The original house was built in 1942 and it was owned by Norman and Gladys Fletcher. It was built with the help from relatives and the community, when only 191 people lived in Airdrie.
“I saw how the power of touch was so special. It was so incredible, so healing - mentally, physically and spiritually.”
– Dawnie McElligott, Owner
About Us
relax. Refresh. Reconnect.
Every summer I would spend a couple of weeks with my oldest sister who lived up north. She is 15 years older than me and had Rheumatoid Arthritis in both hips from when she was a child. She was “that” kid that walked funny at school. I would help her around her house and help out at her businesses. The summer I was 12 years old she took me to receive my first EVER massage, my first reflexology treatment and bought me my first pair of Birkenstock sandals. She swore by her massages and how much better they made her feel.
She was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 24. Massage helped her get through her chemo and radiation treatments. She was in remission for 2 years, then came a double hip replacement only 8 days apart. Massage helped her recovery in a big way. Believe it or not then she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Many chemo treatments and operations to remove more and more lumps were to follow. Massage again helped her to feel better among all of this. She eventually lost her battle with Cancer at the age of 31, I was only 15.
I saw how the power of touch was so special. It was so incredible, so healing - mentally, physically and spiritually. Helping others came naturally to me so it seems fitting that I have built a business around that. As At Dawn Massage grew and was helping more and more to the point that I grew out of my home and needed to move into a bigger space. Hence how At Dawn Wellness came to be.
mind. body. soul.
People Behind It
RMT Dawnie McElligott
Started in 2005 in the school of NIMT (Northern Insititute of Massage Therapy) based out of Red Deer at the time. Certified in relaxation, Theraputic, Cancer, Cupping, Craniosacral 1, CS2, SER1 and Pre and Post natal.
Dawnie is married to her wonderful husband BJ and has 3 amazing children, Delia, Darien and Christian. During the winter months, you will find Dawnie in the arenas watching her kids play hockey. In the spring, summer and fall months she is trying to get to their trailer at the Shuswap.
RMT Brenda Beatty
Massage therapy has been a lifelong passion for her, 1992 was the beginning of her journey of helping clients heal and maintain their physical well being.
Other acheivements include being a proud wife and mother to 5 children, She is an LPN and, maintain a certificate to teach Childbirth Education. In her free time you can find her scouring yarn stores searching for more perfect sock projects.
RMT Alexa MacNeill
Is a Massage Therapy graduate of 2019, but has been treating clients from the public since 2016. When she was 5 years old, her grandmother used to get her to massage her shoulders for her when her arthritis would flare up, after being in the kitchen baking bread and buns all day. Alexa remembers her grandma telling her back then, that she should be a massage therapist when she grew up. That memory stayed with her as she was searching for a path to follow in the healthcare industry. This past summer she had the pleasure of treating that same grandmother for knee pain, and helping to ease her pain symptoms, once again, 20 years later.
When Alexa not investing time into massage therapy, she is hanging out with my two kids, creating art, or playing table top role playing games with friends.
Amy Shantz
Osteopathic Manual Therapist & CSEP-Certified Exercise Physiologist; BHK, dip.MT, DOMP, Proprioceptive-Deep Tendon Reflex (P-DTR) practitioner
If you are looking for someone to assist you in working towards better function and comfort, then Amy would love to partner with you in doing just that using holistic manual therapy. Amy works with your whole person to optimize your functioning and well-being. She considers all structures and connections in the body, working towards all moving in health. Her perspective includes bones and joints (including those of the skull), muscles, fascia, meninges (the tissues lining the spinal cord and cranium), organs and their attachments, nerves, blood and lymph vessels, and the inter-relationship among all these.
Amy has participated in sports since she was a kid and played 1 year of college volleyball. She’s a certified volleyball referee and coach in a few sports.
RMT Michelle Eddy
Michelle is a highly dedicated health and wellness practitioner who started her career as a Registered Massage Therapist in 2002. She continued this path as a part time educator of massage therapy while maintaining a heavy clientele in a medical clinic as well as in a spa setting.
She is a graduate from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) and shares her knowledge and expertise with her clients, increasing their awareness of the benefits that nutrition has to offer our body, mind and overall health, while boosting their immune system.
Michelle is also a certified yoga instructor and is currently studying ‘yoga therapy’ to enhance individual treatment plans based on her client’s needs.
Spending time with family and good friends and enjoying the outdoors are important components of life that she is most grateful for.
She applies her caring attitude and energy to help others develop a healthier lifestyle while increasing their confidence on the journey to well being!
