Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Pope.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up surrounded by animals — horses, dogs, cats, and everything in between. I competed in Western Pleasure, barrel racing, pole bending, and trail competitions growing up, so horses have always been the foundation of who I am. I went on to earn a B.S. in Animal Science with an Equine Specialization from the University of Florida, which deepened my understanding of animal health and wellness from a scientific perspective.
My journey into holistic animal care began when I discovered acupressure and saw firsthand how profoundly it could support an animal’s physical and emotional wellbeing. I pursued certification through the National Board Certified in Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) and became one of only two people in the entire Southeast — and the only one in North Carolina — to hold dual certification in both Equine and Small Animal Acupressure. I am also Fear Free certified, which means I am specifically trained in reducing fear, anxiety and stress in animals during handling and care.
From there Poll to Pastern Holistics grew into a mobile holistic animal wellness practice serving the greater Charlotte area, offering acupressure, red light therapy, and kinesiology taping for horses, dogs and cats. Over time I expanded beyond hands-on sessions to develop a full online acupressure certification program with courses in canine, feline and equine acupressure, as well as Five Element Theory and a Level III case study program — all approved for NBCAAM continuing education credits.
More recently I have been working toward creating a pathway for my students to sit for the NBCAAM board exam by partnering with established hands-on training schools, which has been an incredibly exciting development. I am also currently enrolled in a Veterinary Technology program, continuing to deepen my knowledge so I can better serve the animals and people I work with.
What drives me every single day is the same thing that started this journey — a deep love for animals and a genuine belief that holistic care can transform their quality of life in ways that complement and support traditional veterinary medicine.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, it has been anything but smooth — and I think that is what makes the journey meaningful!
Building a niche holistic animal wellness business comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been education — not my own, but helping potential clients understand what acupressure actually is, how it works, and why it is a legitimate and valuable complement to veterinary care. In a world where people are still getting familiar with holistic wellness for themselves, convincing them to explore it for their animals requires patience, consistency, and a lot of trust building.
Operating as a solo mobile practitioner also means wearing every hat — I am the practitioner, the marketer, the course developer, the customer service team, and the shipping department all at once. There is no off switch when you run your own business, and balancing all of those roles while continuing to grow has been one of my greatest ongoing challenges.
One of the most ambitious things I have taken on was designing and bringing my own product to market — the EquineGlow Poll Cap. Taking a product from concept to manufacturing, working with overseas suppliers, managing quality control, branding, and logistics as a solo business owner was a significant undertaking that tested every skill I had. There were plenty of moments of uncertainty along the way but seeing the finished product and knowing horses are benefiting from it makes every challenge worth it.
Building the online course program was another significant undertaking. Developing comprehensive certification curricula covering canine, feline and equine acupressure from the ground up — while making sure everything met NBCAAM educational standards — was an enormous amount of work that happened largely behind the scenes.
I also navigated a period where I intentionally scaled back my schedule to be present for my senior cat. Kitty, in his final months. Choosing my personal life over business growth was the right decision but it meant rebuilding momentum afterward.
Through all of it I have learned that resilience, adaptability and genuine passion for what you do are the most important tools in any entrepreneur’s toolkit.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Poll to Pastern?
Poll to Pastern Holistics is a mobile holistic animal wellness practice based in Charlotte, North Carolina area, specializing in animal acupressure, red light therapy, and kinesiology taping for horses, dogs and cats. I provide in-home and on-site sessions throughout the greater Charlotte area, bringing certified holistic care directly to the animals in their own environment where they are most comfortable.
What sets Poll to Pastern apart is the level of certification and specialization behind every session. I am one of only two National Board Certified Animal Acupressure Practitioners in the entire Southeast and the only one in North Carolina holding dual certification in both equine and small animal acupressure through the NBCAAM. Combined with my Fear Free certification and current Veterinary Technology studies, every session is grounded in both ancient wisdom and modern animal science.
Beyond hands-on sessions I offer a full online acupressure certification program for both pet owners and aspiring professionals. Courses include Canine Acupressure Level I, Feline Acupressure Level I, Equine Acupressure Level I, Five Element Theory Level II, and a Level III Case Study certification program — all approved for NBCAAM continuing education credits. Students across the United States and internationally have enrolled, and I am currently developing a partnership with an established hands-on training school to create a complete pathway for students to sit for the NBCAAM board exam.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is designing my own product line. The EquineGlow Poll Cap is a professional grade equine red light therapy device that I personally conceptualized and brought to market. Featuring 654 LEDs and six customizable settings it is one of the most powerful and targeted poll therapy devices available, designed specifically to support horses dealing with poll tension, TMJ issues, headshaking, bit resistance, and overall topline health. Designing a product from concept to manufacturing is not something most holistic practitioners venture into and I am incredibly proud of what the EquineGlow Poll Cap has become. I also carry the AcuGlow Torch — a handheld red light therapy device offering targeted red and near infrared light therapy for horses, dogs and cats — and will soon be launching an upgraded five wavelength torch adding blue light therapy to the lineup.
What I am most proud of is that Poll to Pastern exists at the intersection of education, innovation and care. Whether someone is booking a session for their horse, enrolling in a certification course from Australia, purchasing the EquineGlow Poll Cap for their performance horse, or buying a handheld therapy device for their senior dog — every offering is rooted in the same mission: empowering people with the knowledge and tools to support their animals naturally, holistically and with confidence.
Poll to Pastern Holistics serves the Charlotte NC, Waxhaw NC, Monroe NC, Ballantyne NC, Pineville NC, Fort Mill SC and surrounding areas for mobile sessions, and offers online courses and products nationwide and internationally.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Honestly I think it comes down to a combination of genuine passion and relentless education.
The holistic animal wellness space requires a level of dedication that goes beyond just learning a skill — it requires truly believing in what you do and being able to communicate that belief to skeptical clients, veterinarians, and communities who may not yet understand the value of complementary care. That passion is what keeps me going on the hard days and what comes through in every session, every course, and every conversation.
But passion alone is not enough. I have always believed that credibility is earned through education and certification — not just once but continuously. Pursuing dual NBCAAM board certification, becoming Fear Free certified, enrolling in a Veterinary Technology program, developing NBCAAM approved curricula — none of that was required of me. I pursued it because I genuinely want to be the best practitioner and educator I can be for the animals and people who trust me.
I think clients and students can feel the difference between someone who is technically trained and someone who is both trained AND deeply committed to their craft. That combination of heart and credentials is what I believe has allowed Poll to Pastern Holistics to grow from a mobile session business into a nationally recognized certification program with students around the world.
At the end of the day the animals are the best judges of authenticity and they respond to genuine healing intent every single time.
Pricing:
- Canine, Feline, Equine Level I Courses are $599
- Five Element Theory Course is $399
- Canine/Feline RLT Sessions are $75
- Equine Red Light Therapy Sessions $100
- EquineGlow Poll cap is $649
Contact Info:
- Website: https://polltopastern.com
- Instagram: @poll2pastern
- Facebook: @polltopastern
