Gentle Hands Equine & Canine Massage

Certified Canine Sports Massage Therapist (CCSMT)

Canine Massage:

Pre-Event, Post-Event and Inter-Event massage:

Is designed specifically for competition dogs.

Pre-Event is an invigorating massage that stimulates the dog, warm up muscles and aid in injury prevention.
Post-Event emphasizes relaxation, loosening tight muscles and joints, increasing blood circulation and relieving muscles soreness and stiffness by flushing toxins from the body.
Inter-Event Massage keeps muscles warm between events and flushes toxins, thereby promoting optimum performance. Stretching exercises generally follow to clear and reset the muscles

Sports Massage: is used as a maintenance and preventative routine to keep your dog in prime condition. It is also used as a vehicle to assess the dog for stress and trigger points and muscle spasms requiring release.

After the initial 2-4 massages the sports massage should be performed every 4 to 6 weeks on healthy muscle.
During show/event season it should be performed every 2 weeks
This massage is great for the hunting dog, agility, and or any sport that requires a lot of the dogs muscles/body.
For the hunting dog- it is best to have this massage done at least 2 times prior to your hunting event or season and 2 times after you have completed your season with the dog.

Therapeutic Deep Muscle Massage: is the same sequence of sports massage, and is performed with a deeper weight of hand for the Canine that enjoys a heavier touch or is being rehabilitated from an injury.

Sports or Therapeutic deep muscle massage should be performed approximately one week prior to a show or event to increase circulation throughout the body and to release stress or target points.

Maintenance and Recuperative Massage:

Used primarily to increase circulation of the blood and lymph systems to eliminate waste and toxins.
Helps the body to heal more quickly and more efficiently.
Relieves stress on compensatory muscles.
Helps relieve pain from the arthritic and/or retired dog
Great for the house dog, older (senior) and retired hunting/show dogs
After the initial 2 to 3 sessions this massage should be preformed every 4 to 8 weeks.

Geriatric (senior) Massage:

This massage helps the older dogs with circulation problems
This massage is not a deep muscle massage, I will only go as deep in the muscles as your dog will allow.
It can take anywhere from 15 min to 60 min, depending on the dog and how they are doing.
I do understand that some geriatric (senior) dogs can be sensitive to touch in their older age when being touched in a place that may hurt them (back, hips, shoulders). It is very important to have those areas massaged in order to keep circulation flowing properly.

Aggressive Dogs Due to soreness and/or injury:

-Examples: Fear biting, growling, snapping and snarling

I will work on a dog that is aggressive or semi-aggressive because of excessive soreness, poor circulation, injury and/or fear. Even the aggressive ones need help. I may ask that your dog have a muzzle put on for yours, his and my safety. I can provide muzzles for your dog as I have various sizes.

Please inform me if your dog may react aggressively to touch when you make the appointment.

Some Benefits to Having Your Dog Massaged:

Relieves discomfort from arthritis, and hip dysplasia
Increases blood and lymph circulation, helps to alleviate pain, reduce edema, and removes lactic acid build-up
Stretches and relaxes muscle
Flushes toxins from muscles and joints
Prevents injuries by warming muscles
Improves mood, calms panic attacks
Relaxes the Muscular System, Increases Muscle Flexibility & Range of Motion
Helps to stimulate and support the immune system
Comforts tired muscles

**Massaging a dog’s aching muscles can help relieve some of the pain of

arthritis. Massage won't cure arthritis, but regular applications can contribute to slowing down the degenerative process of the condition

Contact Elizabeth:

507-358-0107

mnanimalmassage@yahoo.com