Four and a half years ago I bought two Border Collie puppies, one (Hughie) was the runt of the litter, half the size of his brother. After numerous health issues in the first few months he began to thrive and grow and catch up to his brother. At eight months old Hughie started to be let off the lead to run about on walks. This is when I started to notice he was getting very sore and yelping with pain after these runs. At eight months old he was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia. He was prescribed NSAIDs for pain and as anti-inflammatories but turned out to be NSAID intolerant. I investigated surgical options but all involved crate rest for weeks. Hughie had previously been diagnosed with hyperkinesis, the canine equivalent of ADHD, which basically meant long-term crate rest for him would have been torturous and probably have involved him hurting himself trying to get out. At a total impasse as how to help him, I started to research complimentary therapies. This is how I found the Canine Massage Therapy Centre. I attended a beginner's course and from then on I was hooked. Even using the basic techniques taught us on that day I could help him relax and switch off, help the muscles which were sore to return to normal more quickly and most importantly help my little lad feel happier and cope better with his problems.
I was fast approaching my 40th birthday and was seriously considering a career change, I just wasn’t sure to what. I really enjoy working with dogs and helping them where I can, so I applied for the Canine Massage Practitioner course run by the Canine Massage Therapy Centre and was amazed and really happy to be accepted on the course. After two years of studying under Natalie Lenton of the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, and more than 800 hours of study, practical sessions, practice and exams, I am now a fully qualified Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner.
