Amy Henry has the pawfect job. As a canine massage therapist and founder of Heart Song Canine Massage Therapy, she does more than advocate for animal bodywork. She massages dogs and promotes the benefits of animal bodywork.
Julius Caesar Understood Canine Massage
Henry says, “there are those who see my job as glorified petting.” But, the historical figure, Julius Caesar, would not think so. Caesar, a military general in ancient Rome, understood his war dogs’ physical upkeep.
He had canine masseuse travel with him. If Caesar lived today, he’d raise an eyebrow at someone calling his masseuse’s job, “glorified petting,” considering he’s responsible for the origins of canine massage.
Hands-On Approach to Canine Massage
The assumption of “glorified petting,” doesn’t rub Henry the wrong way because her hands-on approach is animal bodywork. She explains, “The massage is focused. It’s deliberate touching, which leads to the healing of the dog. The stroke increases blood circulation of joints and organs. It also releases endorphins in the brain for stress reduction. Where dog petting is affectionate, but it lacks technique.”
For dog owners who believe a canine massage is just for people with money to burn or a waste of money, Henry’s practice and her prices are not catered toward the well-to-do. As a massage therapist for five years, she visits the homes of college students, teachers, small business owners, nurses, and artists,” just to name a few.
Henry doesn’t place cucumbers on the dog’s eyes—she keeps the refrigerated cucumbers for her next chef’s salad. But Henry did toss in an onion-of-a-story about a guide dog named Vivian. “She’s a yellow lab I massaged for five years. One time I was massaging Vivian, and I found a lump. After a trip to the veterinarian, her owner informed me the lump turned out to be cancer. Thankfully, the cancer was removed, and no further treatment was needed,” concludes Henry.
Like service dogs, non-working dogs need the same privilege of a canine massage. But the dog’s status can lead to a “pass” on the bodywork.
A Dog’s Life
Henry has massaged dogs weighing from 6 pounds to 150 pounds. Sadly, the puppies that make humans say “awe,” are the least likely to receive a canine massage. “Because there’s nothing wrong with them. However, puppies have energy. A massage would teach them to calm down.”
Going up in size and weight, large breeds (Bull Mastiffs, Rottweilers) like people, have growing pains. Increasing their muscle health, flexibility, and efficiency is helpful.
Rescue dogs are low on the totem pole for animal bodywork. While the generosity of dog donations is helpful to local shelters, Henry suggests a personal one-on-one gift for the dogs. “Contact the shelter and get approval for a massage therapist (the one you hire and pay) to visit the facility and provide a dog massage.”
Dogs Banned from the Bed
To the dog owners who don’t allow their four-legged ones to sleep in their resting place, Henry shares this joke.
“What did the dog say to his massage therapist?”
“Tell my people to buy me a ramp, so I don’t hurt myself again, as I jump off the bed that I’m not supposed to be on.” Laughter aside, it’s helpful for owners to know dog anatomy, especially the animal’s front legs and hind legs, where instabilities and afflictions occur.
A Living Memory
Owners should also perceive their dog’s heart song. Like Henry did with Hermie.
Tears invade Henry’s voice as she speaks of Hermie — an inherited terrier who was once a rescue dog, gifted from her sister who was relocating to Germany. “Hermie had the nicknames, ‘Herm, Bub.’ He loved car rides and he took care of his stuffed animal named Monk. Mom and I got so accustomed to him, that when we learned my sister was coming back to Colorado, mom told her, ‘If you’re thinking about taking Hermie back, stay in Germany,’’ Henry laughs. Hermie passed away in June 2016.
To deal with her grief, Henry decided to be a canine massage therapist. During a class break, a classmate gave her a poem and told her, “This is from Herm.”
The poem inspired Henry’s massage practice in memory of Hermie. Most importantly, the appreciation of Herm’s heart song, meaning, “his spirit, his energy” and all her dog clients.
