Monday, March 9, 2009
Benefits of Dog Massage
Many of us have seen the benefits of canine massage. The range is extensive and virtually every dog can profit from the positive touch of massage. We can comfort and encourage healing in the sick and injured, invigorate a couch potato, build confidence in the abused, neglected or rescued dog, stimulate the competitor, energize the working dog or relax a stressed or anxious dog. Truly, a massage can be choreographed to meet every need. I would like to invite my students and others to share their stories of dogs who have experienced positive results from massage.
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After I completed my canine massage training in Ohio a couple of years ago, I volunteered for a local animal shelter to walk and massage the dogs. The first dog I massaged was a pit bull mix who had been abused. I thought it would be a great opportunity to show her "good touch". The shelter agreed to let me work with her, but a couple of their stipulations were that I could not look her in the eyes and the kennel supervisor had to be in the room. At that point I thought "uh oh, maybe this isn't such a good idea". I had no experience with pit bulls, let alone abused ones that had been in a shelter for a year. They schedule me to work with the dog the next day.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was on my way to work on the dog, I called the canine massage instructor and asked his advice on how to work with her. Should I muzzle her? Will he say "Run, what are you thinking you are not ready for this?" He said "absolutely do not muzzle the dog, and approach her with your skill and good intentions, you know what you are doing." Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but I did it and it was a wonderful experience for both of us. Within a few minutes of working with the dog she was on my lap, belly up, licking my face, appreciating all of it. I worked with her a few more times and eventually she was adopted out to her forever home.