Preparation Tips
• Schedule a time where there will be minimal distractions in the home. Appointments are not recommended around feeding time and should not be scheduled within 1-2 hours of eating a meal. It’s also recommended that the 4-legged family member receiving the massage be isolated from other pets and children to allow for a calmer environment.
• It is suggested that you exercise your pet prior to a session if possible and allow a potty break before and after a session.
• Because massage will release toxins from the muscles, water should be readily available after the session is complete to help flush the toxins from your pets system. It’s normal and healthy for a pet to be thirsty after a session.
• You might observe me yawning frequently during massage sessions. A yawn is a calming signal for our pets and is used to help get them to relax. Our 4-legged family members use body language to communicate not only with each other but with us too. My extensive animal handling experience has taught me how to interpret an animal’s body language allowing me to approach your pet in a non-threatening way. I will always work within your 4-legged family member’s comfort level.
• Massage is considered to be intimate and every pet will respond differently. Massage should always be a positive experience and any resistance on the part of the 4-legged family member is considered counterproductive. At no time will a massage be “forced” onto your pet.
• Generally speaking, young pets just like young children tend to have a shorter attention span whereas mature and geriatric pets have more life experience and in turn are usually more receptive to longer sessions. It is perfectly natural for a pet to get up, stretch and reposition themselves during a massage. The more accustomed they are to massage, the longer sessions can become.
Please Read Before Scheduling an Appointment
I do recommend a Veterinary History Form (link below) be completed before my first session with new patients as massage is not advised in some cases including animals with fever, certain heart conditions, an active infection or an animal receiving chemotherapy treatment. Massage might not be recommended if the animal is suffering from an advanced condition of the immune system or lymphatic system. Please note that massage is not a substitute for veterinary care and that a massage practitioner does not diagnose nor prescribe for injury, illness or any other physical disorder, nor does a massage practitioner treat any medical conditions in animals. Please contact your veterinarian if you have medical needs or concerns about the health of your pet.