Every dog we visit is different and unique. And we plan all treatment sessions in the same way. Each in different and tailored to that dog at that time. The plan might be different still on subsequent visits. There is no template, no prescription, no model. We adapt our therapy to match the needs of the dog.
Gentleman Jack was seen by me at the end of last year. At that time, he was an up and down dog – 5 minutes with me, then would walk away, before coming back for another 5 minutes or so. Since then, his Mum has been working hard with him, getting him far more used to touch and physical therapy. But it is still on his terms – as and when. That’s perfectly fine. As and when is better than nothing at all. And Jack is learning to give himself to Mum when he is most in need.
The recent visit was as though a lightbulb had gone off – still the occasional up and down but far more hands-on time especially when he was lying on the sofa. Then he just closed his eyes and snoozed. His therapy session was quite different from the first.
He is 14 in a few days – hopefully with Mum and me helping him, Jack will keep offering me a different treatment plan and stay comfortable and moving for a long while yet.
We aim to make canine physical therapy accessible and affordable to every dog and their Mum or Dad. When we read Charley’s story on the Hanover Dog page where his Mum was saying how he slipped in the mud and went down on his side I offered to help and try to see Charley as soon as we could. This entailed Chris making a couple of visits to their vets to deliver and then pick up the signed vet agreement form. But all was completed and Charley was booked in with us shortly afterwards.
Charley is a 10 year old Chocolate Labrador with arthritis in most of his joints but particularly in his hips. After his fall, Charley cried out in pain and then couldn’t put any weight on his front paws. He had to be carried home by car and hobbled after that clearly in discomfort.
Charley also likes to make it known that all conversation has to be about him. If not, he vocalises. That made the consultation and treatment session much fun. Every time I would ask him Mum something or show her a massage move that would help, Charley wanted to join in the chat.
But he needed help and he knew it. Charley is smart really. It took a while but gradually the vocalising slowed, then stopped and Charley ‘got it’. This was good. This is helping. This is oh so relieving.
As if by magic, after an hour, he got up on the sofa allowing his Mum to sit next to him while he placed his head in her lap. We went through all the things that would help and could be added to a daily therapy routine. Meanwhile not a sound from Charley – just lots of “I love you Mum” eyes.
He already has mats around the house but the food and water bowl needed raising. His Mum didn’t have anything of the right height so ended up holding his bowl up for him. Now that is a Star Mum.
We went through some stretching techniques and exercises – Charley needed space opening up in his back and neck connection, increasing his movement & ease. This should help create a more fluid rotational movement in his spine making it more comfortable for him to stand. Charley LOVES our special Back Space technique and now demands it from his Mum, stretching forward like a giraffe. Sometimes this one move can help address so many other issues.
Charley’s Mum wrote us a lovely review “Les was absolutely fantastic with Charley. He showed such love and patience. He has given us both hope that we can help his arthritis….I finally feel like I am doing something to help Charley through this.”
I warned that Charley might become a Massage Diva – this typically takes a few days. Not our Charley. 2 hours later his Mum wrote “It is amazing! He is on my bed and I’m doing it now. If I stop, he lifts up his paw to touch me to carry on! …..He is so calm now. And he keeps rolling from side to side when he wants a change!” and then the following morning Charley himself wrote “Hi Uncle Les. It’s not even 10 o clock and I have had a warm up, a walk and a cool down. I did my tricks- you left your treats here (I don’t mind)I have had a long massage- my eyes actually rolled back my mum said! I am now going to sleep.
Thank you for teaching my mum this- I love it!! ”
His Mum said that her “worry face has been replaced by a big grin xx” and that through touch and knowing that she can help him rather than just watching him look uncomfortable “it’s like we have found each other all over again”
This will be the start of Charley’s new life. An empowered Mum full of positivity and armed with the tools to help him. Can’t wish for a better outcome than that.
Thanks Charley x
Last week 14 year old Harry had a bit of a turn with a seizure or possible stroke. It left him all scrunched up.
When his Mum Sarah from Hounds on the Downs sent me the Before picture everything about his posture suggested he needed some gentle stretching to ease his back and regain his confidence. I sent her some of our leg, back and neck stretches to try.
The After picture is after they have done some of these gentle exercises – nothing intrusive just asking him to lean forward with a treat inducer. In this way, he is stretching himself, all Sarah had to do was to hold the treat in front of his nose making sure he his alignment was longways which will, in turn, make his weight equally balanced right and left, his back is straight, and his eyes are looking forward to ensure proper cervical alignment.
Harry’s favourite vet nurse, Jay from Coastway, has also been involved with his recuperation, showing Sarah where she needs to concentrate on Harry.
