Her business is inspired by love of animals

Equine and canine health and well-being is a serious business for Paulette Walsted Courington ’90.

She is currently celebrating her 10th anniversary as the owner of Zion’s Touch, where she offers training, massage and Reiki, a Japanese energy healing technique traditionally used on humans, to horses and dogs.

After earning her biology degree from Longwood, Courington studied forensic science for a year at VCU and worked for a time in a laboratory setting. But her lifelong love of animals, especially dogs and horses, called her to a different type of career.

She took classes in Reiki, a technique that uses energy and noninvasive touch to promote balance and relaxation, and eventually became a Reiki Master. She later earned certification in equine sports massage therapy and canine massage therapy through Equissage, an international leader in training animal massage therapists. She added two more certifications— Pet Dog Trainer and Canine Conditioning Coach—and brought them all together in Zion’s Touch, located in Henrico, Virginia.

Her massage subjects range from family pets to highly trained animals in performance sports such as agility dogs and show jumpers. As a dog trainer, she helps owners train their pet companions in basic manners, life skills and some tricks. “Sharing my gifts through my company with fellow dog and horse lovers fills my heart,” said Courington. “Seeing the results in the pets from my training, massage or Reiki is such a wonderful and indescribable feeling.”