Canine massage therapy can alleviate the behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms of pain or distress by removing tension, knots, realigning muscles and ligaments, and creating a more relaxed animal. It is more than petting or grooming. Let me show you why.
Does your pet show any of the following signs?
- Stiffness
- Limping or irregular gait
- Walking or standing in a C-shape
- Tail down and tight
- Itching
- Shaking
- Lethargy
- Getting up slowly and stiffly from a prone position.
Bodywork that includes multiple modalities can address common physical changes in your pets and help remove imbalance and interference to natural movement, alleviating the symptoms above. In addition, therapeutic canine massage can prevent symptoms and slow the aging process- keeping your dog active and fit for as long as possible!
Bodywork is an important aspect of holistic wellness and prevention, increasing healthy blood flow and removing imbalances in the muscle. As a result, the soft tissue can properly stabilize the vertebrae, tendons and ligaments. Canine massage also provides positive touch and desensitization as well as early detection of physical changes for pets of all ages and activity levels.
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE
- Reduce inflammation
- Increase circulation
- Improve digestion
- Speed wound healing
- Restore mobility to injured muscle tissue
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Early detection of skin and health problems
- Positive desensitization to touch
- Relieve pain naturally
- Increase flexibility
About Your Practitioner
Heather Wallace is a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT), Canine Sports Massage Therapist (CCMT), and Craniosacral Therapist (CST) providing acupressure, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, sports massage techniques and more depending on your dog’s need.
Her focus is on gaining your pet’s trust, removing an imbalance in the muscle and making for a happier and more active pet!
Why work with Heather?
Heather has worked for years with a variety of breeds and ages. She is incredibly sensitive to the needs of each client and their softest communication. Time after time Heather has earned the trust and bonded with even the most anxious animals, some of whom would not let others interact with them. Trust is earned and there is nothing she finds more gratifying than working in partnership with her canine clients to help them find balance naturally and live their best lives mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Does your pet have arthritis? Injured? Separation anxiety? New puppy? Ask us how we can help.
Sessions are by appointment only on Wednesday and Friday mornings in our Tinton Falls office at Prism Integrative Veterinary Health. Concierge visits are available for mobility and anxiety cases for a surcharge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Pre-Treatment
Please complete the Consultation Form prior to your first appointment. Please make sure your dog has been walked prior to our session. We encourage owners to be in the room but for home visits other pets should be kept separate to aid relaxation and prevent distraction. Dogs may be unused to therapeutic massage because it is different than petting and we work at your animal’s comfort level.
Post-Treatment
After your dog’s therapeutic massage session your animal may need to go to the bathroom more frequently. This is normal and allows the body to continue to release toxins naturally. Please provide ample water. A short walk after our session will be beneficial to stretch their legs and allow for further tension release.
Frequency
Regular massage provides the best results for your pet. We recommend a minimum of three weekly sessions to introduce your animal to bodywork and achieve the best results.
Introductory, rehabilitative, and senior massage is recommended every 1-2 weeks. General maintenance is recommended to prevent injuries and keep the joints fluid and muscles in optimal condition. Bodywork works best when used to keep the body in balance, and prevent illness or injury. As a result regular sessions every 2-4 weeks are the general recommendation. However, a customized treatment plan will be created for your animal based on personality, activity level, and owner’s input.
Please visit our Testimonials to hear what our clients are saying about us.
*Disclaimer: Massage and aromatherapy are complementary therapies that are meant to assist self- healing. These therapies are not a replacement for veterinary care. Massage professionals are not qualified to treat, diagnose, or give a prognosis of any injury or illness. Consult your veterinarian for concerns with your animal’s health.