Pet massage Louie, a Miniature Schnauzer, hopped up on the table, plopped on his back with paws extended upward in preparation for a relaxing massage. The pup was definitely accustomed to the luxurious treat of touch therapy.
A pat on the head is nice,
By Nancy Arcayna
but a back rub is a bigger
boost to your pet's well-being
Special to the Star-Bulletin"Louie is a regular," said Kim Mays, a licensed massage therapist who first learned to work on people and three years ago began extending her skills and knowledge of musculature to work on her Belgian Tervuren, Eva.
Mays found there was a demand for pet massage, which she regularly offers at Prosperity Corner in Kaimuki.
"Massage is not some silly thing that rich people do for their pets ... it's something you do on a daily basis to maintain a pet's health," said Mays.
"Most people are naturally drawn to stroke their animal's fur," said Mays. "But, I encourage them to start thinking about massage rather than just merely petting their animals. Our dogs and cats are alone for a good part of the day and need interaction.
"Massage is something that every pet owner should learn to use because it alleviates stress, promotes longevity and increases bonding. It's best for the pet owner to work on the animal so they do not need to let go and give their body to a total stranger. And with cats, its difficult to remove them from their territory," said Mays, who asserts anyone is capable of giving a good pet massage.Massage also opens up a new avenue of communication with animals, said Mays. "It's almost a spiritual connection. Some people have special pets in their lives like the dog who followed them around everywhere and seemed to know what they were thinking. When you start touching animals in a meaningful way, you can start picking up on emotions."
Scientists have long debated whether or not animals have emotions. From their standpoint, there is folly in anthromorphism, the tendency to assign human traits to animals. Yet to those who have pets or work with animals, there is no question that their animals express their happiness, sadness, boredom, fear.
Mays claims that there is definitely a link between people and animals. "An animal is often times brought into the family dynamic to meet the needs of humans. The pet may be a surrogate of some sort or a trusted companion. Pets are often times our healers."Animals have a wide spectrum of emotions as do human beings even though the world they experience is much different than ours. We should definitely be aware that animals are subject to stress. They tend to mimic, so they pick up tension easily. Pets that have tension build up in tissues may end up with imbalances and skeletal problems over time.
If an animal seems resistant to massage, start slowly to get the animal feeling comfortable, turn off the lights and make sure your breathing is relaxed because the animal will sense your tension. Tense owners normally have tense pets, she explained.
An animal may not be in the mood for a massage and Mays doesn't recommend forcing massage on pets. "It's all about listening to each individual animal. Every pet is unique and you need to be in tune as to whether they are enjoying it or not. Some dogs want to stand, others lie down," said Mays. A pet may move around a lot.
Animals will also provide visual clues. An animal is defensive when its head is up. Horses and dogs drop their heads when they are relaxed. A bird will fluff up its feathers.Before getting started, you must create an atmosphere of trust. For untamed birds, Mays suggests using a chopstick and allowing the animal to become comfortable as you getting closer. Once the stick is accepted, start using your hands.
According to Mays, massaging an animal's ears is important because it helps with circulation. Gums and teeth should be worked on because this also promotes wellness.
If there are two animals in a household, Mays tries to work with both at the same time to promote positive interaction.
According to Mays, many dogs like to get massages alongside their owners. They find a comfy spot on the massage table and snuggle next to them. Body work performed on owners and pets works well because animals pick up on stress and often mimic their owners.
Negative behaviors can also be modified with the use of massage. Non-verbal communication in a quiet setting can create a connection with the animal and amazing things can happen, said Mays. She's found that dogs massaged over a period of time became calmer. Others were alleviated of whining and separation anxiety when the owner leaves the home, said Mays.
"Dogs that bite are a hazard to the community. My belief is that there are really no bad dogs ... something has just happened to cause the dog to respond in this manner. Massage provides a means to address behavioral problems in a non-violent manner."
What: Massage for People and Pets Pleasant strokes
Where: Prosperity Corner, 3619 Waialae Ave.
Cost: $45 per session ($90 for a pet/owner combination)
Call: 732-8870 for an appointment
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