About The Therapist:
Our massage therapist has followed a professional program in animal massage with 4animals (Montreal QC). Education background has covered the study of canine anatomy, physiology, passive and active assessment, massage theory practice and technique, acupressure points, stretching, and aromatherapy.
Member of the IAATH association (International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing)
Massage Benefits:
Therapeutic massage on dogs has similar positive effects and benefits it has on people
- Improves blood circulation
- Drainage of toxins
- Reduces muscle tension
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Stimulates their metabolism (this helps in weight loss)
- Reduces blood pressure
- Helps in healing process after an injury or a surgery
- Helps in regaining and keeping muscle tone
- Relief of chronic pain
- Helps to increase flexibility and keep joints healthy
Many veterinarians and scientific researchers agree that regular sessions of therapeutic massage adapted to the needs of the animal do improve and maintain their health
Candidates
Growing dogs: The rapid growth of their bones and muscles can cause pain and discomfort. They are generally hyperactive and fearless. Massage can soothe their pain, have a calming effect and help prevent injuries. It can also help them get used to being touched, a positive when the time comes to start trimming their nails or visit their vet.
Working dogs: These dogs pound the pavement for hours, pull heavy loads, jump and search through debris to accomplish very precise tasks without letting themselves be distracted. They are the guide dogs, police dogs, rescue dogs, and sleigh dogs. Massage can target many different elements here, from chronic muscle tension to helping the recovery after an injury. It can also treat muscular compensation resulting from a guide dog for example always having to be positioned on the right side of his owner. If left untreated those muscular tensions can provoke discomfort, pain and even problems in the bone structure. Massage therapy can lengthen the period of time of service of all the working dogs.
Older dogs: Older dogs often become less active and more prone to injuries. Massage strengthens their immune system, stimulates their metabolism, helps to alleviate pain from age-related conditions such as arthritis, rebuild and maintain muscle tone and in keeping their joints healthy.
Frightened dogs: They’ve often been adopted and sometimes the previous owner has mistreated them. They have a difficult time getting used to their new home. Massage therapy and PATIENCE can calm these anxious and fearful dogs and help them regain trust in humans.
Dogs in rehabilitation: With the agreement of your dog’s veterinarian, massage can help accelerate the healing process after an injury or a surgery. It can have a positive impact on muscle atrophy and muscular compensation as well as in helping in preventing and eliminating adhesions.
Performance dogs: These athletes compete in events like agility and have to be kept in top shape. Regular massage helps to prevent injuries, keep their muscles healthy and increase flexibility and range of motion.
Massage techniques
Muscle relaxation includes techniques that can be similar to the ones performed on us humans while we receive a Swedish massage. It can be calming or stimulating depending on the rhythm of the application of each move. Petrissage, effleurage and kneading are a few of the techniques used to gently relax the muscles.
Reiki is energy work based in the ancient Japanese healing tradition. The effects are calming and healing. The massage therapist uses his most positive energy combined with the ''universal energy'' which is the translation and meaning of the word Reiki.
TTouch is the Tellington touch and includes small circular moves using the tip of the fingers on the muscles. It is very precise in its application and also very useful while massaging smaller dogs.
Stretching is another technique to gently relax the muscles in the front and hind limbs. It also helps increase flexibility and range.
Aromatherapy works wonders on dogs. Lavender essential oils diffused in the room during the session help them unwind and relax and since their sense of smell is much more sensitive than ours, a smaller quantity of the oil is used.
With the help of all the techniques, massage therapy is physical work on the muscle structure and never on the bone structure which would be the domain of Canine Osteopathy.
At the initial
appointment we will open up a personal file for your dog. We will discuss important details like his/her general health and personality/behaviour for our massage therapist to better establish a massage routine that will be adapted to the specific needs of your pet.
The session lasts aprox 80 minutes.