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animal lover's profile
Put Your Best Foot Forward
By Ellen Ratner – Greenland, NH How do you get through a pandemic? You put one foot in front of the other, which feels a lot more doable when you have healthy, attractive feet to carry you forward. And here on the Seacoast, experienced podiatrists Dr. Julie Shaheen and Dr. Jim Dolan are determined to help us achieve that very feat, courtesy of Barefoot Medical Spa and From the Ground Up Podiatry. As Dr. Dolan tells me during our phone conversation, “The whole idea of Barefoot is to have a place to heal.” Barefoot Medical Spa is unlike any other, not only on the Seacoast, but throughout the state of New Hampshire and Northern New England. Combining the serene atmosphere of a spa with the highest standard of cleanliness in lower-leg and foot care, clients receive a truly unique treatment experience. Another bonus: upon arriving at Barefoot, visitors are often greeted by Huckleberry, the Dolan’s 11-year-old Havanese (and the spa’s CFO, Chief Furry Officer!).
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Before opening its doors in November 2018, the Stratham spa was born from the vision of providing a completely unique, unbelievably clean, medically supervised spa environment for the Seacoast community. Both Dr. Dolan and Dr. Shaheen had seen an increasing number of patients with infections or other nail or skin conditions, sometimes linked to unsanitary practices at nail salons or spas, which often left individuals either embarrassed or afraid to seek foot care. Barefoot aims to eliminate that trepidation so clients feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door, relaxed by the tranquil environment, and safe choosing one of the carefully curated services available (everything from clean pedicures to specialized wellness therapies with podiatrist oversight). “For us,” Dr. Shaheen says, “the most important thing is the health and safety of our clients.” From the Ground Up Podiatry, located within Barefoot Medical Spa and its partner in client healing, hit the ground running in 2019. Dr. Shaheen and Dr. Dolan are both avid exercisers who love running, skiing and hiking, and are passionate about helping their patients live active lives, starting with the health of their feet. Both are well-known and trusted providers in the community, with a reputation for kind and conservative care. “People have been so excited to see Julie and Jim back together,” Mary Pat Dolan, Dr. Dolan’s wife and Barefoot’s cheerleader, says. “I’ve watched patients greet Dr. Shaheen with huge hugs, pre-pandemic. And the outpouring of support from the community for Jim’s return has been heartwarming.”
Dr. Jim Dolan
TJ, Sugar & Huckleberry Mary Pat & Sugar Dr. Julie Shaheen & Dr. Jim Dolan
Barefoot aims to eliminate that trepidation so clients feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door, relaxed by the tranquil environment, and safe choosing one of the carefully curated services available (everything from clean pedicures to specialized wellness therapies with podiatrist oversight). “For us,” Dr. Shaheen says, “the most important thing is the health and safety of our clients.”
have his toenails clipped. He had moved in with us for the summer and was miserable, lonely, a little surly and an overall curmudgeon. He didn’t trust my doctor recommendation (Disclosure: Dr. Dolan had treated my not-so-pretty hammer toe). He didn’t like the busy waiting room, and he didn’t notice my confiding to the nurse that he was a recent widower. Luckily, he did like the doctor’s wall art – hot dogs! – and when Dr. Dolan walked into the room, well, it was like two familiar friends who just sat down on a bench together. The two men talked about frankfurters and politics. They talked easily, openly, warmly; and for a lovely moment my dad forgot his sorrow. I finally had to nudge him to leave the office, reminding him that Dr. Dolan had other patients to see. “Jim is truly a healer at his core,” Mary Pat says. “After thirtyplus years, he still makes house calls and visits hospice patients in their homes. He connects with people, as does Julie. It’s just a wonderful thing to see.”
The Dolans have always been a dog family, starting with two English Cocker Spaniels, Hans and Franz, named for the recurring ‘Saturday Night Live’ characters. Then came Sugar, a “very elegant, very smart” Standard Poodle with an alpha personality. When Sugar turned
five, Huckleberry joined the brood and later cious Australian Shepherd! Moose is already in took on the alpha role when Sugar passed away, training to accompany the family on summer still sleeping in her bed. He loves his job as Chief hikes and socially distant outings. Furry Officer and is the perfect meeter-greeter. “Huckleberry is happiest when he’s with his while waiting for your luxury pedicure, fungal people,” says Mary Pat. “He keeps track of all nail treatment or tranquility foot soak, you’ll the comings and gonotice several changes impleings of the waiting mented following the outbreak of room, and he seems COVID-19. The spa has modified to know who needs a seating to allow for more space, little bit of furry love. installed barriers between chairs, At times he’ll be inobtained personal protection visible – he’s getting equipment for staff and changed a little slower these to COVID-specific cleaning agents. days and is happy to snooze in the sun - but I’ve seen him get Dr. Shaheen and Dr. Dolan want evup and walk over to eryone to stay healthy, feel strong someone who’s just and enjoy one of the best parts of walked in, and he summer weather: going barefoot! makes that person’s Now may be the perfect time to get day. He’s a real love out of the house safely and treat bug.” Dr. Shaheen your hands and feet to something and her family respecial...a long overdue mani-pedi! cently added a new If you’re lucky enough to meet Huckleberry member to their family; a gal named Moose who is a preMoose Shaheen (BarefootMedicalSpa.com) (FromTheGroundUpPod.com)
