Heart Hound Small Animal Massage & Acupressure

Laura Riley, Ph.D., CMT

Having a lifelong love of animals has lead me to my dream job of providing therapeutic massage to dogs and cats. Previously, I was a Psychology Professor and worked in the Technology Industry, but always drawn to helping animals.

Yeager was my heart dog (that special dog that becomes your soulmate) and the inspiration for “Heart Hound Massage”. Yeager had a heart of gold and for years gave back by being a therapy dog and provided comfort to the sick and to at risk students in a reading program. For many years, Holistic healing methods helped Yeager’s elbow dysplasia, giving him a better quality of life, and enabled him to bring joy to others well into his senior years. In honor of Yeager's memory, I would like to dedicate my abilities to help other amazing dogs live a longer quality life to spend with their owners by providing therapeutic massage and Acupressure.

Training:

NBCAAM Certified Canine Acupressure Practitioner - Training from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute
Certified Canine Massage Therapist (CMT) -
Advanced Canine Massage Therapist (ACMT)
Senior Canine Massage Therapist (SCMT) - All three massage certifications & education from Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage (RMSAAM)
Advanced Canine Massage & Trigger Point Massage (Training from Ken Bain)
Tui Na Massage Training
T-Touch Training
Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage (RMSAAM) are accredited by International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork(IAAMB) and National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM)
Owner and Instructor, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure USA

Why Massage & Acupressure

There are several benefits of Canine Massage and Acupressure :

· Reduces muscle discomfort and stiffness

· Increases energy, concentration and altertness

· Helps animals learn to relax, reduces stress and anxiety

· Promotes circulation

· Helps immune system functioning

· Provides better well being of your pet by slowing degenerative processes

Puppies to senior dogs can benefit from massage and acupressure. Canine athletes, service dogs, and working and hunting dogs also receive great benefits from massage and acupressure. I look forward to helping your special dog feel better and perform at their best.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/canine-massage-acupressure-and-ttouch/

How It Works...

This is a mobile service and I come to your home for pet therapy, where your dog is most comfortable. I'm also available for Massage Workshops for multiple attendees.

COVID-19 Policy

Hearthound Massage is closely monitoring the COVID-19 rates and changes. Our goal is to maintain the safety of owners, animals, and practitioners.

For massage and acupressure sessions, we will follow these guidelines:

We will have massage and acupressure sessions in outside, or in ventilated spaces. If the weather doesn’t allow outside sessions, we will reschedule at no cost to the client.
Through the entire hands-on training, owner and practitioner will wear a mask. We will sanitize hands before and after working with your pet.
If you feel unwell the day of the massage session, we ask that you to reschedule the massage. The Practitioner will also cancel if he/she feels unwell the day of the appointment.
If you have been recently exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID (within 2 weeks of the massage), we ask that you postpone until the next time we offer the class.

Please contact us at laura@hearthoundmassage.com with any questions

Research on COVID-19 in Animals & Transmission to Animals

Service Rates

Massage plus Optional BEMER Session

Single session rates listed below. A travel fee will be charged for distances 20 miles beyond the 34684 area code.

Single Session Massage

$45

During the 1st session, we will discuss your pet's health history, massage and acupressure goals and conduct the first massage( lasts about 90 min). and following sessions last about 60 minutes. BEMER Therapy (Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field mat) is optional and complimentary therapy with massage, and aids blood microcirculation. Your pet can decide whether or not to lay on the BEMER mat.

Package of 3 Sessions Plus BEMER

$120

Includes 3 regular massage/acupressure sessions or 1 initial session and 2 regular sessions. BEMER session is optional, and complimentary with your service.

Birthday Baskets

$55

Give your pet the ultimate pampering for his/her special day! Your birthday basket includes a therapeutic massage/acupressure session, complimentary BEMER session, and basket of goodies (toy and treats).

Types of Acupressure & Massage

Trigger Point Massage / Sport Massage

Trigger Points are nodules located in muscles that can interfere with normal muscle function. All dogs benefit from Trigger Point massage, active sporting dogs can receive additional performance benefits. Trigger points can cause discomfort and releasing these points can help the muscle to relax and relieve discomfort https://shearerpethealth.com/trigger-point-therapy-for-pets/

Senior Canine Massage

The use of massage techniques to assist senior dog's who often are arthritic to help relieve muscle tension and discomfort, help immune system functioning and improve circulation (https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/massage-arthritic-dogs)

Small Animal Therapeutic Massage

Full body massages that are good for your dog or cat by promoting circulation and releasing tension in muscles to help with discomfort. Massage can also help with emotional well being (relaxation, help with reducing anxiety). https://www.caninejournal.com/benefits-of-dog-massage-therapy

Small Animal Acupressure

Stimulating acupoints can benefit animals with allergies, weakened immune system, arthritis and many other areas. Acupressure can be integrated with massage in one session. https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/blog/can-animals-benefit-from-acupressure

What is Bemer Therapy?

The circulation of our blood is the engine that keeps us going. BEMER aids your body in trying to heal itself by increasing blood flow, specifically microcirculation. The heart pumps blood through the main arteries, which sends blood flow to micro-vessels. it is these very small vessels that reach the most remote parts of our body.

Your pet BEMER is designed to improve circulation thereby support the body’s natural self-regulating processes. (Cited from Life.Bemergroup.com)

I have tried the BEMER on myself and by using it daily, in a matter of months, my persistent shoulder and knee discomfort went away, and feel more energetic and younger. My own dogs are also big fans of the BEMER and have daily sessions.

How Do I incorporate BEMER sessions into Massage?

BEMER therapy is extremely safe and doesn’t cause discomfort, and only takes 8 minutes. We lay out the BEMER mat and your pet makes decision whether to lay on the mat, and how long (maximum is 8 minutes). I always allow them the choice. I usually put out the BEMER mat at the beginning or end of massage.

BEMER compliments massage by aiding your body in its self-healing process. In a session, your pet can get the benefits of acupressure, massage and BEMER.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will my pet feel during BEMER sessions?

Your pet may feel nothing or little tingling, but there’s no discomfort and it’s like laying on a bed. Although every pet acts differently, I find that most pets relax and you sometimes have to wake them up to get them off the mat.

What type of pet issues will be helped by BEMER?

Dr. John Simon, DVM, has been using BEMER on himself, family, and clients and impressed by the results. See his explanation of the benefits of BEMER Therapy. https://www.doc4pets.com/bemer-device/

What are some ‘contraindications’ or situations which my dog or cat shouldn’t use the BEMER?

Dogs and cats who are currently undergoing chemotherapy should not use the BEMER. Owners who have undergone organ/bone marrow transplantation or have pacemakers should not assist their pets on the mat as this can change the function of their medications and devices. There is no risk to the owners once the session is complete, though, so they should not hesitate to bring their pets for treatments https://www.chamisavet.com/bemer-therapy.html

If my pet is on medications, can they have BEMER Sessions? Every cat and dog is different in how they will respond to the BEMER and their medications. You should talk with your veterinarian about your pet's medications as the BEMER applications progress and discuss together dosages and frequency of medications. If your animal is undergoing Chemotherapy, he/she should not have BEMER Therapy because it can change how the anti-cancer drugs work in the body. Once the chemotherapy is complete, BEMER may help improve recovery time

To date, no dangerous side effects have been detected with short or long-term application. https://www.chamisavet.com/bemer-therapy.html