About Us

Debbie La Monica Sieverson LMP, SAMP
Owner, Lead Therapist

Debbie has a background in human medicine. Her interest in holistic health led her to a career in massage. She is an honors graduate of Ashmead College, as well as Northwest School of Animal Massage.

Debbie has been enamored with all animals, but especially dogs and has been fascinated by the human/canine connection for her entire lifetime. Her belief in the benefits of canine massage and warm water therapy is a very heartfelt and personal one. She saw the effectiveness of these modalities when one of her beloved canine companions needed therapy. Within a year, Debbie witnessed a complete rehabilitation of her beloved Whippet, Karma, who returned to full function from a very serious injury.

Debbie has a special interest in canine performance, conditioning, and rehabilitation, as well as conditioning and massage throughout pregnancy. Witnessing the bond between dogs and their humans as they walk through hospice type situations and geriatrics is a privilege and an honor that she treasures.. She and her husband Doug (who is new to the world of dogs) are active participants and/or spectators in obedience, conformation events, and athletic endeavors such as lure coursing and racing with their Whippets Karma, Karma's sister Winnie, Karma's daughter Julia, and Julia's daughter Rumba.

Leigh Anne Hardy LMP, SAMP, LAMP
Owner, Therapist

The benefits of an holistic, active and healthy lifestyle have always been an important to Leigh Anne. She has spent her life devoted to the care, health and well-being of animals. After years in banking, software and marketing she decided to leave the corporate world behind and fulfill her dreams of working with animals in a way that benefits them mentally, emotionally and physically. She witnessed firsthand how massage helped her horse and dogs feel better and knew she wanted to add it to her holistic lifestyle.

Leigh Anne spends much of her time with her horse and dogs while helping others with their animals. She is also an artist who gets much of her inspiration from our wildlife, her own animals and from the animals she meets. Leigh Anne Hardy graduated with honors from Ashmead College in Everett, WA. She continued her education at Northwest School of Animal Massage in Redmond, WA to receive certification in large and small animal massage.

JLinn Henline, LMP, SAMP, Reiki Master Teacher
Therapist

J Linn has been practicing Reiki since 1999, massage since 2002 and began working professionally with animals in 2003. Prior to finding her healing ability she enjoyed a career in photography and music.

While volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the late 90's she had an epiphany. She realized she could no longer volunteer periodically to work with animals, but had to do more for the individual animals well-being (and she couldn't adopt them ALL!)

That set her on the search for a healing path. The path led her to Reiki training, completing Reiki I, II and Master-Teacher training. Also adding massage therapy training and certification as well as small animal massage training and certification. J became a canine warm water therapist and began working at SplashDog in 2005.

J Linn honors the bond she feels with each animal she works with and appreciates the trust placed in her as part of each animals healing team.

Kim Loutsis
Assisted Swim Specialist
Marketing Director

Kim has been a lifelong resident of the Seattle area. Her household consists of Kim, her husband Tony, A son (Nikos), a daughter (Tova), 2 cats,
one cockatiel, and their two wonderful dogs, a Dogue de Bordeaux, and a Pug (she likes wrinkly faces). She has had a passion for dogs her whole life, stemming from her Nana who raised everything from a Saluki to mixed breeds of all shapes and sizes. She is currently getting her feet wet in the conformation show ring with Toula, her Dogue De Bordeaux. She is involved in breed ring handling classes as well as the Reading With Rover program.

I have a passion for people and love meeting new folks, along with their canine families. When not at SplashDog she loves to travel and is involved
in Church activities.

Kim does Assisted Swims at SplashDog.

Melissa Barran (right)
Beloved Founder of SplashDog
JoAnn Hartline (left)
Melissa's Partner and Former SplashDog Bean Counter
Scout the Golden Retriever, and Tory the Springer, the inspiration for it all

Ever since I can remember, my best friend has been our family dog. My earliest memories are romping and wrestling with the long line of German Shepherds my parents welcomed into our home over the years. Growing up, there was never a time we didn’t have a faithful companion as part of our family. Because German Shepherds, like many other breeds, are susceptible to hip dysplasia, I was aware, even as a child, of the effects of this debilitating disease.

In those days the medical options for dealing with hip dysplasia were limited. It was very sad to see our dogs suffer and, in the end, have to be put down because they could no longer walk and were in so much pain.

The good news is today that has changed. With improved breeding guidelines, better nutrition, plus excellent medical care and alternative therapy, our companions now have a much better chance of living longer.

Here’s an example and the answer to “why SplashDog.” About a year ago we noticed that Tory, our 10-year-old Springer Spaniel, was favoring her back left leg. After a few months it became more and more noticeable that she wasn’t putting as much weight on the leg, and the muscle was starting to atrophy. After a series of X-rays and two opinions from orthopedic surgeons it was determined that Tory too was suffering from hip dysplasia. In order to avoid surgery, we started a regimen of conservative treatment (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to see if we could improve the hip.

Although that approach can help many dogs, in Tory’s case it was not effective. That meant our only other option was surgery. About a year after the first signs of the dysplasia appeared, Tory had a femoral head osteotomy (also known as a floating hip operation). In short, the surgeon removes the ball joint at the head of the femur. Over time, a false joint is created by scar tissue that forms over the end of the femur where the ball had been. It is recommended that dogs that undergo this procedure start using the leg as soon as possible. This aids in the successful formation of the new floating joint.

Tory was doing well with her recovery, but my veterinarian suggested that we also try swimming therapy to help build the muscle she had lost. She suggested La Paw Spa. I was very impressed with the results we were getting from the swimming therapy. The only challenge: I had to drive over an hour away from my home in Edmonds for the treatment. I starting thinking it over, and it was soon apparent there was a need for a warm water therapy spa in the greater Edmonds area. After a satisfying 26-year career in public affairs and media relations, the timing was right for me to apply my business skills to another purpose. Surrounding myself with talented professionals who share my love and passion for our canine friends – what could be better?

Update - Dec. 16, 2006. Our beloved Tory passed on this day due to stomach cancer. We will miss her dearly. She will continue to be the inspiration behind the work we do at SplashDog.

-Melissa Barran

As of January 1 2008. Melissa has taken the journey into retirement! We wish Melissa and JoAnn a wonderful life as we forge forward onto this path that they cleared for us a few years ago. It is our mission to live up to the legacy of love and hope that Melissa created.

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Massage/Bodywork/Swimming at SplashDog is not considered a medical procedure or a substitute for proper veterinary care. It is highly suggested that you visit or speak with your veterinarian for a complete diagnosis of your dog’s condition and to discuss warm water therapy options before starting warm water therapy.