Pets "paws" and unwind with massage therapy

Sheila Wells' massage clients aren't chatty types. Instead, she's more likely to hear snores, groans of delight and purring. Wells' Wellsprings dog spa in West Seattle is one of a handful of local massage providers for pets in need of relief from muscle pain, stiffness, tension and anxiety.

Animal massage can be beneficial to a variety of local pets, including those who suffer from arthritis, who are recovering from an injury or who are preparing for agility events. And pet massage isn't anything like the head scratches and behind-the-ears rubs you usually give your pet.

"A lot of it is intention and how you are touching the animal," says Cheryl Gordon, marketing director for the Northwest School of Animal Massage in Redmond. "With petting, you're not focusing on what you're doing, not paying attention to what you're feeling under your hand."

In Washington, animal massage therapists are required to be registered veterinary technicians under the supervision of a veterinarian, a licensed massage practitioner with 100 hours of animal massage training, or -- for those who are not licensed -- 300 hours of animal massage training.

Dogs and horses account for the majority of animal massage clients in our area, but Gordon says massage can be performed on any animal -- from dogs, cats and rabbits to horses and other farm animals.

Massages at Wellsprings usually take place in a warm pool. Water sessions can include massage, swimming and playing, depending on the particular difficulties a dog is having. Wellsprings also offers massage sessions out of the water, which include keeping the pet warm and offering treats and a soft surface on which to relax.

"If the animal wants to get up and walk away, that is fine," says Wells, who has experience as a nurse, veterinary technician and human massage therapist. "Nothing is ever forced on the animal. If coaxing doesn't work to get them back for massage, the session is over. It is totally dictated at the animal's comfort level."

However, sticking around for the allotted time -- which usually runs from 30 minutes to an hour -- isn't a problem for many pet massage clients.

"Overall, massage has a very calming, soothing effect which is so palpable, animal owners often start to fall asleep as well," says Corinne Smith, who runs a house-call massage service, Seattle Pet Massage (206-399-8001). Her sessions are typically 45 minutes to an hour, but, like Wellstone, she heeds each animal's attention span and tolerance to touch.

"Some of my canine and feline patients even climb into their beds when they hear my car pull up, awaiting their treatment," says Smith, who also has veterinary technician and human massage experience.

Jennifer Streit of Hands to Paws Small Animal Massage also does house-call work. A licensed massage practitioner and Reiki master, Streit once practiced the spiritual therapy technique, in which therapists transfer healing energy through their hands, on a bird that had flown into a window at her home. "The next thing I knew, it was up and flying around," she says.

Streit says that along with providing increased mobility, ease of pain and added energy, regular animal massage can also alert owners to other health conditions, like swelling or bumps that the therapist can feel during a session that owners can then get checked by their veterinarian.

Along with Streit's personal practice, she also offers complimentary massages to pets at local events like the annual PAWS Walk and provides pet massage services for guests at the Sorrento Hotel.

Costs for massage appointments vary depending on the massage therapist, the type and size of pet and the length of the massage; however, rates locally range from $20 (for a feline massage) to $95 (for a pool massage session).

For owners who would like to learn some techniques to use on their pets, most therapists can generally work that into your pet's regular massage session. However, Streit and Smith both also offer dedicated animal massage classes for pet owners, and Smith is planning to offer a curriculum for licensed human massage therapists to obtain their animal massage endorsement next year.

The Northwest School of Animal Massage offers workshops for owners who want to learn the basics (the next one is planned for October), as well as programs for those who want to practice professional animal massage. The school's curriculum includes courses in maintenance, performance and rehabilitation massage for animals.

Gordon says the techniques are basically the same as those taught in human massage school: Swedish strokes, certain strokes for warming a tissue, others for stimulation. Similarly, the reasons behind massages for pets and people often run in the same vein.

"I mean, why do we get a massage?" Gordon says. "We've had a stressful week, have a few aches and pains and think, 'Maybe if I go in and do this it will help prevent things from coming up.' Massage helps the system regain ... balance."

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