About Shari
Early Roots & Natural Connection
Shari’s family is from Newfoundland, Canada. She was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario—where her lifelong love for animals began. Dogs had always been a part of her family, but she had a deep love for horses and cats as well.
From early childhood, she showed a rare sensitivity to animals’ emotions and needs, often sensing when something was wrong before others noticed. Neighbourhood children regularly brought injured wildlife to her, trusting her calm presence and natural empathy.
Artistic Beginnings
Along with her deep connection with animals, Shari developed a passion for art. She asked her Dad to draw pictures of animals for her when she was five years old, so she could watch how he worked. Although he wasn’t an artist, her Dad gave her the insight she needed to see how to use a pencil and create on paper. She won her first award when she was seven years old.
At just eight years old, she began painting animals, starting with an oil paint-by-number kit of a horse. Shortly after that experience she began her own free-hand paintings which sparked a lifelong devotion to capturing animal spirit through art.
Life with Horses, Dogs & Cats
Shari began riding horses at age seven and formed profound bonds with several horses throughout her life. Her first horse was a young, unbroke mare named Peggy that she trained with her Dad when she was 16. It was through that process that she understood the importance of forming a bond with a horse that includes patience, respect and teamwork.
Over the years, Shari has worked and competed across multiple equestrian disciplines and developed deep respect for horse behavior, communication, what their needs are and understanding what makes them happy.
Over three decades, Shari has shared her life with six dogs and many cats.
She loves to be with them and often incorporates them into her work as part of her team when teaching, in videos, as models in her books and for demonstrations at events.
Though out Shari’s adult life, she’s had Australian Shepherd dogs. This breed of dog is very energetic and intelligent. They need jobs, and as a result, Shari does many different things with them including obedience, scent work, herding, agility, brain games, core strength training and swimming to engage their body and mind.
The relationships she had with all of her animals taught her that every animal is an individual with unique needs, personalities, and ways of being who very often mirror what we are feeling.
A Turning Point in Animal Care
At 17, while working at a busy veterinary hospital in Ottawa, Shari experienced a defining moment that shifted her life’s direction. Witnessing a young dog being discharged after surgery without rehabilitation support sparked her desire to explore holistic, supportive care for animals recovering from injury, surgery, and aging.
Education & Holistic Path
Although accepted into veterinary sciences at the University of Guelph in 1978, Shari chose a path that allowed her to specialize in companion animal care. She trained and pursued a career in human healthcare as a Laboratory Technologist while independently studying Companion Animal care, handling, anatomy, physiology, myology, behavior, training, massage, trigger/stress point and myofascial release, Reiki, holistic practices, magnetics, several therapeutic modalities, and canine hydrotherapy.
Pioneering Animal Bodywork
In 1994, while Shari was on her quest to learn how to help animals in a holistic way, she met and partnered with massage therapist Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt. Through their partnership, Shari was happy to illustrate and edit Equine Massage: A Practical Guide, create educational programs, illustrate and co-author Canine Massage: A Practical Guide, which became an internationally respected reference.
In subsequent years spanning several decades, Shari continued to pursue her studies, hone her crafts, help many animals and has become recognized as a pioneer in alternative and complementary companion animal care
Animal Wellness Facilities
Since 2006, Shari has built, overseen, and worked in four animal wellness facilities in Ontario Canada featuring hydrotherapy pools, and areas for land-based modalities such as massage, chiropractic, laser, core strength training to name a few … for dogs and cats.
Through thousands of sessions, she and her team have supported animals in regaining mobility, comfort, strength, overall wellness, confidence and happiness.
Giving Back
Shari donates her time and expertise in helping animals to those in rescues and shelters. She’s fostered, assisted in matching animals to loving homes, helped injured animals and taught shelter staff how to help animals with special needs. Shari’s also volunteered on the board of directors as vice chair, chair and as an active director for several animal shelters.
Shari’s Quest Today
With over 40 years of experience and thousands of animals helped, Shari now focuses on sharing her knowledge through consultations, insights to her “Think Outside The Box” Members through podcasts, articles, ebooks, and videos, speaking to groups and providing mentorship to other practitioners.
She continues to support horses, dogs, and cats—through one-on-one time, helping them live healthier, happier lives while empowering their humans to do the same.
Through collaboration with Kim Malonie, she adds a different and larger dimension to the care of animals. Together they help target and clarify specific issues animals are having while offering suggestions that will help people in their quest to know how best to help their animal live a better quality of life.
As for her artwork….Shari continues to create beautiful commissioned portraits of animals people love.
Shari L. Seymour
(CMT, EMT, FMT, CCC, CHT)
Shari is an animal portrait artist, holisitc animal life coach, animal bodyworker, author and educator dedicated to honoring companion animals through art, care and connection. Shari’s Quest is her lifelong journey of creativity, healing, and educating animal lovers in ways to help animals who share their lives.
CONTACT SHARI
Phone Number
(905) 373-5800
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