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Tara Richardson

Langston Moore

by Langston Moore
February 10, 2010

It may seem unlikely to see smiles on the faces of patients when walking into a doctor's, dentist's or therapist's exam room. But become a fly on the wall at Balance Studio of Massage and Skin Therapy with canine massage therapist Tara Richardson, 32, and that's exactly what  you will witness.

During a recent massage session, Peaches, Richardson's 15-year-old Chihuahua, had a blissful look of relaxation.

"Massage therapy on canines has the same benefits as with humans," Richardson says. Those benefits include relieving aches and pains from arthritis, giving a boost to the immune system and assisting with maintaining bone density.

"I have a medical mind and a creative mind and wanted to mix the two. Massage therapy was the perfect blend for me," Richardson says.

Richardson is the owner of Balance Studio, in the Orleans East Building in Flowood, and is certified in both human and canine-massage therapy. Although she holds a canine massage certification—the only one in the State of Mississippi on record, she says—she has had to suspend operations of this part of her business, known as Canine Comforts. She is currently working with the State Board of Massage Therapy to bring this part of her practice in line with state law, which requires that a veterinarian be on the premises when Richardson works on a canine patient.

She considers her clients, human and canine, as part of her family, and says that she "goes on a search-and-destroy mission when serving each client to make them as comfortable as they can be."

You will find no white walls in her office, instead orange and aqua blue which Richardson believes makes for a relaxing atmosphere. Her philosophy of comfort helped Richardson to be voted one of the city's best massage therapists in the Jackson Free Press' Best of Jackson awards this year. And she would love to move to Jackson one day. Her love for the arts makes her yearn for a place in Fondren, not only to work, but to live as well. She has many friends in Fondren and would love to be closer to them and take advantage of all the area offers within walking distance.

In addition to having two massage certifications, Richardson enjoys being in the kitchen and cooking by not following recipes. Because her boyfriend, Fernando, is of Puerto Rican descent, she recently learned to salsa dance for his sister's wedding. She refers to skydiving as her relaxation activity. Before a shoulder injury, she jumped with the Gold Coast Skydiving Team twice a month and is anxious to jump again soon.

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 02/10/10 at 09:41 AM. [printer version] Share |

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Feb 08, 2012 | 01:26 PM
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Brian C Johnson: The courts will not allow the state to drug test Medicaid recipients, so why waste money and effort on it? How exactly are single mothers--who make up the majority ...

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Duan C.: Since you guys have turned the thread into a discussion of politics. A while back during one of our meetings we discussed a coming up with a grading system for our elected officials ...

Feb 08, 2012 | 01:06 PM
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Ronni_Mott: Republican conservatives are truly confusing. Aren't they the ones who want less government regulation? I suppose that only counts if its regulating things on their ...

Feb 08, 2012 | 12:35 PM
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Walt: Renaldo/Blackwatch you have been simply marvelous in your insight and truth telling on this piece. So glad you're back. I thought we had lost you since I didn't see your posts for so ...

Feb 08, 2012 | 12:22 PM
[Editor's Note] Aloha, Jackson
DonnaLadd: Whoops. On second reference in the above column, I said "Air Force caption" instead of Army captain. I've corrected it above.

Feb 08, 2012 | 12:12 PM
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Feb 08, 2012 | 11:43 AM
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DonnaLadd: Of course, people learn at different speeds; I certainly didn't learn what I know now about writing and journalism craft until I was nearly 40 (of course, that had to do as much as ...

Feb 08, 2012 | 09:56 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: Kudos to you and to your Prof. Cant take anything from ya. But the "problem" with the craft around here (and a LOT of things) is that eveyone considers themselves an authority. I ...

Feb 08, 2012 | 09:19 AM
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DonnaLadd: I don't want to derail this great thread with journalism lessons, but I'll answer Brad quickly about the problems with yes-or-no questions: Sometimes you can get lucky and get a ...

Feb 08, 2012 | 05:33 AM
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Kamikaze: Well, Donna, as a "good" journalist. In my day..a DAMN good one. Ive gotten plenty of broader answers by follwing up with a "why" or "why not". and honestly the WHY of Kenny Stokes ...

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Feb 07, 2012 | 03:31 PM
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