Photo: Celestial Pathways Animal Healing Center Facebook

By Brittany North - Boreal Community Media - June 12, 2025

A peaceful new space dedicated to holistic animal wellness is now open in Grand Marais. Celestial Pathways Animal Healing Center is a collaboration between three experienced and passionate practitioners offering gentle, complementary therapies to support the physical, emotional, and energetic needs of animals—and their humans.

Celestial Pathways grew out of friendship, mutual support, and a shared passion for animal well-being. Practitioners Mindy Bichel, Mari LaMoore, and Karina Roth had each been dreaming of a more collaborative way to serve animals when their paths began to align. After connecting through their community and shared professional interests, the three friends realized they wanted to build something together—a peaceful space focused on healing. “We didn’t know exactly how it would all come together,” Mindy told Boreal Community Media. “But we believed in it. We created the energetic space first, and the rest followed.”

Dr. Mari LaMoore, a veterinarian with eight years of experience in general practice, is certified in animal chiropractic through the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association and has studied Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at Chi University. She now focuses on veterinary acupuncture. “I want people to feel like they have our full attention,” she said. “That this is a quiet, peaceful place where healing is possible. This isn’t about replacing conventional veterinary care—it’s about complementing it.” Mari has been working with a senior German Shepherd who travels from Thunder Bay for treatment. The dog had been experiencing stiffness and limited mobility, but after receiving acupuncture, showed noticeable improvements in range of motion and ease of movement. The dog’s owner shared that they’ve been able to enjoy longer walks again and expressed gratitude for the care, saying the sessions have given her dog more comfort and longevity in his senior years.

Karina Roth, certified in Healing Touch for Animals, offers energy-based therapies, animal communication, and guidance in integrative manual therapy and food therapy, including consultations for homemade diets. “Healing touch is like talk therapy for animals,” she explained. “It’s about holding space, helping them relax, and understanding what they’re feeling. Emotional healing often leads to physical healing.”

Each practitioner brings something unique to the table:

• Mindy Bichel, DC, CVSMT - offers expert animal chiropractic care grounded in years of experience.
  
  

• Karina Roth - provides energy therapies including Healing Touch for Animals, animal communication, and is continuing her studies in Integrative Manual Therapy and Resonant Attention.
  
  

• Mari LaMoore, DVM - offers acupuncture and brings deep knowledge in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
  
  

A typical session at Celestial Pathways begins with a phone consultation to understand the animal’s emotional and physical concerns. From there, sessions are customized to the patient. The practitioners often collaborate, referring animals to one another as needed. “No single modality can do it all,” Karina said. “But together, we can offer more.”

I recently brought my own dog, Apache, a geriatric Alaskan Malamute, to see Dr. Mindy for a chiropractic adjustment. Apache has benefited from chiropractic care for years, but now, in his older years, it’s become even more essential to his mobility and comfort. The moment we entered the Celestial Pathways space, I noticed how calm and quiet it felt. Apache did too. He immediately walked over to Dr. Mindy, greeted her, and laid down as if he was telling her, “I’m ready for my adjustment.” Since his visit, he's been moving more strongly and steadily. It’s clear the care he received made a real difference. Apache is now scheduled to see Dr. Mindy on a regular basis.

 North's dog, Apache, is a geriatric Alaskan Malamute. 

Their philosophy is simple yet powerful: healing doesn’t have to be one path. By combining traditional veterinary experience with holistic therapies, Celestial Pathways offers a broader spectrum of care for the animals of Cook County, and by extension, their people. “When the animals are well,” Mindy said, “their people are better too. And that ripples out into the whole community.”

Celestial Pathways is now welcoming clients and will host an Open House this Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Birch Alley in Grand Marais. Visitors can meet the practitioners, enjoy treats for both people and pups, and enter a raffle to win a free session from each of the three practitioners. Dogs are encouraged to come along and experience the peaceful energy of the space and receive a treat or two.

For more information, visit www.celestialpathwaysahc.com.