PetMassage, LTD.

Local massage therapist
rubs dogs the right way

By Jaime Willis
Staff Writer

March 23, 2006

Is Fido feeling a little under the weather or maybe jealous of the cat?

He might need a massage.

Candy Jelinek demonstrates massaging techniques on her dog, Sadie, who easily complies. Jelinek expanded her pet sitting business into energy and massage therapy on dogs and also opened a practice for human clientele. Sun photo by Jaime Willis.

That's right. Candy Jelinek has been studying Reiki, reflexology and pet massage, working professionally with humans and canines alike.

Six years ago, this Brook Park resident read an article about a woman who grew a pet sitting empire. Jelinek thought it was a good idea. Now she has almost 100 clients and two contractors who help. Pet sitters often offer clients products or services to supplement their business.

"I didn't want to sell dog biscuits or shampoos," she said.

She soon began taking reflexology and Reiki classes and practicing to build energy in her hands. She owns her own private practice, Reflexology and Reiki: Connecting Sole to Soul. Reflexology focuses on pressure points and Reiki on the body's energy. Energy work on humans soon progressed to animals when she found a pet massage institute in Toledo and took week-long classes and weekend seminars whenever she could.

"Someone would mention they had a dog and I would say, 'ooh, can I come over?' so I could practice," she said.

Massage and energy work can do wonders, especially for elder pooches suffering from arthritis, she said. According to Jelinek, it improves blood flow, the immune system, soothes fear and improves range of motion. She will soon experiment to see if massages can ease aggressiveness.

For the rest of the story, see your local Sun newspaper.

© 2006 The Sun News
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