The benefits of massage are physical, mental and emotional.
Whether a dog has sustained soft-tissue damage or has undergone orthopedic surgery to reconstruct or replace a ligament or joint, recovery can be long and fraught with its own risks. Increasingly, veterinary surgeons are encouraging owners to work closely with swim therapists and body workers to hasten and ease rehabilitation and ensure full recovery.
Massage administered in cooperation with your dog's veterinarian can shorten recovery time, prevent problems caused by muscle atrophy, decrease pain and discomfort, aid in preventing post-surgical re-injury, reduce scarring and adhesion, and ease the transition back to normal activity levels.
In cooperation with your dog's vet, gentle massage in the weeks and days prior to orthopedic surgery can help decrease pain and discomfort, maintain existing muscle tone, promote joint flexibility and range of motion on the unaffected limbs and can be helpful to your vet and their staff in preparing your dog for surgery.
Massage can reduce the stress and anxiety often experienced by dogs adjusting to new homes. It can also help shy or distrustful dogs learn to accept human touch and build their confidence.
Canine athletes competing in agility, fly-ball, obedience, field trials, and other sports activities need to be kept in peak condition. Regular massage and stretching can increase a dog's range of motion, lengthen its stride and improve overall muscle tone, contributing to quicker and tighter turns, cleaner jumping, and better performance times. Massage incorporated as part of your dog's training regime will also reduce the risk of sports-related injuries.
Guide dogs, service dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, drug, explosive and arson detection dogs, sled dogs, and other canines who work with handlers to provide invaluable assistance to society can all benefit from regular massage. Walking long hours on concrete, leaning into a harness, clambering over rubble, jumping up to retrieve or deposit objects, and working their way through crowded baggage terminals can result in injury, chronic physical issues, and/or low-level stress in many working dogs. Massage can help keep working dogs moving comfortably, prevent injury and counteract stress, adding to the dog's overall "job satisfaction," and possibly even prolonging their careers.
As dogs age, their bodies work less efficiently to supply blood and necessary nutrients throughout the body. Massage increases circulation of the blood, causing better distribution of oxygen and nutrients. Metabolic waste is then more efficiently released from the body. Massage will also help as they become less flexible, as it keeps the joints moving and increases range of motion.
*Important Note: Though excellent for your dog's comfort and well-being as part of a routine conditioning program and in aiding recovery from injury, massage is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your dog is limping or injured, or if you suspect any sort of health problem, please contact your vet immediately.
If you would like your dog to receive the benefits of pre- and post-surgery massage, or want massage to play a part in rehabilitation from injury, please consult your vet first. It may be necessary for your canine body worker to speak with your vet to determine the best way to incorporate massage into the recovery process.
Meg begins every initial consultation with an evaluation of your dog, including medical history, present behavior, diet, elimination, exercise routine, and a physical exam for hot or cold areas, lumps and bumps, and analysis of gait. Your dog will be examined for muscle tightness or knots, and any other possible issues which should be addressed.
Each area of your dog's body is massaged using gentle manipulation of muscles, joints and skin. Several touch techniques are utilized, including crisscrossing and circular strokes, palm compressions, tapping and palpitation, and effleurage. If necessary, essential therapeutic oils and flower essences are used in conjunction with massage to better meet the needs of your dog.
Legs, shoulders, and hip joints are gently stretched after the massage, when your dog's body is relaxed and warmed up. This incorporates a passive movement of joints for a good, thorough stretch.
Sharing your life with dogs brings its own special challenges, including fast-growing bones and joints in puppies, hip dysplasia and arthritis in older dogs, and many of the same aches and pains we humans face as we get on in years. From Labrador Retrievers to Great Danes, Meg has experienced the joys of living with and the pain of losing her large canine companions and is dedicated to helping others live longer, happier lives.
Early detection allows for early intervention.
Regular massage allows for the early detection of health problems. Through touch and observation, changes that have occurred in the skin and hair can be detected, identifying health problems that may be developing along with corresponding behavioral changes.
Massage should never be a replacement for the care of a qualified veterinarian. Even certified canine massage therapists are no substitute for professional medical advice and treatment. Massage is simply an excellent alternative modality that complements the work of your vet.
We use acupressure to work the same points used in acupuncture, stimulating these points with finger pressure, rather than inserting acupuncture needles. Acupressure has been used in China to treat livestock for thousands of years and has slowly become accepted in the West for treating companion animals.
Stimulation of Acupressure Points can release endorphins, reduce pain, cause a relaxation effect, and bring fresh, oxygenated blood into an ailing area flushing toxins and bringing nutrition rich blood where it's needed. Used in conjunction with therapeutic massage, the benefits of each is increased exponentially as opposed to what they can do alone.
Canine massage is deliberate and focused. Each stroke is specific in pressure, direction and intention. Intention + Technique = Healing.
That's the beauty of it! Massage and acupressure are modalities that have no adverse medical side-effects. You may notice a short period of detoxing, when your dog may go to the bathroom more, as the waste and impurities in his/her body begin to move out. If you ever have any concerns, you should contact your veterinarian for advice.
Dogs who have been diagnosed with—or who are being treated for—cancer, dogs with open wounds or blisters, dogs with recent fractures, or dogs with fevers should never be massaged. Dogs should also wait for one hour before and one hour after a meal before being massaged.
Initial consultation, including massage: $50.00
30–45 minute massage (depending on your dog's size): $40.00
Five (5) massage bundle package: $195.00
Multi-dog household discount: Contact us to enquire