Dogs And Massage, Written By Gill Hornsby
Do you massage your dog? Dogs can benefit from a massage just like us. We are pleased to welcome Gill Hornsby to Mr Slobberchops. Gill explains about what is involved, and how you can help your pet.
I am Gill Hornsby of Great & Small Canine Massage+ and this is a question I often get asked, so let me share some information for you so that you can understand how it is so important for your dog.
Clinical canine massage is certainly not a pamper for your dog & they benefit from massage just the same way as we do.
A Canine Massage Guild Therapist is trained in 4 different massage principles – Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports & Myofascial Release (Direct & Indirect) as well as the Lenton Method™ of massage (which recently have been subject to the world’s first clinical trials in canine massage).
Massage can be used to help with a variety of issues, a few of these are listed below:-
1 – Improve joint functionality, health & range of movement
2 – Breaks the muscular pain cycle associated with arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia and similar conditions
3 – Performance enhancement and injury rehab for sporting dogs
4 – Relieves pain, soreness & stiffness
5 – Restores post-injury muscle strength and function
6 – Increases senior dogs comfort levels and mobility
7 – Improves disposition and mood
8 – Reduces pain-induced stress and anxiety
9 - Reduces inflammation
10 – Rehab – as part of your dogs recovery and pain management programme after surgery such as TPLO or IVDD
To become a Clinical Canine Massage Therapist I completed over 1200 hours training with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, am fully insured and a member of the Canine Massage Guild, which is a professional network of trained therapists, who all have undertaken the same training. I also complete a minimum of 25 hours CPD (continuing professional development) each year, to keep my knowledge and skills up to date.
Next time I will share with you some things that you, as owners, can look out for to help you recognise if your dog may be in pain.
I cover the whole of The New Forest however if you are not local to me you can find your local therapist here - https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/
Gill Hornsby – Great & Small Canine Massage+
www.greatandsmallmassage.co.uk
greatandsmallmassage@gmail.com