RMT/CST Denise Gagne Williamson
After 30 + years as a school teacher, I chose to begin a different career path, and to follow my lifelong interest in helping people feel better physically. I became certified in Craniosacral therapy in 2018, and now, in 2020, have completed my training from Mount Royal University as a Registered Massage Therapist. I combine my experience in teaching with my training in pediatric Craniosacral therapy in working with children for learning, behavior and health issues. I also have a special interest in working with Seniors.
I have studied Lymphatic drainage both with the Vodder School and the Chikly Institute and am excited to offer treatments to anyone dealing with chronic or acute swelling; or anyone who just wants to boost their immune system. I am honoured to be a part of your healing journey!
I am very excited at being able to accompany you along your healing path. Outside of my work life, I have two adult children. My husband and I moved to Airdrie in 2017, and this is where I’m going to stay!
RMT Michelle Grasley
Michelle feels very blessed to have such a positive, rewarding career and to be part of her clients healing and long term care. Michelle can relate with great empathy and offer relief with techniques which include relaxation, deep tissue, CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, Stress relief, TMJ massage, and Hot Stone Therapy.
Michelle loves being outside and staying active. She knows that in order to keep moving and feeling at her best, a healthy balance with life and health is very important.
Michelle Speranza BSc, DC
Nucca Chiropractor
Dr. Speranza is an Upper Cervical Doctor of Chiropractic, a life-long student, and lover of nature and all things outdoors. She strives to create connection in communities through education and helping people find solutions to their health problems.
Originally from Calgary, Dr. Speranza completed her Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Saskatchewan and went on to graduate summa cum laude with her Doctorate in Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota.
Upon returning to Calgary, she developed a passion for helping people suffering from dizziness and balance problems. Her goal is to help people get to the root of the issue so that they can understand what is happening in their body, return to doing the activities they love, and ultimately take back control of their health.
When she is not in the clinic you can find her out in the backcountry, on the bike trails, or out for a nature walk with her dog.
Magdalena Schlegel PT
Physiotherapist
Magdalena Schlegel MPT BKin
Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Magdalena is a registered Physiotherapist and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. She grew up in Airdrie and moved back in 2016 after completing her Masters of Physiotherapy program at the University of Saskatchewan in 2015. Previous to completing her Master’s program she completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at the University of Calgary in 2010, and has been working in healthcare field ever since. During this time she also completed her Certified Exercise Specialist and Certified Exercise Physiologist certifications.
Since graduation from her Masters, she has gone on to pursue post graduate training in orthopaedics, manual therapy, dry needling, prevention and treatment of running injuries, and pelvic health including pregnancy-related pelvic gridle pain, and diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA).
She takes a whole-person approach to assessment and treatment, looking at all aspects of what might be contributing to a person’s symptoms or pain experience to get to the root issue, and then treating the whole-person, not just a body part. She believes that combining evidence based practice with strong clinical reasoning, and tailoring that to the person in front of you ultimately leads to the best outcomes. Her goal with every person she sees is to educate them about their bodies so that they feel empowered to take control of their health, and start moving or to get back to movements they love.
Magdalena is passionate about women’s health and getting people active especially after child birth. Whether you’re 6 weeks postpartum or 30+ years postpartum, helping people move with less pain and/or symptoms, is why she loves being a physiotherapist. Her passion for women’s health really grew after giving birth to her two daughters in 2016 and 2019. She believes all women have the right to make informed decisions about their bodies and birth experience, and to receive the care they need postpartum. She also has special interests in working with the dance and running communities.
When she’s not working, you can see her running or biking with her family around Airdrie, or at the yoga studio. She is a lover of the ballet and a previous dancer and dance teacher.
Inform. Empower. MOVE.
RMT Tamara Schendle
Tamara Jones graduated from Foothills College of Massage Therapy in 2003 with a full certification and top honors. She is a member in good standing of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada.
Tamara has a passion for her career as a Massage Therapist, making all her patients feel at ease. With knowledge in human anatomy, physiology and pathology she performs each massage in a scientific manner for therapeutic results, assuring she has an understanding of each client’s personal needs.
Tamara has now been practicing for years and loves every moment of it. She takes great pride in having a job that she can help people every day. When she is not at work she is either exploring another country or planning her next trip! She also loves being outside running or doing any activity as much as possible.
Dr. Candice Staniek ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Candice Staniek is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She offers modalities which include: nutrition, herbal medicine, spiritual counselling/coaching, physical medicine, homeopathy, dural attachment therapy, and neural therapy.
