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Loving Pawse - Animal Bodywork
Loving Pawse - Animal Bodywork
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakend"
- Anatole France
A Lifelong Journey of Compassion and Connection
A Lifelong Journey of Compassion and Connection
Lavanya Murugesan’s path to canine wellness blends science, mindfulness, art, and heart. Born in Chennai, India, she moved to Anchorage, Alaska, as a teenager — trading tropical heat for snow-covered peaks and discovering a love for quiet presence and nature. With a master’s degree in electrical engineering in hand, Lavanya built a career rooted in precision and analysis but always felt drawn toward deeper connection and service.
Lavanya Murugesan’s path to canine wellness blends science, mindfulness, art, and heart. Born in Chennai, India, she moved to Anchorage, Alaska, as a teenager — trading tropical heat for snow-covered peaks and discovering a love for quiet presence and nature. With a master’s degree in electrical engineering in hand, Lavanya built a career rooted in precision and analysis but always felt drawn toward deeper connection and service.
Along the way, she became a certified yoga instructor (200+ hours of training), explored the tactile world of pottery (as documented by Rain City Clay) and ultimately found her calling in animal bodywork. She is now a board-certified canine massage and acupressure practitioner, trained at the Northwest School of Animal Massage (NWSAM), offering in-home therapeutic sessions throughout the greater Seattle and Kent area.
Along the way, she became a certified yoga instructor (200+ hours of training), explored the tactile world of pottery (as documented by Rain City Clay) and ultimately found her calling in animal bodywork. She is now a board-certified canine massage and acupressure practitioner, trained at the Northwest School of Animal Massage (NWSAM), offering in-home therapeutic sessions throughout the greater Seattle and Kent area.
Service Rooted in Volunteering
Service Rooted in Volunteering
Lavanya's volunteering experience first started with Big Brothers Big Sister organization where she helped mentor and foster a relationship with a little sister. Decades later, the little sister, all grown up, continues to be a lifelong family and friend.
Lavanya's volunteering experience first started with Big Brothers Big Sister organization where she helped mentor and foster a relationship with a little sister. Decades later, the little sister, all grown up, continues to be a lifelong family and friend.
Lavanya’s commitment to animals began at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), where she has been volunteering since 2018. Lavanya quickly advanced from a “blue” dog walker to “red” mentor in just two months — and was promoted to one of the first Dog Walker Skills Assessors, recognized in RASKC’s bulletin as an “outstanding new volunteer.” Her conscientious mentorship and detailed feedback have helped train dozens of new volunteers. She continues to volunteer as a regular dog walker/assessor and provide pro bono massage services once a month at RASKC.
Lavanya’s commitment to animals began at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), where she has been volunteering since 2018. Lavanya quickly advanced from a “blue” dog walker to “red” mentor in just two months — and was promoted to one of the first Dog Walker Skills Assessors, recognized in RASKC’s bulletin as an “outstanding new volunteer.” Her conscientious mentorship and detailed feedback have helped train dozens of new volunteers. She continues to volunteer as a regular dog walker/assessor and provide pro bono massage services once a month at RASKC.
“I’m surrounded by an incredible team — compassionate, kind, and always ready to help. And the dogs — they’re incredible creatures with unique personalities who give me lots of joy just to be around them.”
“I’m surrounded by an incredible team — compassionate, kind, and always ready to help. And the dogs — they’re incredible creatures with unique personalities who give me lots of joy just to be around them.”
— Source: RASKC Sept 2019.
— Source: RASKC Sept 2019.
Lavanya briefly volunteered in 2020 at Serenity Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation where she helped clean the paddocks and with chores in and around the farm. She is grateful for the experience as her appreciation and sensitivity to being around horses really strengthened her intuition.
Lavanya briefly volunteered in 2020 at Serenity Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation where she helped clean the paddocks and with chores in and around the farm. She is grateful for the experience as her appreciation and sensitivity to being around horses really strengthened her intuition.
Lavanya’s love of animals became personal when she adopted a one-year-old Boxer/Lab pup, Boomer, from RASKC, her faithful companion and “co-pilot for life.” Her experience as adopter, student, volunteer, and practitioner gives her deep insight into the human-dog bond. Boomer, a confident and leash reactive boy challenged Lavanya in the beginning. In addition to exploring a variety of dog training methods, Lavanya reached into the dog sport world of Barn Hunting as an avenue to help with his reactivity. Through loving, consistent, continued, and committed effort, Boomer learned to moderate this impulse control and ultimately earned his RAT championship (RATCH title). It is her deep desire to support him as he moves into his golden years, and this was the strong force behind choosing the path of animal care by going back to school to earn her credentials as a canine massage therapist. Her specialty includes rehabilitation massage therapy and Acupressure. Boomer continues to be her greatest teacher and is a happy and willing participant of Lavanya's massages.
Lavanya’s love of animals became personal when she adopted a one-year-old Boxer/Lab pup, Boomer, from RASKC, her faithful companion and “co-pilot for life.” Her experience as adopter, student, volunteer, and practitioner gives her deep insight into the human-dog bond. Boomer, a confident and leash reactive boy challenged Lavanya in the beginning. In addition to exploring a variety of dog training methods, Lavanya reached into the dog sport world of Barn Hunting as an avenue to help with his reactivity. Through loving, consistent, continued, and committed effort, Boomer learned to moderate this impulse control and ultimately earned his RAT championship (RATCH title). It is her deep desire to support him as he moves into his golden years, and this was the strong force behind choosing the path of animal care by going back to school to earn her credentials as a canine massage therapist. Her specialty includes rehabilitation massage therapy and Acupressure. Boomer continues to be her greatest teacher and is a happy and willing participant of Lavanya's massages.
A Philosophy of Mindful Care
A Philosophy of Mindful Care
Describing herself as “an ordinary gal trying to live a mindful life and appreciate all that life has to offer,” Lavanya enjoys hiking the Pacific Northwest trails along with Boomer, baking sourdough breads, writing handwritten letters to pen pals, yoga, and exploring new skills in pottery. Through Loving Pawse, she brings all these values into every session — helping dogs rediscover calm, balance, and comfort.
Describing herself as “an ordinary gal trying to live a mindful life and appreciate all that life has to offer,” Lavanya enjoys hiking the Pacific Northwest trails along with Boomer, baking sourdough breads, writing handwritten letters to pen pals, yoga, and exploring new skills in pottery. Through Loving Pawse, she brings all these values into every session — helping dogs rediscover calm, balance, and comfort.
Lavanya believes healing begins with connection, not control — one heartbeat, one paw at a time.
Lavanya believes healing begins with connection, not control — one heartbeat, one paw at a time.
"Perhaps the greatest gift an animal has to offer, is a permantent reminder of who we really are."
- Nick Trout
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