Massage and bodywork hold the same heath benefits for animals as they do for humans and are becoming increasingly popular with dog owners. Along with regular veterinary visits, daily exercise and a healthy diet, massage is a proactive therapy that helps keep your dog well balanced. Massage is extremely beneficial for dogs living with mobility issues or chronic illness as well as those recovering from surgery. For healthy, active dogs, massage is an effective way to prevent muscle related problems and strain injuries. Listed below are some of the benefits of massage therapy and bodywork. Each session is tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

• Provides greater joint flexibility and increases range of motion
• Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
• Shortens healing time of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
• Reduces formation of excessive scar tissue (less scar tissue build up means better mobility)
• Improves proprioception (the outside information feedback mechanism in the animal's body that helps with movement and balance)
• Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymphatic fluids
• Reduces pain and swelling (including intervertabral, joint and muscle)
• Aids in digestion
• Decreases blood pressure
• Strengthens the immune system
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Stimulates liver and kidney functions
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing
• Enhances the health and nourishment of the skin and coat

Shawn Kay, owner of Mind Body Dog, is a certified Small Animal Massage Practitioner and graduate of The Northwest School for Animal Massage. She is also a former veterinary technician at Back On Track Veterinary Rehabilitation Center in Portland, Oregon.