ABOUT ASH & OAK THERAPY
Providing in-home canine massage and fitness/conditioning to the Greater St. Louis area and at Back On Track Veterinary Hospital in O'Fallon, MO.
OUR MISSION
"Helping animals thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally, and educating pet owners in supporting their beloved pet’s wellbeing."
MEET ALYSON
Dedicated to Your Dog’s Well-Being
After more than 20 years as an Art Director in advertising, Alyson Snelling made the leap into a field that felt more rewarding. She earned her Canine Massage Therapy certification through Canis Bodyworks in 2015, followed by her national certification through NBCAAM.
From there, Alyson launched Ash & Oak Canine Massage, offering massage both in-home and working out of Back On Track Veterinary Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. In 2018, she partnered with Canis Bodyworks as their Director of Marketing & Design and Lead Instructor, playing a key role in bringing canine massage and bodywork education to the St. Louis area.
During her massage training, Alyson discovered canine rehabilitation and fitness, and was instantly hooked. That interest led her to earn her CCFT from the University of Tennessee in 2020, as well as a secondary CPCFT certification through Debbie Torraca and Tara Monahan’s program in 2024. Alyson recently joined the CPCFT instructors and evaluators team to assist in educating and preparing students to enter the field of canine fitness and canine conditioning professionally.
Alyson’s certifications include Fear Free™ handling, Pet CPR and First Aid, and Animal and Human Reiki attunement. These additional tools support her gentle, compassionate approach to every animal in her care.
Alyson is always looking for ways to build on her existing knowledge and skill set, whether that means diving into the latest research, refining her techniques, or learning from other practitioners. What she loves most is bridging the gap between massage and conditioning by helping pet owners understand how to actively support their dog’s wellbeing, and guiding her clients toward sustainable, healthy lifestyles.
Training & Credentials
Nationally certified and continually educated, so every session is grounded in both compassion and expertise.
Certified Canine Massage Therapist
Certified through Canis Bodyworks, 2015
Nationally Certified Canine Massage Therapist
Nationally certified through the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM), 2016
Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer
CCFT, 2020 · CPCFT, 2024
Fear Free™ Certified Professional
Trained in low-stress handling to keep anxious or sensitive dogs calm and comfortable.
Pet CPR & First Aid Certified
Prepared to respond quickly and safely, whenever it's needed.
A Look Inside Our Sessions
ASH & OAK
Behind the Name
In 2013, I lost my dogs Astrid and Marco unexpectedly to cancer. I’m certain they were responsible for leading me on my path to canine massage therapy, so I wanted to create something in their honor when developing my brand.
While researching name ideas, I came across a pronunciation key using “oak” for the sound of the second syllable in Marco. Oak led me to Ash, which reminded me of a group of kids that lived up the street from us a few years back who mistakenly thought Astrid’s name was Ashtray (we lovingly called her Ashtray from then on).
Ash trees symbolize healing, while Oaks stand for strength and stability. Such a perfect representation of the qualities I strive to provide in this work: a healing touch to assist in building strength and stability to my canine clients.
I’m continually grateful to Astrid (Ash) and Marco (Oak) for lighting my way on this journey, and to all of you for being a part of it.
