Newsletter Articles

I first became interested in learning canine massage therapy after seeing how much it helped my own dogs.

I’m fortunate to work at a veterinary clinic that has offered this service in the past through a couple of different practitioners. When I hit a small lull in my dog-training role at the clinic, I started to wonder if canine massage therapy might be my next step. Not long after, I learned about the NBCAAM certification and began researching schools. Shout-out to Canis Bodyworks for their amazing program! I’m not one to wait around, so I dove head-first into learning this new skill and completed both my coursework and certification within a year of

deciding to pursue it.

With my certification in hand, I launched my own business, Calming Canine Connections, where I focus on both massage therapy and training to support dogs physically and mentally.I’m incredibly lucky that the veterinary clinic I work for promotes these services to our clients

and provides me the space to use my skills.

I currently work with a handful of clients and especially love working with senior dogs. I’ve been at the same clinic for just over 10 years, so many of the puppies I met early on are now seniors. It brings me so much joy to continue supporting them in their older years, just as I did when they were in puppy classes. Pain is such a largely contributing factor for senior pets and why there can be so many behavior changes with them as they grow older. There is so much we can do for our senior companions to bring relief, improve mobility, and help them stay active. I love learning and strive to continue expanding my skills to benefit my clients in every way possible. I’m finishing up Lisa Ruthing’s Art & Science of Nerves course, which has been an incredible opportunity to grow my skills & knowledge. Since behavior is also a major focus for me, I’m enrolling in a cooperative care certification course to learn new techniques that help dogs feel more comfortable during sessions. This will be especially valuable for dogs who struggle with physical touch or staying still, as it will allow me to build deeper trust and provide a more positive experience for them.