Lower, lower, a little to the right ...

Yeah. Ahhhh, right there!

Everybody loves a good back scratch or massage. And animals are no exception.

More and more dogs, cats, and horses are being treated to massages these days. People are seeking out alternative therapies for themselves more frequently and they are using the same treatments on their animals.

Animal massage is being used to pamper pets, relieve their aches and pains, as part of animal rehabilitation, and to ease tensions in dying animals.

The benefits of an animal massage are similar to the benefits humans reap -- improved mood, relaxed muscles, better blood flow to the tissues, reduced blood pressure and lower heart rate. Occasionally massage can help alleviate behavior problems as well; nervous, anxious pets become calmer.

In working or competing dogs and horses, massage can improve performance, and warms up the muscles before a workout, making injury less likely. Animals have a better quality of life and may live longer if they are massaged regularly, according to massage therapist Martha Jordan, of The Healthy Touch For Animals in Everett, Wash.

Animal massage has a large following and seems to be most popular in the horse world. In the last three years it has really taken off, according to Coreen Kelly, owner and instructor at the Western Montana School of Equine Massage in Hamilton.

"I think there's an awareness that's occuring," Ms. Kelly said. "People are realizing the horse is more than a beast of burden." Massage, she added, is a way of honoring the whole horse.

In fact, Ms. Kelly, who has been a human massage therapist for eight years, first started massaging horses when her own was dying. She used the therapy to help her horse feel more at ease in its last days.

Horses of any age, breed and discipline -- even horses that are not in work -- can benefit from massage. The style of massage used varies, depending on which muscles are most developed, she explained.

But equines aren't the only animals privy to this relaxing touch. Ms. Jordan has worked on birds, cats and wildlife, and the majority of her customers are of the canine persuasion.

Older dogs get massages to relax stiff legs and soothe sore muscles; working and athletic dogs become more flexible and less prone to injury due to the treatments; and puppies may emerge from the massage table better socialized and more comfortable being handled.

Pet owners have many styles of massage to choose from. Dogs can be given the canine version of a Swedish massage -- the goal of which is just to pamper and relax recipients. If they are injured, pets can receive rehabilitative body work.

Ms. Jordan often gets referrals from veterinarians to help pets recovering from surgeries. Indeed, more pet owners are asking their veterinarians about massage, said Michael Halloway of Pet Massage Rehabilitation, in Boca Raton, Fla. He has found that although not all veterinarians are open to the idea, many do think massage could help the animals. Some will send their patients to him when they can't figure out the exact cause of the animals' pain. Mr. Halloway, who specializes in canines, can do a range of motion massage to help determine the source of pain.

He also uses massage as the first step in rehabilitating injured and post-surgical dogs. Dogs that come in often suffer from hip dysplasia, pinched nerves, muscle and tendon injuries, or gait problems. Mr. Halloway works with the pet's veterinarian to establish a treatment plan. He usually massages the animal for a few days to get the body loosened up before starting swim therapy, stair climbing or other rehabilitative exercises.

Not all dogs take to the massaging right away, he explained. If the owners are apprehensive they can pick up on the tension. Also, massage is a different kind of touch and something most pets aren't used to, Ms. Jordan added.

Sometimes she only massages a dog for five minutes before it has had enough. Her own border collie was pretty active and didn't warm up to longer massages (typically therapists work on an animal for 30 to 45 minutes) until he'd been through 15 sessions. So sometimes animals take several sessions to mellow out and appreciate the massages. But after a few sessions, most pets are hooked. Usually they are hesitant in the beginning, until they figure out, "ah, this feels great!"

While humans can tell masseurs exactly where it hurts and where they want those healing hands, with animals, the massage therapist's job is not so easy -- was that one woof for left, two for right?

Still, the well-trained therapists just know where a dog, cat or horse wants to be massaged. Their hands seem magnetically drawn to the sore spots.

It's just a skill they've developed. Ms. Jordan finds sore spots by feeling for where the heat is coming from and listening to the pet's body language. Mr. Halloway starts at the neck and shoulders and then travels down the trunk of the body to the legs to pinpoint the exact location of the dog's pain.

"The body doesn't lie," he said.

Ms. Kelly, who is legally blind, said she can see with her hands.

It's a special talent, but it can be taught. Many pet owners who want to give massages to their pets learn from licensed therapists. Several of the students who take Ms. Kelly's intensive week-long horse massage class are interested in setting up their own business. But many come to spend 12-hour days practicing the techniques on different breeds, just so they will be able to massage their own animals properly.

"I try to instill in them the ability to see through touch," Ms. Kelly said.

Ms. Jordan includes all pet owners in her sessions with their pets and demonstrates different strokes they can use on the dogs between sessions. Learning to do massage can be a bonding experience.

"It deepens your relationship with your dog," she explained. Owners have to slow down and watch to see what the pet wants. Body language will hold most of the clues, she said. "When you pay attention you get there faster."

For instance, she finds dogs don't really enjoy being scratched -- it can over stimulate the nervous system. But rubbing in a circular motion seems to be more soothing and pleasing. Observe the dogs' eyes to see if they are enjoying your touches, she suggested.

One of the easiest methods for pet owners to practice at home, is what Ms. Jordan calls the "weekly evaluation massage." This is an all-encompassing massage and inspection that lets owners check their pets for anything unusual, like new bumps or warm spots.

Weekly evaluations put owners more in-tune with their pets' bodies so they will discover when anything is amiss and if needed, can get medical attention right away.

Owners may miss other clues that their pet is in pain such as the dog not jumping on furniture as often, playing less, or sitting down on walks, Mr. Halloway said. But the hands-on nature of massage means a heightened awareness of how the pet is feeling.

"You're going to notice any problem that comes up very quickly," Ms. Jordan explained.

For more information:

Massaging the Pain Away

Rehabilitation Therapy for Pets

New Rehab Center Helps Get Dogs Back on Their Feet

If you are interested in learning more about pet massage, check with your local humane society to see if it offers classes. Institutions such as, Western Montana School of Equine Massage, may also offer beginner classes.

Ms. Jordan recommends "Dog Massage", and "Cat Massage" by MaryJean Ballner.

*Article courtesy of VetCentric.com
Originally published October 26, 2007
Written by: Christina Mehra, Staff Writer
For more information on this article, please visit http://www.vetcentric.com