Client stories

Having been an owner of active working dogs for many years, I have experienced the care and management of an injured dog. Many of the injuries revolved around soft tissue injuries, which more often than not, where not treated by a vet (with the exception of the administration of anti-inflamitories and pain relief).

I was introduced to canine bowen therapy many years ago and have never looked back. My current dog has been a Bowen client of Marie's on a 6 weekly basis for the past 12 months after cruciate ligament surgery. As a middle-aged, active dog, her activity level is back to normal and I strongly believe the regular Bowen therapy has allowed this to happen. Marie has a very gentle and calm approach, which the dogs respond to.

My dogs become very excitable once they realise we are approaching Marie's house; this just demonstrates the relationship Marie has with my dogs and the enjoyment they receive from Bowen.

Adrian M, Deloraine Tas

When I noticed My Australian Shepherd pup was showing signs of constant limping after short plays, at 8 months of age the vets had him x-rayed and CT scanned many times to determine the problem as he was still growing rapidly. Eventually he was diagnosed with “Bi Lateral Elbow Degenerative Joint disease” which was genetically inherited. So Arthroscopy fragment removal of both elbows and Marcaine placed in both Elbow joints was immediately required. Not a curative, but procedure would be of some benefit with additional treatments required for his lifetime.

Devastated as I was, at 11 months of age when his growth plates had developed, He had a major operation on both elbows. So after a recommendation to Marie Paterson of Bowen For All Walks Of Life Reilly started hydrotherapy and Canine Bowen treatments after he was cleared by vet.

Marie was and still is amazing with Reilly, she has a natural manner with dogs, that’s easily seen, as to how he responded to her. Marie genuinely cares for her clients and shows an interest in their activities, ensuring the best individual treatment for them. As he needed to go through different stages for recovery after operation, his Hydrotherapy helped his leg positions without losing his balance using the water as floatation, so he didn’t have to support all his weight on elbows, but eventually increasing his strength and muscle mass and improving his mobility.

The canine Bowen Therapy enhanced his Hydrotherapy sessions to calm the nervous system and reduce pain levels whilst his body is healing and reducing his recovery time. As Reilly is still and active now a two year old the ongoing treatments from Marie are proving to be effective maintenance to help improve the quality of his long life. Reilly is also still under ongoing care of my vet with Supplements and regular checkups. We now have regular ongoing visits, not only for Reilly , but also for my other two older dogs for their whole Body care and maintenance , as I could see the benefits of Bowen for their ongoing care.

With Marie's Professional knowledge and support, I have structured their exercise accordingly as well. I highly recommend Bowen Therapy, I see the positive results everyday...My dogs luv her to pieces with lots of kisses and snuggles on our visits.

Christina Jaggard
Westbury Tasmania

Saphi is a 9-year-old female papillon who has been a client of Marie’s since 2017 when she was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition. The damage to her spine was extensive, she was partially paralysed and was not a candidate for surgery.

I was devastated by her diagnosis, loss of function and poor prognosis. Marie gave me hope and following six weeks of restricted activity combined with Bowen Therapy, Saphi regained function and enjoys a normal life. Her vet was amazed by her remarkable recovery post-onset and her maintenance of function over time.

Since her diagnosis, Saphi has monthly Bowen Therapy to maintain function and mobility and she is a different dog after every treatment. I am forever indebted to Marie for Saphi’s quality of life and her deep compassion for every dog and every owner. Her knowledge and skills in animal and human rehabilitation are remarkable.

Cate, East Launceston

My dogs Basil and Chilli, or the dynamic duo as Marie lovingly refers to them have been seeing Marie since the beginning of 2017 for treadmill and Bowen treatments.

Our vet recommended Marie after Chilli our standard dachshund had to have emergency spinal surgery after being left paralysed due to suffering from three disc ruptures in her spine. Once in recovery from her surgery Chilli was able to start learning to walk again in the treadmill. We were worried that one big obstacle that we might face was the fact that Chilli was petrified of water but Marie’s patient and caring approach saw Chilli quickly grow in confidence to the point that she now loves going in the treadmill and is overall a more confident dog.

