Meet Erin, Founder of Soul Paws
Multi-Certified Small-Animal Bodywork Practitioner & Canine Movement Coach
Soul Paws is a mobile Vancouver practice founded by Erin, a multi-certified small-animal bodywork practitioner and canine movement coach.
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Erin primarily supports pre-senior and senior dogs, dogs experiencing mobility changes, and dogs recovering from veterinarian-diagnosed injuries. She also works with young and active adult dogs to develop strength, balance, proprioception and confident movement.
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Her sessions combine careful observation with individualized care. Depending on each dog’s needs, goals and capacity that day, support may include massage and multimodal bodywork, guided strengthening and mobility work, or a thoughtful combination of hands-on and movement-based care.
Bodywork and Movement, Adapted to the Dog
Individualized, Whole-Dog Care
Erin’s work is informed by functional anatomy, biomechanics, fascia, circulation and nervous-system regulation. Posture, gait, weight distribution, transitions, tissue quality, comfort and response help guide each session.
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Depending on the dog, care may incorporate Swedish and rehabilitation-focused massage, myofascial techniques, acupressure, craniosacral work, manual lymphatic support, near-infrared light, mobility work and carefully selected strengthening exercises. Techniques are chosen for a reason—not simply because they appear on a modality list.
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Guardians as Partners
Guardians know their dogs better than anyone. Their observations about behaviour, movement, daily routines and recent changes provide valuable context. Erin combines that knowledge with what she observes and feels during the session to create practical, individualized support.
How Soul Paws Can Help
Soul Paws offers four primary ways to support canine comfort, movement and physical confidence. The most appropriate starting point depends on whether your dog needs hands-on care, combined movement and bodywork, or more focused exercise instruction.
Strength + Stability
Strength + Stability sessions involve working directly with your dog through carefully and appropriately selected proprioception, stability, and strengthening exercises. Additional agility and skill building exercises may also be taught to help improve your dog's confidence and overall mobility.
A Foundation in Education and Leadership
Before founding Soul Paws, Erin built an extensive career in international education as an instructor, academic director and school director. She led large teaching and operational teams and oversaw the education, accommodation, safety, activities and excursions of more than 500 international students.
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That experience continues to shape her work today. Erin is skilled at translating complex information into clear, practical guidance, developing progressive learning plans and adapting instruction to the individual.
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This is especially valuable when helping guardians understand changes in their dog’s movement, learn exercises safely and build new skills without becoming overwhelmed. Her goal is not to make guardians feel tested—it is to help them feel informed, capable and supported.
Small-Animal Massage + Rehabilitation-Focused Bodywork
Training includes:
• Northwest School of Animal Massage
• Maintenance and prevention-focused small-animal massage
• Rehabilitation-focused small-animal bodywork
• Swedish and circulatory massage
• Myofascial and other soft-tissue techniques
• Acupressure (TCM)
•Craniosacral therapy
• Manual lymphatic and fluid-support techniques
• Near-infrared light as a complementary modality
Movement, Biomechanics + Skill Development
Training and applied study include:
• Functional canine anatomy and biomechanics
• Posture, gait and movement observation
• Strength, balance and proprioception
• Mobility and stretching exercises
• Progressive exercise selection and modification
• Dog training and guardian instruction
• Personal study and practice in canine agility, wellness-focused skill development and injury-conscious movement
Continuing and Complementary Studies
Additional education includes:
• Power of Touch for Animals coursework, including nerve mobilization
• Ongoing advanced study in small-animal bodywork and movement
• Aromatherapy Specialist certification for humans—in progress
• Additional study in canine botanicals and responsible essential-oil use
Erin also brings post-secondary education and extensive professional experience in teaching, leadership, program development and safety-focused operations.
