One of the reasons I'm posting pictures of my clients receiving massage is to show that Canine Massage is more than just petting the dog.  To be effective and done properly it requires training in a number of areas - canine behavior, animal communication, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and of course massage technique and application. I hope these photos help convey that, and that you enjoy looking at them as much as we enjoyed making them!.

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A Pit Bull juvenile (but not a delinquent!) with 'swimmers disease'

enjoying his massage.
The condition cannot be cured but the accompanying discomfort due to
the imbalance can be alleviated to some degree.

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This is Jumbo, a justly named Great Dane-Pit Bull mix. 

Jumbo's had some mis-haps and a surgery which has left him favoring

one side.  As the years go by the natural aging process is exaggerating

this condition. Massage is helping to keep him balanced and hopefully

on all 4 feet for a long while to come!

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He knows he gets a treat after his massage and this is his version

of waiting patiently, and hinting subtly.   

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In loving memory of Hannah - a truly Happy Hound!

This is Hannah's first massage experience, and she's a
little nervous as some dogs are in the beginning.  After
all, it's a new form of touch for them.

Now Hanna's starting to understand, and she relaxes a little more...

...well, you just can't get more relaxed than this!

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Here's Missy, a young hound mix.  (If you think you know what

breed she is please let me know!)

She was rescued with her brother and is now in excellent health with no

physical problems at all.  But Missy wasn't socialized well and is learning to

accept attention and touch from strangers.  Massage is teaching her that

a clinical or therapeutic touch can be non-invasive, non-threatening and

even pleasant.

These were taken at her 2nd massage session, and the 3rd time we've met.

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Meet Aspen, having a tight hamstring worked on.
According to his mom and dad Aspen deserved a massage
after having what was justly described as a 'bad day'...

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This is Jack The Bear of Muttville receiving a soothing massage
while Bunny and Midge wait their turns. 

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Still at Muttville, this is Frazier, the newest addition to the group.
Frazier is blind so he's tentative and defensive when moving around.
Massages will help alleviate the tension that builds, keeping him
mobile and healthy.  

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Below is Oscar Wilde Weiner at the 2nd annual Bay Area Pet Fair, 

having no problem adapting to his first massages.

This is what his mom had to say a couple of days later:

 - "Oscar would have been "tipping through the tulips" had we any.  My
landlady took one look at him happily sauntering up the path and said
"Wow, what's up with Oscar. He looks joyous."  I told her he had two
massages over the weekend and that after the second one he was so relaxed,
he fell asleep for 20 minutes right in Shelah's lap.  Oscar definitely
benefitted from his massages. Thank you so much. I wish we lived closer,
I would bring him more often. "

Sadly, a short while after these were taken Oscar was lost during
dental surgery.  He is remembered fondly.

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And this is Precious, the most exuberant Pit Bull on the planet.

Precious was rescued needing multiple surgeries from degenerative disease

and a car accident.   Like Missy (above) she also wasn't socialized well but instead

of exhibiting fear aggression her enthusiasm for giving and getting affection can be

difficult to manage.  Precious' massage sessions are as much about learning

to be a 'good citizen' as they are about therapy to keep her young and healthy.

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