When Chilli first started she was unable to walk and Marie had to place her feet in the treadmill. Chilli now arrives at Marie’s and runs straight for the treadmill as those days are behind her. The other major aspect of her recovery has been her Bowen treatments. After her surgery Chilli’s back was hunched and her spine curved. When she regained movement she didn’t use one of her back legs properly. After her ongoing Bowen treatments Chilli is no longer hunched or curved! She uses her back leg 100% better then she did. Her progress has been nothing short of a miracle with her ongoing maintenance sessions helping to prevent her from having any further relapses in terms of her IVDD.

Now our other dog Basil, well we talked about bringing him in when we met Marie as a preventative thing but of course with our focus being on Chilli and her recovery we didn’t quite get him there before he went down with a serious IVDD episode and had to be monitored by the specialist for two weeks in case he needed surgery! Thankfully he recovered from this episode without surgery and we got him to Marie as soon as we could! We were told he had the back of a ten year old (he was seven). He had one further episode and had a c-t scan where his back was described to be a ticking time bomb. However he recovered again without surgery!

Despite his prognosis, his ongoing maintenance Bowen has helped stop that time bomb from going off with there being no further episodes. In my view Bowen treatments have potentially saved us thousands of $$ in potential surgery costs. The dynamic duo only attend about once every five weeks now as that’s all they need. They run into their sessions and we have a job to keep them still the next day as they are so full of energy because they clearly feel so good afterwards.

Marie has been dedicated to them from the start and it clearly goes beyond being a job to her, she genuinely cares and has provided us with lots of knowledge and guidance along the way. I would recommend Marie’s services to any dog owner who’s dog experiences pain but in particular I would recommend Marie’s services to every single dachshund owner to help manage or prevent spinal issues that can be both costly and devastating for sausages and their owners.

Catherine and Scott Brazendale
Legana, Tas

We first started seeing Marie in 2016 on a recommendation from a friend, when Maxi my red heeler x started to show sign of her arthritis catching up with her.

Over the years, Maxi has had regular Bowen treatments to help her keep moving freely. Last year we embarked on a 6 week intensive hydrotherapy treadmill session which had immense benefits for Maxi in regaining a lot of strength and muscle in her hind legs which has helped take the pressure off her front shoulders. She has gone from dragging her feet and being a reluctant walker to trotting happily along the beach (which is pretty good at 9 years of age).

We will be continuing with this to keep her in good condition. Jack my border collie also has had intensive hydrotherapy treadmill and bowen treatment following hip surgery (femoral head ostectomy) for hip dysplasia. This helped him recover after surgery and ensure that he not only regained and improved his muscle tone and strength, but actually corrected his gait which had been impacted by the hip dysplasia previously.

Marie also works wonders with humans too…..fantastic at getting rid of my neck and shoulder spasms and every other aches and pains. I thoroughly recommend Marie for improving the health and wellbeing for my dogs and myself. She is not only a practitioner but a well renowned instructor for Bowen Therapy in Australia and New Zealand so her knowledge and skills are amazing.

Sarah Campbell
Legana, Tas

Bella was one of Marie's very first Bowen clients. Bella's main role in life, aside from being a beloved companion of Lorely, was as a therapy dog at Alzheimer's Australia - Launceston, providing much needed comfort and support to patients.

When Marie first met Bella, she was unable to go to work anymore, due to severe arthritis and hip issues.

With the help of Bowen and working in conjunction with her vet we were able to get Bella back to work for 3 more years, doing what she did best, medication free.

In recognition and appreciation of the very important role Bella played in many people's lives she was presented with a certificate of appreciation and staff and patients held a morning tea in her honour.

Bowen Therapy was suggested to me by my vet. Bella at that time was heavily medicated (on maximum dosage of everything available), only on 3 legs and unable to go to work anymore to fulfill her very important role in life as an assistance dog. I had run out of options and the outlook was grim. I had not heard of Bowen Therapy but figured Bella and I had nothing to lose.

Over the course of several treatments the improvement in Bella was astounding. Bella became completely medication free and back to full duties at Alzheimer's Australia, doing what she did best, providing care and comfort to those who needed her most.

Bowen Therapy gave me and Bella quality time spent together - 3 extra years that we simply would not have had.

Bella loved her sessions and it was an absolute blessing we found this wonderful therapy.

Lorely A
Newnham, Tasmania

At the age of 3 Coco partially tore her cruciate and with the help of Bowen Therapy and restricted activities we managed it for 8 mths before she slipped during winter, tore it completely and had TPLO surgery in Hobart.

