Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Arvelo.
Hi Tracey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Tracey Arvelo. I have worked as a Veterinary Technician for over 30 years. In my career, unknowingly, I have seen the need for canine massage and rehab in many patients. However, it wasn’t until one of my pups started to show signs of lameness that I even knew Canine Massage + Bodywork was a profession. Mutts CCO, Chief Canine Officer Pe’ahi Pete, is the “Why” behind Mutts getting started. At about seven months old, I noticed he was already showing signs of stiffness and getting up slow. He seemed sore after long walks or playing hard. At first, I just chalked it up to puppy growing pains, but it persisted. So off to work with me, he went to the hospital. Radiographs revealed he had hip dysplasia. Needless to say, I was heartbroken for my little guy. He was a rescue, more than likely from a backyard breeder.
The orthopedic surgeon reviewed his X-rays and it was determined he was not a candidate for any type of surgery at this point. So I was on to internet searches to see how I could help my boy live his best life and keep him strong, healthy and pain-free for as long as possible. Canine Massage kept coming up. I searched in my area and could not find anyone who did what sounded like was an amazing profession. So I did more research and long story short, I am a fully certified Myo Manipulative Functional Therapist and, along with my Vet Tech experience, am here to help your pups too. Pete gets weekly massages, red light and Laser therapy and does not skip a beat. I do not notice any lameness or favoring of that hip that is so bad. He enjoys playing, SUP Pupping (stand up paddle boarding) with me, riding in the boat, jumping off the back of the boat and swimming for days and LOVES to chase his ball forever. That’s all we can ask for is that they live their BEST LIFE with PAWsitive VIbes only!
I have seen my own dogs as well as families and friends dogs who I have worked on greatly benefit from massage and bodywork. Ya know that feeling we get after a great relaxing massage? Dogs feel the same! I have witnessed it many times and received feedback from owners confirming. As comes with age, so do age-related issues and I noticed a lot of what affects us as humans also affects dogs, ie, arthritis, muscle atrophy, etc. Dogs are special; we all know that otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. Let’s all show them a little love for all of the unconditional love they give to us no matter what. I hope here at Mutts and Muscles we can help your best friend too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I started to build the business right when COVID hit, so that was a bit though, as I could not physically walk in and meet with doctors and speak with them about what I was offering and the benefits, etc. However, since I am a mobile and have Rad van my husband and I found and fixed up for Mutts, I ended up doing ok. I believe the Mutt bus, 1990 VW Vanagon with a bed in the back that lies down and is PERFECT for Muttsages, is getting recognized all over town. Constant 🤙🏼 and horn honks. It’s pretty cool. So a few challenges along the way, mostly just getting word out and because I am small, it is mostly word of mouth and social media. Advertising is still pretty $$ for me. We do some pop-up events here and there and those are always fun any I love meeting new pups and their owners. My husband Dave is my biggest fan, I guess you could say, always helping me set up and drives the bus to run errands around town and anytime he sees a pup, he will pass out my treato bags with the business card in it. He’s awesome!!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So I already kind of went over my qualifications, etc. I wanted to just touch base here on the extras. I include, when needed, my red light therapy and my LLLT (low lever laser therapy). Cold laser can speed up healing and reduce pain by stimulating tissue at a cellular level. Both red light and cold laser can reduce inflammation and improve circulation all while relieving some of your pet’s pain quickly.
Mutts also gives back monthly to rescue. We support local rescues as well as a few on social media near to our hearts. We are working on teaming up with some local rescues to offer Muttsages and red light/laser treatment to some of their rescues in need as well. I am also currently in school working on my Certification of becoming a Canine Osteopath through the London College of Osteopathy. I am always looking for ways to further my knowledge to be able to help my pup patients as a whole and the aim of the canine osteopath is to always look for the underlying cause(s) of the dog’s problem and return its body to balance.
I absolutely love what I do and am ever so grateful to be able to do it. I have helped lame pups be limp-free, older pups be more comfortable , post surgical pups and even surgical cases who ended up not needing surgery. I also see a handful of Working K9 Officers after their trainings or just after a hard week. I have seen six months old pups to 15-year-old seniors and I adjust accordingly. Just like humans an assessment is done and a plan is made and we go from there. First session is usually an hour or so, including assessment and first treatment and is $60. Moving on from there, each pet is different. Depending on their individual plan and how much time is needed or how long will sit for depends on their visit fee and Muttsage time. I have tricks for the wiggly pups or for when I really need to work an area, ie pupscicles (good for them of course and always ok’d prior by owner) or lick pads with something yummy, or the ever so popular snuffle pad where they search for treats hidden inside.
I think a big part that sets me apart from others is from what I’ve been told is my personality and skill set. I am very approachable and bubbly (I’ve been told) and easy to talk to and knowledgeable in my area. My LOVE of what I do and PUPS shows. It’s clear its not just a job, but that I clearly want to help my pup patients. I still get excited when I get a review or when I get a new client or when someone recognized the bus; any of those are Rad, and yes, I still say Rad!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love San Diego. I am in San Clemente, which I believe is the last city on the OC and SD border. We are a pretty dog-friendly community but San Diego is SUPER dog friendly. I love going to SD for my patients there. Pete and I learned to SUP PUP there with Sam from Sup pups and it started our love and we haven’t looked back. I love all the outdoor activities someone can do with their pup in SD.
Contact Info:
- Email: Muttsandmuscles@outlook.com
- Website: https://www.muttsandmusclesmassage.com/
- Instagram: @mutts_n_muscles_massage
- Facebook: @MuttsandMusclesMassage
