Benefits of Canine Massage Therapy

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Written by K9 Partners for Patriots

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Articles | News

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July 24, 2017

Discover why flea markets may not be the best environment for service dogs.

Learn about risks, distractions, and considerations for handlers.

1. Crowded Environment: Flea markets are often bustling with crowds, which can be overwhelming for a service dog. The dog may become stressed or anxious in such a busy atmosphere.

2. Distractions: Flea markets are filled with various sights, sounds, and smells that can distract a service dog from its duties. This could potentially compromise its ability to assist its handler effectively.

3. Unpredictable Behavior of Other Animals: Other visitors to the flea market may bring their pets along, which can lead to encounters with unfamiliar animals. This may pose a risk to the safety and focus of the service dog.

4. Risk of Injury: With so many people moving around and browsing items, there’s an increased risk of accidental tripping or stepping on the service dog, which could lead to injury.

5. Exposure to Unsanitary Conditions: Flea markets may not always maintain the cleanest environment, and the service dog may come into contact with unsanitary surfaces or substances.

6. Lack of Accommodation for the Dog: Flea markets may not be equipped to handle service dogs properly, such as providing suitable resting areas, water, or relief spots for the dog.

7. Potential Stress for the Dog: A flea market’s constant stimulation and unfamiliar surroundings could cause stress or discomfort for the service dog, which may affect its overall well-being and ability to perform its tasks.

Given these factors, it’s important for service dog handlers to carefully consider whether taking their dog to a flea market is truly necessary and in the best interest of the dog’s welfare and effectiveness in assisting its handler.

Here at K9 Partners For Patriots we take the mental and physical health of our service dogs very seriously. As with all service K9’s, our dogs are totally dedicated to their handlers. They are on duty 24/7 and even when tired, sore or injured they will carry on giving 100%, doing their best to hide what is ailing them, not allowing anything to prevent them from doing the job they know is so important to their human.

Repetitive Strain Injury

Think about how your body feels after a long days work, both physically and mentally exhausted, those trigger points or knots forming in your neck, shoulder or lower back? Dogs are no different, their muscles ache, they get trigger points in similar places that we humans do. We get repetitive strain injury from performing a task repeatedly, guess what? So do dogs!!!

We provide massage to compliment regular veterinary treatment and make it available for all of the dogs in the program from day 1 of their training throughout their service life. Sometimes a training issue is not a training issue. If we find a dog is struggling with a certain command or task it is possible this could be due to an old injury such as a strain. The last thing we want is for a dog to associate a command with pain in a muscle or joint and refuse to do it. Massage has been effective in easing those sore areas so the dog is then able to continue its work with no further discomfort. We encourage our veterans to bring their dogs for a treatment on regular basis, that way we can be sure the dogs are in good muscular shape and identify areas that could cause an issue if left unattended.

Psychological Down Time

In addition to the physical work our service K9’s do there is also the psychological aspect of their job. Our veterans are battling with PTSD and/or TBI or MST, their dogs are right there by their side supporting them through this. Just like their veterans, it is so important for the dogs to have some down time and recharge. Massage is a wonderful way to help the dogs relax and ease away those tensions.

Massage is Not Just for Working or Sports Canines

Massage is not just valuable for working or sports canines, our pet can also benefit. Some dogs may have orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia, some may have needed surgery for some reason such as cruciate repair. Over time, as with people, some dogs will develop arthritis. All these things take a toll on the muscles in those limbs that are having to compensate. While there is nothing we can do to reverse these conditions, massage is an invaluable therapy to help support those hard working muscles, providing drug free pain relief and keep our canine friends mobile for longer.

The Number 1 Cause of Injury in Dogs is Slippery Flooring

Sliding around on wood, tile or laminate floor can cause some dreadful injuries and I’ve treated several dogs that have been paralyzed as a result of this. Thankfully these dogs have returned to mobility, albeit not 100%, but at least they can once more get around under their own steam.

So how do we avoid this from happening with our own dogs?

Put down rubber backed, non-slip runners in those areas where your dogs come in contact with slippery flooring.
Don’t play games such as throwing toys around in areas with slippery floors.

Official Canine Massage Therapist for K9 Partners for Patriots, Inc.

Vreli Covington

Canine Massage Therapist

Vréli Covington is a certified clinical canine massage therapist working in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and has been practicing for 6 years. She trained with the Canine Massage Therapy Center in the UK, studying for 2 years to gain her diploma. She started her own business, K9 Body Works, ran clinics in the South West of England and was also an assistant tutor with the Canine Massage Therapy Center before moving to Florida in 2016.

Vréli works closely with a veterinary office near the K9 Partners for Patriots HQ and a veterinary chiropractor on the Florida agility circuit. As well as the K9P4P service dogs her clients include some of the top US agility dogs, international canine athletes from Canada, England & UK agility teams and canine movie stars.