Canine Massage Therapy

"I am very happy with Amy’s work.  She is not only professional and kind, but most importantly worked wonders!  My dog, Tori, a three-year old pit bull mix, is notoriously anxious and hyperactive.  Before the session, I was worried that Tori wouldn’t be able to sit still long enough for Amy to do any work- but after a few minutes with a few “calming” and “grounding” strokes, my “crazy” dog was still and calm, and had a soft grin on her face.  Then, while Amy did some deeper work, she took the time to teach me, step by step, what she was doing and why, and how I could do it too- so helpful!  After the session, Tori actually took a nice long stretch and lay down.  She was one happy dog!   Amy is truly talented.  I recommend her massages to dogs everywhere!!"

-Laura Peranteau

Benefits of Massage

Canine Massage can be offered for relaxation, rehabilitation or competition purposes.  The benefits of massage to dogs is equivalent to the benefits experienced by humans.  The physiological effects and benefits of canine massage include the following:

• Improved circulation and bloodflow
• Endorphin release
• Increased toxin release
• Strengthen immune system
• Relaxation and tension relief...promoting calmness and stress reduction
•  Reduced stiffness and restore pain free mobility and flexibility            
• Injury prevention by increasing range of motion and enhancing muscle tone
• Improve althletic performance and endurance
• Posture maintenance and balance
• Improving mental focus and attitude
• Promotes healthy skin and coat by distribting natural oils

Canine massage therapy should not be used as a substitute for veterinary medical care.  However, when used in combination with medical care, it can help enhance the recovery process in many medical cases.  In particular, canine massage used for rehabilitation purposes can include the following benefits:

• Help to relieve age related problems
• Reverse muscle atrophy from inactivity or disease
• Provide relief from muscle tension, soreness, spasms and weaknesses
• Provide relief from chronic pain and discomfort from arthritis, hip dysplasia etc. through the release of endorphins

In addition, massage can provide emotional well-being for the dog...calming hyperativity, anxiousness and nervousness.

Amy will be seeing clients at Dogma on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Please feel free to call and schedule an appointment....your dog will love you for it!!

Amy Shay is a Certified Massage Therapist who has received extensive training in Massage Therapy at Health Choices Holistic Massage School in Hillsborough, New Jersey.  In addition, Amy has earned her certification as an Animal Massage Practitioner from the PetMassage Training and Research Institute in Toledo, Ohio.  She has honored her calling to provide the gift of massage to all dogs at any stage of life, as a token of appreciation for the lifetime of love and companionship that they bring to us.  Amy has worked with premature puppies,  helping them to survive outside of their mother’s womb, as well as geriatric dogs living with terminal illnesses.