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FAQs
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How do I book an Appointment?You can either send me a message via the contact form on this website, send a text to +1-781-541-0057, or write an email to flowingwaterswholistics@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
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How are the travel fees calculated?Travel fees are calculated by putting in the total mileage (back&forth) of the trip, the current, local gas price and the MPG of my car into a fuel cost calculator - I use this website: https://www.calculator.net/fuel-cost-calculator.html Travel fees will be split by the number of participants/clients at one barn or in one area.
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Where are you located and how far and where will I travel?I am located in Northern California, specifically in Siskiyou County. I mostly travel all around California and Oregon, but am willing to travel almost anywhere - just send me a message to ask and I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out! Most of my clients are 3-5 hours away from me, and I'm always willing to figure something out so I can get you on the schedule wherever you are located in whatever way we can make it happen, so don't hesitate to reach out even if you are farther away!
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What is required for you to come work on my horse if travel is more than 3 hours away?For appointments that are more than three hours away, I ask that I have at least 3 horses to work on. If I need to stay the night due to the amount of horses or hours of travel, I will also need a place to stay. All I need is a bed/couch and a shower. If you are wanting me to come work on your horse but don't think you will find enough other people to make it happen, don't hesitate to reach out and I'm sure we can make something work. I also have flyers I can send to you, which can make it easier to find more people that want an appointment.
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How can I prepare my horse for the session?• Horses should be lightly groomed to be free of dried or wet mud, or ice clumps on body or legs, it is also helpful to have cleaned out their hooves. • If the session coincides with feeding time, consider offering the horse a snack beforehand to prevent any distraction due to hunger. • It's important that the horse is able to safely lift all four feet to facilitate complete motion tests and therapeutic maneuvers. • Prior to the session, inform the therapist if the horse is pregnant, experiencing a fever, or has tested positive for any reportable and/or contagious diseases, as this may necessitate adjustments to the therapy techniques or require postponement until the horse is non-contagious. • While horses can be lightly ridden/worked a few hours before their appointment, I would advise against any strenuous exercise, as that can alter what the horses body shows up with during a session. • Please keep in mind that horses should have at least 2 days off for hand walking and rest after an osteopathic session, in order to let their body acclimate to the changes in them. If additional downtime is advisable, the therapist will discuss this post-session.
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How can I prepare myself for the appointment?• Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes (consider hand warmers in winter). • Sessions typically last between 1.5 and 2 hours. Time may vary slightly, depending on the individual horse. For example horses with severe arthritis, highly anxious horses, or post-trauma cases might need a slower, potentially altered approach. Please be prepared for potential extended sessions and remain flexible. • Feel free to bring snacks, beverages, and an alternate handler if multiple horses are scheduled, ensuring everyone can enjoy the session. • Lastly, come prepared with curiosity and questions! Sessions are rich with valuable information and tips for maintaining your horse's well-being between sessions.
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How should I prepare the workspace for a session?• Ensure the workspace is protected from extreme weather as best possible and free from other loose animals or distractions nearby. It is always favorable to work in an area the animal feels most comfortable in. • The workspace should provide ample room for safe maneuvering around the animal. • The footing within the workspace must be clean and devoid of tripping hazards, excess mud, standing water, or ice and be as flat as possible. • All animals must wear a halter and remain securely held throughout the session, except when the practitioner requires control of the animal's head for specific tests or techniques.
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What does an Equine Osteopath EDO® do?• Equine Osteopathy is a holistic approach that aims to work seamlessly in conjunction with other healthcare modalities, such as veterinary medicine and acupuncture, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the body's systems rather than focusing solely on individual components. • Osteopaths utilize their detailed knowledge of the nervous systems connections between spinal segments, viscera (organs), and the craniosacral system to identify and address potential immobilities or disruptions in the body's flow, thus aiming to alleviate discomfort for the horse. • By the Equine Osteopath resolving these restrictions and immobilities, the body's natural state of balance and homeostasis can be restored. • In the words of Osteopathy's founder, A.T. Still: "Find it. Fix it. Leave it alone and let nature do the rest." Curious to learn more about osteopathy?
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Do you work on any other animals, aside from horses?I do! While my main focus and expertise lies in the realm of equines, osteopathy really is applicable to any body, no matter the animal. As long as I know the animals anatomy and general biomechanics, I can and will try my best to help other animals - of course the anatomy isn't completely the same, but most four-legged animals do have very similar anatomy. So far I've had the pleasure of working on several dogs and cats, as well as a goat. All that to say, if you have an animal that you'd like me to look at, don't hesitate to reach out and ask me, and I'd love to see if I can help you!
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Do you work on humans?I am currently in school at the Ankrum Institute for Functional Bodywork to learn how to apply what I know for animals, to humans. So while I am not a (european) osteopath for humans at this time, I am in the process of learning to apply osteopathy to humans. If you are interested in a session for yourself, feel free to reach out to me. At this time I offer sessions on a Donation Basis / Gift Economy (excludes travel fee). These sessions usually address just a few areas of your body, depending on how far along in my human training I am at the time, so it is not a full spectrum osteopathy session, but it can and will help with certain things.
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I don't live anywhere near you - how can I find an EDO® that can help me and my animal?You can visit the website of the international registry of equine osteopaths, where you'll find all registered EDO®'s; and if I am still the closest one to where you are located, please feel free to reach out and I'm sure we can figure out how to get you on the schedule and make a trip work! The IREO's website: https://irequineosteo.org/en/
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What is your Rescheduling and Cancellation policy?• We ask for a 48 hour advance notice for any cancellations so we may update the travel routes accordingly. • If a session is terminated due to animal behavior/safety issues, client may reschedule only if a vet can be present for any necessary sedation during the next session, or if the client is willing to have vet-approved sedation on-hand. (Practitioner will never administer sedation. All necessary sedation will be administered by the owner or a vet.) • If the practitioner is unable to finish the session due to safety issues but has been working on the animal for over 30 minutes, the full session fee will be due. • In the event of a client no-show or last-minute cancellation, a $40 rescheduling fee will result. Two instances of no-shows or last-minute cancellations will necessitate full, nonrefundable payments in advance for all future services.
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What is your payment policy?• Accepted payment methods include cash (preferred), check, Zelle, and Venmo (sent via friends/family to avoid additional fees). • Sessions must be paid at the appointment. • Failed payments will prevent any rescheduling until balance is paid. Client will then pay in full for all future sessions before bookings are confirmed.
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I really can't afford a session, but would love to be able to give my animal this support - what can I do?I believe that all animals deserve access to osteopathic care, and I strive to make this possible for as many people and their animals as I can. To help with this, I already use a sliding scale for payment. However, if your current circumstances make osteopathy difficult to afford, I invite you to reach out to me. You don’t need to share personal details, just a simple explanation of why you’d like a session for your animal. Once a month, I offer a session under the Gift Economy model, where payment is based on what you feel you can give at that time. This is my way of helping make osteopathy accessible to those who need it, while respecting everyone's situation.
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