There is still a way to go but Sarah said he is looking less wobbly and moving much more comfortably.
Cooperation and Teamwork (Harry, Mum, vet nurse Jay and us)
+ Education and Knowledge (Not just knowing but doing)
+ Perseverance (Not giving up)
+ Awareness (Knowing what signs to look for before issues become chronic)
= Great Big Result
#notjustmassage
#spreadtheword
Among the ‘New for 2019’ dogs was Vintage Girl Rokit, a 13 year Lab who was referred to us by Guy of Coastway Vets with generalised osteoarthritis and stiff back. She also has Cushings and Vestibular Syndrome as well as a cyst in her neck. But she still manages her walks in the countryside every day.
Why Rokit? Because she was very speedy when she was a puppy and her younger siblings couldn’t spell Rocket – hence Rokit.
I was told she can be a bit wary of new people who are touching her. But she rather seemed to take to me – putting her head straight down and shifting her body so I could get to all areas. I think she even knew what I was saying. “If you can’t get to the side she’s laying on, don’t worry – do that side another day” I said. To which she rolled over giving me access to the ‘other side’. Dogs are brilliant.
Her Mum is a human massage therapist so had all the skills but just needed to think of Rokit, not as her best friend when working with her, but as a client. That way all her massage intuition and experience will flow naturally. Intention, intention, intention. So important.
You can’t play at massage. There is not a prescription that fits every dog. It doesn’t follow the same pattern. You need empathy. You need the dog to know you’re there to help and not play.
Using her existing massage skills and looking at her in a new way, Rokit’s Mum will be able to carry on all the good work.
We ended up with some simple and fun stretching exercises before letting Rokit snooze off all that excitement. Vintage Girls need their beauty naps
11 year old Miniature Poodle Tilly's Mum described her issue as ‘creaking’ when she stretches and wondered if she would benefit from maintenance massage sessions.
We love terms like ‘creaking’ and ‘ouchy bits’ as they not only perfectly describe what is going on, but describe how it must feel. I often get up from the floor after an hour working with a dog and feel creaky. My knees often get ouchy. Terms like that can bring home the discomfort our dogs might be undergoing.
Tilly is quite an anxious dog with people she doesn’t know (she has a short list of OK people) but she sat in my lap shaking slightly. She wasn’t trying to get away at all, but keeping her eye on me just in case. Over the next few minutes the shakes started to subside until 10 minutes in we were like life long besties. No shakes, just sleepy eyes and relaxed yawns.
When I went to leave, she was most put out, clambering up my leg to try and keep me behind for more. I think I’m now on her list of ‘nice people’.
Trust.
When working with dogs that is a HUGE word. You’re performing physical therapy, not petting. The dog may not have been touched in a professional way before. Petted certainly, but intentional touch. Possibly not.
You can’t force them to enjoy massage. You can’t force trust. It will happen. It’s not about pampering. Massage will affect all parts of their body. Muscles, nervous system, lymphatic system, joints – everything. That is bound to feel odd at first for a dog. Plus, your dog might be sore, tense, anxious or uncomfortable. And here is someone touching them. If you’ve had a massage session yourself, you’ll know how important it is to feel safe and have trust in your therapist.
By working with the dog, letting them know this is not coddling but beneficial touch, that trust is built up. And they let you in – physically and emotionally.
When we were working with Alfie and Flint recently, both leaned in for a head to head touch. And later while Chris was working with Alfie, Flint decided he would sit in his lap while I was working with him. Trusting. Special. #bestjobintheworld
Lots of people are making New Year Resolutions around getting fit (fitter). How about combining that with helping a dog?
Chris and I volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust helping people who can’t walk their own dogs – because of infirmity or circumstance.
We’ve been walking the handsome Alfie for over a year now. Twice a week for 45 minutes up to the Windmill in Rottingdean. Lots of hills for us to climb and lots of fresh air once we’re up there. Alfie is 13 but still does his zoomies although his favourite pastime is to sniff. Everything. Absolutely everything. Except when it’s wet. On those days it’s a quick out and back again walk. Clever Alfie
The other week we were contacted about helping Whiskey (not the drink – the 11 year old yellow Lab with a white stripe down his back). Whiskey lives very close to us and right opposite a Park. He already has a number of volunteers help him but we were told any extra would be great – typically once a week.
So after all the indulgences of the festive season, New Years Day saw me walking round the Park getting my exercise while Whiskey was catching up on all the pee mail he’d missed. Double result.
All you need to offer is a day a week for 45 minutes or so (depending on age and ability of the dog) and you can assist with keeping that dog with their loving Mum or Dad. Plus, all the exercise, fresh air, dog cuddles, smiles and laughs that walking a dog gives you.
