Pet Shop Boyz News

Dog Massage

Written by: Paul Thomas, 10 Nov 2008

There is a new kid on the block at The Petshop Boyz!

 

Jocelyn Barker a Canine Myofunctional Therapist is making a name for herself as the guru of Canine Massage for all show and pet dogs alike who are stressed, tense and in need of some relaxation before they face the judge’s scrutiny or they head back to the potato couch at home.

 

Prior to writing this article I had been watching Jocelyn’s therapy tent at many dog shows for some months and observed a steadily growing the stream of show dogs and owners entering her treatment tent  so I decided to investigate further.

 

Jocelyn Barker of Top Dog Massage I found out is a fully trained and certified Canine Myofunctional Therapist WOW what is that I thought?  On further enquiry I was told that  it is very similar in nature to a Sports Remedial Massage Therapist like the therapists that top athletes and sportsmen use to enhance their performance before big events or for post event trauma remediation. I was a little shocked and didn’t realise that our canine friends had access to such highly specialized therapists.

 

I guess the steady stream of customers to her tent at all the shows that I have been to this past 6 months told me that she must be doing something good to help all of her canine clients else the stream would quickly reduce to a trickle.

 

Being inquisitive by nature I asked a friend with a large Weimaraner who I saw coming back from a visit to Jocelyn’s tent what she thought the benefits were for her dog and she listed off a whole load of reasons for her visit. Apparently the session helps to increase blood flow and removes toxins from the dog’s circulatory system, promotes development of muscle tone and enhances flexibility. At this stage I saw one eye open and flicker and an ear prick up on my lounge lizard that was crated next to me, did I detect a little interest?

 

She further explained that during the treatment the dog’s muscles are manipulated to enhance flexibility, break down any adhesions that might affect movement and gait and as a result this helps to increase the dog’s ability to move more freely. My friend told me that she had worked quite deeply on her dog in the current session and that she had noticed the extra flexibility at the end of the treatment. By this stage my little guy in the crate was snoring his head off again with noticeable disinterest; any movement other than a little tail wagging when a tasty morsel is offered is about all the exercise he is interested in.

 

I could see that the Weimaraner with the woman had obviously had an operation close to her left side upper arm and her owner stated that a series of massage sessions had been particularly helpful in being able to return her dog’s free movement after the operation. Obviously the area was very tender in the post operative period of and her dog was taking some time to return to her proper movement and gait. Apparently Jocelyn had assessed this and in consultation with the dogs vet was able to work on the dog and significantly reduce the time the dog took to recover and begin to move freely again.

 

By this stage I was fascinated and decided to ‘google’ Massage Therapy for Dogs when I returned home later that night.  I quickly learned that “ The Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments, Joints and Facia ( tissue that covers and separates muscles) all work together, and in their optimum condition, provide for movement with harmony ( gees isn’t that what we are all looking for?)  Could a massage at the show help this? I pondered!

 

By this stage I was interested and convinced myself that I would at least try this ‘New Kid on the Block’ when next she was a one of our Hillsborough shows. Two weeks later we had a show, and she was present so I booked my dog in for a Myofunctional Therapy Treatment.

 

I found the session fascinating as Jocelyn carefully documented my dogs history, made a thorough assessment of his structure. She then began working carefully and thoroughly and if the look on my dogs face was any indication he seemed to love the attention and hands on treatment.

 

Within half an hour of the treatment we were in the ring and I must say he moved like a gem, seemed relaxed and free of any tension and to my surprise the judge awarded him Junior in Group and made a complimentary remark about his lovely fluid movement.

 

From then on we have been converts and every two weeks or so my canine buddy gets his regular massage. What I didn’t know at the time was that Jocelyn can also give a pretty mean stress relieving massage to dog owners as well so if your dog doesn’t win and you are feeling the stress of it all she can release the aweful tension in those tight shoulder muscles.

 

 I have been showing dogs now for over 30 years and I must say it is wonderful to see new and dedicated people like Jocelyn Barker taking time out to help our canine show pooches, as more and more people start moving to natural remedies I’m sure she will continue to thrive and provide a valuable service for wonderful Show Dogs.

 

The petshop Boyz are excited to have Jocelyn working in our store, if your dog is in need of treatment please call our store on 02 49600708 for further information or to book a treatment.