I work from a treatment room in our garden based in Forest, Guernsey. In some situations, I am able to provide a home visit service.
Appointments are available weekday daytime, some weekday evenings and occasionally weekends. Please do contact me for any enquiries, or to book your dog in for a clinical canine massage treatment.
Code K9 Massage works in accordance to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemptions Order 2015 by never working upon an animal without gaining prior veterinary consent. This is to protect your dog, and ensure that they have no underlying conditions that clinical massage may worsen.
Please download a vet consent form here.
The following conditions are contraindicated for massage, so if you know or suspect any of the following, please let me know when you book.
Your dog will need a 2 week period after any vaccine or spot on treatment before any massage treatment.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions regarding this.
Please do not forget your signed Vet Consent Form.
The cost for the treatment is £50 per session. I have a 24 hour consultation policy.
At your first treatment, please ensure you bring your signed Vet Consent Form.
The initial session will last up to 90 minutes. It will include:
We will have a consultation to discuss your dogs’ medical history, daily life, diet, supplements and main areas of concern.
I will ask you to walk, trot and canter your dog while I assess their gait. I may use slow motion video as this can make it easier to see subtle areas of concern. I will then ask you to put your dog into a sit, down and stand.
This is a 5 minute routine that lets the dog get used to my touch, and allows me to pick up any key areas that I may then focus on during the treatment.
The massage itself will last just under 1 hour, and the whole dog will be treated, not just the main areas of concern. I will use a range of disciplines from Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release and the Lenton Method. The massage will be tailored to your dog’s individual needs so we may work on the floor, on the couch, and give your dog a break if needs be.
After the treatment, I will explain what I have found, and discuss an aftercare and treatment plan. This could include:
I will inform you of The Healing Crisis. Please see more information below.
Ideally, I would see your dog for three treatments (between 1 – 2 weeks apart) and will then step back to assess how they are doing.
All dogs will be assessed for potential bite response. Therefore, for my safety and the wellbeing of your dog, I may request for your dog to be muzzled. This is not because I think they will be aggressive, but some of the technique can be uncomfortable for them and a dog’s reflex response may be to try and nip if I find a sore area. Please be assured that everything is done to keep your dog safe and comfortable at all times.
Massage encourages the natural healing process and can initiate The Healing Crisis. This is because it promotes the release and removal of metabolic waste and toxins which have been trapped within your dog’s soft tissue. The release of toxins can cause your dog to appear a bit different. If this happens, do not worry as this is natural, and can last for a few days.
Symptoms of The Healing Crisis include:
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Follow up treatments last up to 1 hour and include a review of progress. Canine massage is a results driven therapy, with improvements generally seen in one to three treatments, spaced 1 – 2 weeks apart. This gives your dog’s body time to adapt and change after treatments and allows the tissues to adjust for easier manipulation and deeper massage. It also means that I can build more trust with your dog.
Guild therapists work to best practice, so if results are not seen after a course of three treatment, your dog may be referred back to their vet for further investigation.
If required, after your dog’s third treatment, I will write a report to your vet.
Some dogs, such as those with orthopaedic conditions, sporting or senior dogs, may benefit from regular maintenance sessions. These sessions last up to 1 hour and will include a short consultation to assess any concerns or changes since your dog’s last treatment, gait and postural analysis, full treatment and any aftercare advice.
Maintenance sessions can be anywhere from once a month to every three to four months, to ensure your dog is comfortable through the seasonal changes.
As a member of Canine Massage Guild, you can claim back the cost of your dog’s clinical canine massage sessions if your provider is:
If your dog is nervous, I will try to build their trust by working at their pace, use gentle techniques and give suitable breaks if required.
It may be that we need three or more sessions together to work on building trust, so that your dog can learn to relax in the environment and get used to this form of touch.
Massage may help dogs with behavioural issues by relieving any underlying pain and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) which helps dogs to relax.
If your dog is a bite risk, I will require your dog to wear a muzzle. You are welcome to bring your own, or I will supply one. This is for you, your dog’s and my safety. Often, dogs become more relaxed when wearing a muzzle.
Results are usually seen in around one to three treatments initially, although sometimes a fourth is needed.
After that, for maintenance / check ups, it is normally dog and owner dependent. Some owners like their dogs to be checked every four to six weeks, others only a few times a year. I am happy to advise accordingly.