Canine Therapy

Canine Massage Therapy with Claire Windust

Now Available at Friars Moor Vets – Shaftesbury

Claire Windust is a fully qualified and insured Clinical Canine Massage Therapist and is now offering canine therapy appointments at our Shaftesbury branch on a self-employed basis.

Claire runs her clinic, Dogs In Motion Therapy, from her home in North Dorset and now brings her expert services into our practice – offering convenient, compassionate care in a familiar environment.

Please note: that Claire will only provide her services with veterinary consent, not only is this a legal requirement but enables her to give the best possible care she can to your beloved best friend.

About Claire: “My name is Claire Windust, I run my clinic Dogs In Motion Therapy from home in North Dorset where I provide a professional, friendly, and fully insured Clinical Massage service for dogs.

​I have always had a great passion for animals in particular dogs and horses. Being surrounded by dogs throughout my life I am now currently owned by two mischievous Beagles!

I decided I wanted to become a Canine Massage Therapist, having witnessed first-hand the profound beneficial impacts that Clinical Massage had on my own dog’s rehabilitation after he sustained a muscular injury.

I have trained with Natalie Lenton’s Canine Massage Therapy Centre completing the Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Course, an intensive and comprehensive 2 year course, which encompasses in depth: anatomy and physiology, orthopaedic conditions, biomechanics and the effects of neurological conditions.

I am also registered and proud to be a member of the Canine Massage Guild, a professional body for Clinical Canine Massage Therapists that promotes high standards, safe practice, and ongoing professional development.

I work only with veterinary consent, not only is this a legal requirement but enables me to give the best possible care I can to your beloved best friend.”

What is Clinical Canine Massage Therapy?

Clinical Canine Massage Therapy addresses the canine body holistically through the skilled use of palpation, this hands-on therapy is non-invasive making it suitable for dogs of any breed and age, be that your beloved pet, agility, working, show, or sporting dog.

What are the uses for Clinical Canine Massage?

Canine massage is used to rehabilitate muscular injuries, it is also extremely beneficial in helping to support orthopaedic conditions like arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia that can often cause chronic pain.

Canine Massage can also contribute to proprioception awareness within some neurological conditions.

Canine Massage also effects the nervous system promoting psychological feelings of relaxation and well being, great for alleviating anxiety and stress in the nervous dog.

Canine Massage can be used for:

• Muscular injuries – Strain, Sprain
• Stiffness – when moving, more prominent upon rising from rest
• ​Limping, lameness
• Trigger Points – Hyper-irritable areas of focal point tension within the muscle’s fibres
• Myofascial Pain
• Orthopaedic conditions
• Some neurological conditions – IVDD Intervertebral Disc Disease, CDRM Chronic Radiculomyelopathy
• Anxiety, nervousness
• Reduced range of motion – ROM
• Slowing down on walks – Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Change in gait – The way in which your dog is moving has changed
• ​Pre-post surgical
• Muscle splinting
• ​Muscle spasms
• Hypertonicity – Hard muscles
• ​Muscular atrophy

What are the benefits of Clinical Canine Massage?

• Relieves sore and tight muscles – Promoting better mobility and suppleness.
• Frees up adhesions giving better range of motion and flexibility
• Addresses overcompensation
• Boosts circulation, taking fresh oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
• Boosts lymphatic drainage to rid the body of metabolic waste.
• Enhances performance rejuvenates weary muscles and joints.
• Psychologically promotes a sense of calm
• Promotes general well-being, shiny glossier coat, reduction in coat changes.
• Assists to ease chronic pain – associated with some orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis/osteoarthritis hip/elbow dysplasia
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces ischemia
• Breaks Pain cycles – Release tight fascia
• Releases trigger points
• Gives life back, enjoying walking, playing, normal activities can resume again
• Increases muscle strength
• Speeds recovery time from illness and injury
• Positive changes in behaviour – More willing to be petted, sociable with other dogs

Treatments

What To Expect

As a clinical Canine Massage Therapist Claire can only work with veterinary consent; this is a legal requirement and ensures that she has all relevant and up to date information regarding your dog’s medical history, this will allow her to work ethically with your dog in providing them with the best care possible.

Please click here to download the Veterinary Consent Form, complete and forward onto your veterinary Surgery.

Initial Consultation

This lasts around 90 minutes and will include:

Gait And Postural Analysis

This will allow Claire to observe how your dog moves through walk, trot, and canter and can assist in identifying areas in which your dog may be uncomfortable. Postural analysis allows her to observe how your dog distributes their weight.

Consultation Form

Claire will use this in building a better picture of what’s going on for your dog, it’s a great opportunity for you to tell her all about your dog, and their activities of daily living, their diet, exercise, and any changes you may have seen in them.

Palpation

Whilst your dog is standing or laying down, whichever they prefer and are comfortable Claire will palpate their superficial muscles, this gives her good indication as to where your dog is holding pain, discomfort, and dysfunction, identifying musculoskeletal issues such as strains, trigger points and areas of myofascial pain, this hands-on contact also allows your dog to become accustomed to her touch.

​Full Body Treatment

Massage treatment will be tailored to your dog’s specific needs and their situation. Just like us humans, our dogs are all individuals, what works for one may not work for the other, and on the day of treatment there are lots of factors in play for your dog to deal with, a new environment, new smells, new person, Claire will be touching them in places that they already have discomfort, and this can be stressful for them. For these reasons she will reassure your dog as much as possible throughout the treatment.

Post Treatment

Claire will then advise you of her findings using diagrammatic feedback, this can help to get a better understanding of what is going on for your dog. She will also provide you with aftercare information and advice this is to take home and will ensure that your dog gets the maximum benefit from their treatment.

Follow Up Treatments

This will last around 45-60 minutes, Claire normally suggests that your dog has 3 treatments over the course of 3 weeks to get the best results. If after the 3 sessions she feels your dog would benefit from further treatments and needs to continue with massage therapy she will advise. Her focus and aim is entirely results driven – For results you can see and your dog can feel.

​Maintenance Treatments

Following on from initial treatments maintenance sessions can help your dog in managing chronic pain which is often associated with orthopaedic conditions like arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia. A maintenance session is also a great way for keeping your dog in optimum health boosting their vitality and energy levels.

​​Areas Covered

Claire’s home service covers all local surrounding areas for those who are unable to attend clinic – please note a small charge for travel will be added.

​Cost Of Treatments

Initial consultation – £45.00

Massage Therapy – £40.00

For more information you can take a look at the Dogs In Motion website by following this link – https://www.dogsinmotion.uk/