Relaxation massage is a session that is specific to stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. With light, slow strokes throughout the body paying extra attention to just below the occipital bone at the base of the skull where the brain stem meets the spinal cord as well as at the base of the tail where the spinal cord ends. By stimulating the PNS, relaxation occurs. This is the part of the ANS (autonomic nervous system) that responds to creating or requiring relaxation such as sleep and digestion. I like to refer to it as the rest and digest session. Massage can greatly influence and induce relaxation.

On the opposing side of the ANS is the animal's sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for fight or flight response. This part of the nervous system responds to stressors. Stimmulating strokes around the thoracic region of the spine are great for warming up for performance events such as agility.

Relaxation massages generally last between 15 and 20 minutes and can be given daily. All pets benefit from these techniques but pets that are anxious, aggressive, depressed, super hyper, or those that are healing from an injury or sickness greatly benefit from regular PSNS stimulation.

There are many techniques that I look forward to teaching you to use at home.

Relaxation massages are only available in drop in visits and in the Spa.

Maintenance massage is a session planned specifically for your healthy pet. It is intended to address muscle tension such as hypotonic (weak/squishy muscles) and hypertonic (tight/stiff muscles). It is an excellent choice for puppies all the way through senior dogs. Some of the physiological benefits are: improving oxygen supply to the cells; improving elimination of metabolic waste; helping relax the intestinal muscles; stimulating kidney and liver function; improving appetite; improving range of motion of the joints; depending on the tonicity of the muscles, relaxing or stimulating muscles to relieve soreness, stiffness, and weakness; stimulating motor nerves; helping to relieve pain; helping to relieve sleep issues and restlessness; helping a timid dog become more relaxed; improving breathing; helping drain stagnant lymph nodes; removing dead skin cells and shedding hair (immune support) to encourage new cell growth, which in turn improves their coat; and improving the skeletal alignment by relaxing tight muscles that are pulling on their bony attachments. 

There are so many other benefits to maintenance massage! Many times massage plans begin as rehabilitation massage and graduate to maintenance. Typically a maintenance massage is 1-2 times a month.

 Many pet insurance companies accept my services.

The main objective to rehab massage is to stimulate the body’s immune response to encourage healing and provide comfort. My goal is to influence and aid in the natural healing process or compliment a veterinarian’s treatment plan. Some but not all benefits are: stimulating local circulation, decreasing local inflammation, aiding in healthy scar tissue formation, remodeling old/weak scar tissue, releasing stubborn adhesions, and so much more. A few techniques that I have been certified for are: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Sunburst technique (to help with local swelling) and full body circulation massage.

Candidates for rehabilitation massage are: animals who are weakened due to illness or injury, hospitalized pets, animals with nutritional issues, shelter animals, animals that are on strict rest, and many other reasons. Sometimes an animal just might need a mini rehab massage to improve circulation, depression, and help with boredom when they are confined due to strict rest.

Typically rehabilitation massages are planned every 3-5 days or 1 time a week for a set time then we will reassess our plan.

I completely understand how important it is to work with my clients and their budgets. I offer shorter sessions with this in mind. From the moment I place my hands on your pet, changes at the cellular level begin. So please don’t worry it’s not enough, because IT IS. Yes, in a longer session I can address much more but I can still do so much in 30 minutes or less.