Dr. Candice has experience with various forms of psychotherapy and is currently pursuing specialized training in Family Constellation. Other modalities include breathing, meditation and visualizations. She has worked with a variety of clients in the past given her background in management and internal auditing services.
In her practice, Dr. Candice takes special care in listening to your His/Her-Story to truly understand your concerns. Her out-of-the box thinking allows for deeper, more individualized care.
Dr. Candice’s practice includes primary care in addition to emphasis on gut issues, pain management (i.e. migraines, headaches, scar injections), and psychosocial concerns.
To learn more about Dr. Candice Staniek please visit www.drcandicestaniek.com
RMT Joanne (Jo) Petley
After graduating with top honours in January 2022, Jo has a passion for helping people feel their best. Whether that is an hour relaxation massage from the daily stresses of life, to help heal an injury or just to maintain the your wellbeing.
Jo and her family emigrated here from the UK, 8 years ago and now called Airdrie our home. They have adapted to all Alberta throws at us, including the extreme weather.
She is excited to start hery journey in massage therapy at At Dawn Wellness, and hope to continue to learn and grow as a therapist.
RMT Katherine (Kat) Schneider
Katherine has been a practicing RMT since she graduated in 2017 from MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy.
With each treatment, her goal is to tailor the session to your specific needs. To achieve this, she utilizes a combination of techniques as unique as each body is. She is especially talented with hitting those tricky trigger points! To add something special to your treatment, you can also request one of the other modalities she is certified in: hot stone therapy and myofascial cupping.
During your treatment feel free to pick her brain on personal training, weight loss and some basic nutrition. She also loves hearing your knowledge on any topic as she is always looking to learn new things.
Katherine is married to her amazing husband Jon, and has 4 priceless children, Adria, Maximillian, Alexius, and Jaxson. In her spare time, she loves reading, baking, and challenging herself to learn new things.
RMT Riley Loucks
B.A.Kin, Manual Therapy(RMT)
Riley has a Bachelors of Kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge and my 2200 hr massage therapy from Alberta Institute of Massage.
After going through many injuries from his years of playing hockey and lacrosse he decided he wanted to help people of all ages not deal with daily pain. he enjoy getting to the root of the problem and helping people for the long term.
Riley specializes in therapeutic, sports, dynamic cupping and Neurofascial Reset massage modalities.
In his free time you can find him on the boat, golf course or ski hill, camping with family and still attempting to play some lacrosse and hockey.
RMT Stacey Bellefontaine
Stacey is Nova Scotia grown, grounded and kind, a nature lover and passionate about healing, in all modalities. She finds the human body, mind & spirit fascinating, believing that if given the right tools, we can heal in miraculous ways.
Stacey graduated from The Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2010, practicing alongside physio therapists, chiropractors and acupuncturists throughout her career. Taking a brief hiatus from Massage Therapy when she moved from NS to AB in 2019 and now feeling settled plus having a bit of normalcy in the world again Stacey is ready to sink her hands (and elbows) back in. She brings over 10 years experience with her. Stacey’s specialties include the Mindful Meditation Massage, full body Swedish massage, fascial release, deep tissue, TMJ release and she loves including cupping in her treatments too! Stacey also has training in Reiki and Healing Touch to add a little extra light to your treatments.
RMT Tessa Boutin
Tessa Boutin, your Registered Clinical Massage Therapist is dedicated to providing exceptional care and promoting holistic health and wellness.
She combines her expertise in therapeutic massage techniques with a deep understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection.
Tessa’s journey into the world of holistic health care began with a profound appreciation for the body’s natural ability to heal itself. She believes that by addressing not only physical discomfort but also the underlying emotional and energetic imbalances, we can achieve true well-being. She strives to create a safe and nurturing environment for her clients, where they can experience profound relaxation, relief from pain, and a renewed sense of vitality.
Beyond the massage table, Tessa is committed to empowering individuals on their wellness journey. She provides personalized guidance on stretching exercises, self-care practices, and mindfulness techniques that clients can incorporate into their daily lives.
By fostering a holistic approach, Tessa aim to help clients achieve lasting results and maintain optimal well-being.
She is thrilled to be a part of your wellness journey and looks forward to working with you. Book a session with Tessa to experience the transformative power of clinical massage therapy and embark on a path to holistic wellness.
Where to find us
520, 1st avenue
Just relax, I’ve got your back! (and legs, and arms, shoulders, hands, and feet.
– At Dawn Wellness