Does my dog have to have an issue or injury to receive a massage?

No, you can book in for a maintenance massage which is designed to help keep your dog in tip-top condition.
Many sporting and working dogs get regular maintenance massages as part of their standard healthcare regime.

Will a massage benefit my dog?

95% of dogs respond positively to massage- check out the scientific research proving this - so it is highly likely that your dog will benefit. The About Canine Massage Page will provide you with more details on how massage can benefit your dog.

Why do I need to get a veterinary consent form signed? 

Veterinary Consent forms serve two purposes.
Firstly they allow me to abide by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemptions Order 2015, by never working on an animal without veterinary consent. As stated by the RCVS, “Physiotherapy' is interpreted as including all kinds of manipulative therapy” (Section 19.21), thus including massage therapy.  Manipulation under massage therapy is limited to (or refers to) soft tissue and testing a joint’s range of motion.  I do not manipulate joints like a chiropractor.
Secondly they allow your vet to inform me about the issue or injury and any medication that is relevant to my treatment of your dog.

Will I be charged for getting the veterinary consent form completed and signed?

I don't know. Some veterinary practices charge a small fee for this service and some do not. Some won't charge if you have an appointment for a consultation or the dog has frequent check-ups and some will charge extra for this service. You will need to ask your vet.

Why can't I download a veterinary consent form?

I would like to have a chat with you first about your dog to make sure that there are no obvious contra indicators to massage saving you time, effort and potentially a vets fee.
I also want to check that you are within sensible travelling distance and have not got my location muddled up with somewhere else with the same name. I don't mind travelling but if you thought I was based in Devon rather than West Yorkshire I would work with you to locate a therapist local to you.

Will I need a veterinary consent form for every visit?

No, once you have a completed consent form I can continue to treat your dog for as long as required.
However, if your dog receives a significant new issue or injury then a new consent form will be required just to make absolutely certain that massage is still OK.
If you choose to transfer to a different massage therapist (maybe because you have moved house) you will need a new veterinary consent form for your new therapist.

Can I claim on my dogs Insurance?

It will depend on who you are insured with. Members of the Canine Massage Guild are approved complementary therapy providers officially recognised by insurance companies including Petplan, LV and Pets at Home. Please check with your policy provider to see if they accept claims.

How much do you Charge?

I charge £45 per session.
travel costs may be extra depending on distance

Where will the massage take place?

Normally I will come to you, most dogs settle better in their own homes, however if this isn't sensible or practical you can come to me. We can discuss this during our initial chat.

When are you open?

My normal working hours are:
Monday - Limited Afternoon Appointments
Tuesday - Afternoon and Evening
Wednesday - Morning, Afternoon and Evening
Thursday - Morning and Afternoon
Friday - Afternoon and Evening
Saturday - Morning
Sunday - Closed

What happens at a massage session?

Similar to a massage session for yourself, I will start by asking some lifestyle questions, watch your dog move and then perform a nose to tail assessment before starting the massage.
I am in the process of writing more details which will be coming soon.

How many sessions will my dog need?

Clinical Canine Massage Therapy combines the four disciplines of massage; Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Myofascial release with the clinically trialled Lenton Method® series of direct myofascial release techniques to produce results you can see and your dog can feel in 1 to 3 sessions. The cause and severity of your dogs issue / injury along with how they respond to the first session will determine how many sessions your dog will need. Owners often choose to continue with a maintenance massage once the initial issue or injury has been treated.

How often should my dog receive a massage?

If your dog is being treated for a known injury / issue then the initial sessions should, ideally, be between 5 and 10 days apart. 
For maintenance massages it will depend on the individual dog and their activities. It could be as often as every 4 weeks or as far apart as every 6 months, it isn't fixed in stone and the period between each session will be customised to meet your dogs needs.

My dog is already receiving Hydrotherapy/Physiotherapy/Acupuncture/McTimoney... Can She/He still have a Massage?

Yes, these are all classed as complementary therapies so you don't need to wait until one course is over before starting another therapy. It is advised that you leave at least 48 hours between therapies to allow any residual stiffness to subside (if you have had a sports/deep tissue massage or physiotherapy yourself you will understand).

What areas do you cover?

I am based in Horbury, near Wakefield in West Yorkshire. I mainly cover West Yorkshire but due to my proximity to both the M1 and M62 I can easily get to South Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire too.

Do you also massage Humans/Cats/Horses?

No, only dogs, although judging by the number of times I have been asked this I may expand my species range in the future.

Still not sure?

Contact me for a no-obligation chat about your dog.
Or book yourself in for a massage (with a human massage therapist) and see how you feel afterwards, then ask yourself "Does my dog deserve to feel this good too?"