We continued Bowen treatments regularly during her recovery which assisted her healing process. 7 months later she unfortunately tore her second cruciate and underwent another TPLO surgery in Hobart.

Again Coco's recovery for the second leg included regular Bowen treatments.

We can't speak highly enough of Bowen Therapy and the care Marie has given to Coco; it has has assisted her quality of life and general well being.

After Coco's success my husband tried Bowen with Marie for an ongoing condition where other treatments had not offered the same results and he feels so much better after regular Bowen treatments.

We can't speak highly enough of Marie's care and expertise and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for relief either for themselves or their canine.

Kylie Clare and Adam Spooner
Prospect, Tasmania

Marie gave my darling Rocky such a quality of life in his senior years.

He was struggling with his joints and with Bowen therapy he was able to still enjoy his adventures every day.

I also have Bowen myself, which is so beneficial to my health and wellbeing, as does my 11 year old Maltese cross Molly who just loves her visits.

I highly recommend Marie for her passion and commitment to this wonderful therapy.

Jan C
Longford, Tasmania

We heard about Marie and Bowen Therapy after our Bullmastiff had had surgery for a damaged cruciate. Six weeks after surgery Poppy still wasn't using her leg and was constantly holding it approx 6 inches up off the ground. One treatment and Poppy walked out with all four paws on the ground. Over a short course of treatments, full function and muscle tone quickly returned.

Unfortunately 12 months later Poppy suffered a second cruciate injury on the opposite knee and this time we started a treatment program straight after surgery and her recovery was much smoother aided by Bowen Therapy.

Poppy absolutely loves her Bowen treatments and we continue with periodical maintenance treatments as and when required. We can't speak highly enough of Marie and the time, care and attention given to our girl.

Jenny & Kent
Longford, Tasmania

Frankie could not walk, having become paralysed in the rear whilst on a family outing. Over the following 3 weeks Frankie slowly regained some use of his hindquarters and then commenced Bowen treatments.

Here he is before his second treatment:

Following his second treatment:

Now, Frankie is back to normal!

This is Frankie running around and playing stick having a wonderful doggy time. Twelve months ago he was a very sick dog. While out for a walk he had a sudden paralysis of his hind legs and had to be carried home.

The vet's recommendation was to euthanise him if after a few days he was not showing any improvement. Very slow improvement three weeks in bed, then one night he poked his head into the living room. He could hardly walk but he was walking.

He was on daily pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Very soon after this on the recommendation of our vet, we took him for his first Bowen treatment and he walked out of there a different dog.

He has made steady progress since. No more drugs. He is now seven and is much 'younger' and more energetic than before he had his injury.

Robin and Tony
Invermay, Tasmania

My dog Bell has been seeing Marie for a number of years now.

Bell is no average dog. She suffers severe physical and neural problems. She is also rather unsocial towards people and other animals.

When I heard about Marie's Bowen treatments, I thought they may be beneficial to Bell. To say beneficial is an understatement!!!!

Bell's response to Marie is nothing short of amazing!!!! Even the mention of Marie's name and she gets extremely excited. This is a dog who does not give her affections freely - so that alone is enough reason to justify her regular visit.

However Marie's Bowen treatments significantly improve the life of our special little dog with a lot of disabilities. Marie's unique way with animals comes from the heart and that's proven with every good reaction we have with Bell.

Anne Dawkins
Launceston, Tasmania

There are no words to describe our gratitude to Marie for her continuing care of our 7 year old mini dachshund, Naji. Her breadth of knowledge and expertise is exemplary, as is the genuine care and compassion she has for her clients.

Naji responds brilliantly to her treatments, and she has helped him with everything from ligament strains to post-operative care and now ongoing preventative treatment given the nature of the dachshund spine.

We cannot mention her name out loud without him running to the door and waiting expectantly – a true testament to her ability! I cannot recommend Marie highly enough.

Marlo
Launceston, Tasmania

I have been watching Marie for 2 years maintain the health and well being of a now 11 year old Schnauzer.

What has impressed me the most is her individual treatment, not just doing the procedures and corrections of Bowen Therapy, but being sensitive to the individual.

I highly recommend her professionalism and concern for the animals she treats. She is obviously very highly skilled and experienced in her work.

Melissa J
Port Sorrell, Tasmania