What Is Canine Massage Therapy?
Canine massage therapy is a holistic approach to dog health that is both gentle and non-invasive. The practitioner evaluates the dog, then applies an appropriate sequence of massage strokes.
Massages range from invigorating deep tissue sports massages to gentle soothing therapeutic massage. Regardless of intensity, canine massage is designed to promote and restore the body's balance, release endorphins, and promote health.
All dogs can benefit from massage.
Who Benefits from Massage Therapy?
While all dogs benefit from massage therapy, it is especially beneficial to the following:
- Senior Dogs
- Working dogs and canine athletes
- Dogs who are recovering from injury
- Dogs with veterinarian diagnosed conditions such as hip dysplasia, and arthritis
- Obese or overweight dogs
- Shy, nervous, or newly adopted dogs
- Large breed puppies
- Dogs with immune or digestive problems
Benefits of Canine Massage
Here are a few ways in which dogs benefit from massage therapy:
All Dogs
- promotes a sense of calm, balance, and relaxation
- heightens focus, concentration, and alertness
- promotes healthy skin, hair, and coat
- helps eliminate toxins and improves the immune system
- early detection of health problems through ongoing assessment
- acts as a passive form of exercise for inactive dogs
- relieves tension, pain, and discomfort
- improves quality of life
Athletic Dogs
- prevents injury by enhancing muscle tone, and increasing range of motion and flexibility
- opens blood vessels, which allows blood to flow freely carrying oxygen to the cells and disposing of waste and by-products
- heightens focus, concentration, and alertness
- relieves tension, pain, and discomfort
- allows for a shorter recovery time after exercise
- improves althletic performance
Senior Dogs
- improves mobility
- provides early detection of health problems through ongoing assessment
- promotes healthy skin, hair, and coat
- helps eliminate toxins and improves the immune system
- heightens focus, concentration, and alertness
- acts as a passive form of exercise for inactive dogs
- helps to prevent atrophy in inactive muscles
- relieves tension, pain, and discomfort
- increases circulation
- improves quality of life
Recovering Dogs
- prevents injury by increasing range of motion and enhancing muscle tone
- opens blood vessels, which allows blood to flow freely carrying oxygen to the cells and disposing of waste and by-products
- heightens focus, concentration, and alertness
- relieves tension, pain, and discomfort
- improves mobility
- increases the ability to exercise
- relieves tension, pain, and discomfort
- acts as a passive form of exercise for inactive dogs, post-surgical dogs, or dogs recovering from illness
Puppies
- promotes healthy growth and development
- acclimatizes the puppy to being handled
- helps to improve the immune system and eliminate toxins
- heightens focus, concentration, and alertness
- prevents injury by increasing range of motion and enhancing muscle tone
Anxious Dogs
- Helps calm nervous and shy dogs
- releases feel-good endorphins
- heightens focus, concentration, and alertness
- relieves tension, pain, and discomfort
- opens blood vessels, which allows blood to flow freely carrying oxygen to the cells and disposing of waste and by-products
- can help with separation anxiety, phobias, and provide the dog with a new sense of confidence and calm.
Canine Massage Appointments
Initial Consultation
All dogs who are commencing canine massage therapy sessions at The Dancing Hound will need to start with an initial consultation appointment.
The initial consultation will be scheduled for 40 to 60 minutes, during which time we will discuss the dog's history, activity level, medical profile, any specific mobility limitations that your dog may have, and your desired outcome from the massage sessions. The initial consultation will include a gentle introductory massage. The goal of this massage will be to introduce your dog to the massage process, create confidence, and start to build a trusting relationship between the practitioner and the dog. This session's focus is about getting to know you and your dog, and establishing a plan for their massage therapy sessions. Owners are encouraged to stay for the duration of the initial assessment.
Massage Therapy Sessions
During regular massage sessions owners are welcome to stay with their dog, but it is not required. Price is by booked session time, and not 'hands-on' time. No dog will be forced to accept a massage; sometimes it takes several sessions for the dog to accept a full body massage. Dogs love massage, and quickly figure out what the sessions are about! Please take your dog for a short walk before the massage session to ensure they are comfortable and won't need to relieve themselves while the session is in progress. It is best not to feed meals for one hour before or after the massage.
Location / Travel
Massage therapy sessions are typically held at The Dancing Hound. In-your-home sessions are available by request for dogs in the vicinity of The Dancing Hound with specific mobility restrictions. This option may be available for dogs who are difficult to move, are in recovery, geriatric, or have specific issues. Please contact me for availability.
Cancellations
Cancellations made at least 24 hours prior to the start of the scheduled appointment will not incur a cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the appointment will be subject to a late cancellation fee.
Payment
Payment is due at or prior to each massage session. The prices are listed below, and payment is accepted in cash or by check*.
Prices
30 Minute Massage Therapy Session: $30
45 Minute Massage Therapy Session: $45
60 Minute Massage Therapy Session: $60
* Checks must be made out to The Dancing Hound Grooming Company Ltd.. The fee for any NSF check is $50, and checks may not be post dated.
All services are subject to 13% HST.