Greg Doss

Greg Doss graduated from the Professional Massage Therapy Program at the Salt Lake Campus of the Utah College of Massage Therapy in March of 2002. Upon graduation, Greg began his own practice, primarily conducting out-call visits. Greg recently began working with Hospice for Utah, working with the terminally ill to help ease pain.

Hospice is a medically based service organization built to help terminally ill people with a diagnosis of six months or less to live manage the end of their lives. The goal of hospice is to assist in providing a happy, pain-free environment before the onset of death.

Greg was asked to volunteer an hour of massage therapy for Glen, an older gentleman dying of terminal matasticized cancer. Glen was in pain from the cancer that has spread throughout his body and is spreading through his spine into his sacrum. The cancer causes a significant amount of pain in his lower back. Glen asked for a massage therapist to help ease his pain without drugs and allow him some peace. He wants to be as lucid as possible for as long as possible.

Greg showed up to the assisted living community where Glen lived excited to volunteer, a little nervous and with the perfect, pure intention to help, comfort and empathize. At the end of the first session Glen was relaxed and sound asleep. Glen had not been able to sleep soundly for weeks. His back felt looser, he was less anxious and slept that night as well. After the first session with Glen, Greg decided he would like to volunteer bodywork three times a week for Glen until he passes away.

Greg practices massage, Reiki, reflexology and palliative care. He works with Glen for thirty minutes to one hour, mostly providing bodywork and also just talking. Thus far, Glen is receiving massage therapy and other bodywork three times a week. He is sleeping easier and living a happier life.

Of his experience with Glen, Greg stated, "Volunteering with Glen reminds me of the reason I sought out UCMT: to heal through positive touch without any expectations of reward. The experience alone is reward enough. The benefits of being a massage therapist are infinite. Everyday I find reasons to celebrate my chosen career."