said.

“My teachers at school weren’t encouraging so I worked in administrative roles until I had my two children. While I was on maternity leave, I decided I didn’t want to return to that, I wanted a job I loved. “I became interested in Bowen Therapy as a gentle and relaxing way to help animals as an accompaniment to their veterinary care.

“I started studying Bowen Therapy in 2015 and became qualified in 2017.

“I love how the small relatively painless moves use in Bowen can have such a profound effect on so many areas of the body.”

After many years of dreaming about becoming a canine hydro therapist, Ms Pianta began studying in 2018 and qualified in 2019.

“Using an underwater treadmill can help dogs (and cats) in many ways and even in some cases help them learn to walk again after spinal injury,” she said.

“I then completed my certificate in Pet Psychology in 2020 to gain a greater knowledge of how and why our pets behave the way they do.”

Ms Pianta initially worked as a mobile Bowen therapist but wanted to open her own healing centre.

“COVID put my plans on hold in 2021, then in January 2022 I moved to Perth for six months to look after my mother who was very ill.

“Eventually I opened the onsite facility in July 2022. Many of my clients come from either Bendigo or Seymour and one lady regularly travels from Kerang.

“The nearest other Bowen and Hydrotherapy centres are in Melbourne or Ballarat.”

All therapies are done in conjunction with appropriate veterinary care, never as a replacement for veterinary care and advice.

“My favourite thing is seeing a dog walk again,” said Ms Pianta. “One patient was Charlie the dachshund.

“Four weeks after his back injury diagnosis, his vet suggested his owners look into getting a special wheelchair for him.

“Now he is running around and is actually more enthusiastic about exercise than before the injury.”

Local pet owner Amanda Collins says the district is lucky to have Pawsitive Healing nearby.

“I have a dog and a cat, both adoptees with their own issues, and with Una’s help they are both fit and well and happy.

“Angus, our dog, is much more mobile and flexible since Una has been helping his knee to get stronger and pain free.”

Ms Pianta is now studying animal osteopathy.

“I am deeply immersed in it. I wish I’d started earlier.”

Visit pawsitivehealing.com.au or call 0400 203 053.