Your Dogs Appointment

Interested in setting up a massage appointment for your Heart-Dog? Here is what to expect from your dogs session:

Setting up the session:
You can contact us by either phone or email. I will ask you some questions about your special guy or girl, and set up the appointment at the time and location that is mutually convenient. Contact Heart Dogs Massage

Appointment Types:
 I book appointments for a set period of time (for scheduling purposes) but ultimately the length of the appointment is determined by the reason for your dogs session and how tolerant and comfortable your dog is.  There are two different types of sessions we book:
~Pre/post-event massage: these are done at trial and match locations. These are usually booked for 20 minutes at the cost of 20$. These are sessions to loosen up the dogs body and to locate any areas of discomfort that may effect the dogs performance. Your dog will experience a full body massage with speed and techniques designed to invigorate, or relax your dogs body. No trouble spots (trigger points) will be worked, as those muscles may be sore for a few days after being worked on (which isn't desirable before a trial!) but can be addressed at a later time during full-session massage.
~Full-Session: these massages can be done during scheduled appointment times only. These massages are booked in 10 minute blocks at the cost of 10$. (minimum of 20 minutes) Your dog will experience a full body massage with techniques designed to relax both your dogs body and mind. These sessions are designed to address and work trouble spots (trigger points) and to provide more focused work on areas that may be an issue. It is recommended that an initial 20 minute session is booked for dogs new to massage therapy, so that you as a guardian can gauge if your dog is enjoying the treatment, and if it is beneficial. If your dog enjoys the initial visit, and will enjoy more time at the next session, more time can be booked. If your dog has had massage therapy treatments before or has medical issues, a 30 or 40 minute appointment may be more beneficial. We want to do whats best for you both; we want to book you just enough time-not too much, and not to little. If you have any questions, please call at any time.
*Please be aware that although the benefits of massage are many, every dog is an individual and as such their bodys can react differently. Again, massage is very benign, but what may be able to help one dog, may not help or affect another. There are also contraindications for massage. Your dog cannot and should not be massaged if they have any kind of acute condition (which also includes inflammation, fever and infection or illness, trauma or injury). If the condition is not acute, and has been seen by a veterinarian, I will need documentation OK'ing your dog to have a massage. Massage is also not indicated locally for disc rupture, wounds, lacerations, skin lesions, rashes or lumps. Massage for cancer patients is a very controversial topic in both human and canine practices. If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer, please call us to discuss possible massage treatments.

Your Heart-Dogs Appointment:
Please arrive to your appointment 5-10 minutes early. Please take this time to walk your dog outside; this will not only allow your dog to become familiar with the area and potty, but also warms up the muscles before they will be massaged. When you and your dog arrive, I'll spend the first few minutes getting to know you both. I became a Canine Massage Practitioner because  wanted to meet people like you, with dogs like yours! Tell me how you met, what you guys do, and anything you think I should be aware of. You know your dog the best, and every dog is an individual. Does your dog smile? Happy growl? Like toys? Treats? Lick their lips when they're uncomfortable? Let us know!
During the massage, I will be pointing out any areas that seem to be "trouble" spots; they might be tight, have knots or trigger points, or spasm. Often I will ask you to feel them along with me. One of the best things about massage, is that it can often be done at home by you the owner. I will show you simple techniques to do for your Heart Dog at home so that they may be helped by you in between sessions. All of this is of course, done at your comfort as well.

If it is possible, please bring treats that your dog enjoys and can eat. It's a nice way to the end of a great session with your great dog!

Please feel free to ask any questions and chat throughout and after the session, If there is anything that I cannot answer right away, please give me the best way of contacting you with the answer. If I do not know the answer to something, I will try and find out for you; massage is always a great learning experience! The wrong information can be bad information so I will always tell you the truth.

If you both enjoyed the session and would like to book another, we can do that at the end of your dogs appointment or you can always call or email us.

I understand that choosing a member of your Heart Dogs wellness team can be a very important (and sometimes daunting!) task. I understand! And I thank you for choosing me to help your dog stay healthy throughout his or her life.