Canine Nurture

01/09/2026

There are many different reasons as to why dog owners reach out to me for a treatment and they all fit into the following categories;

For some dogs, it might be part of supporting repair and restoration after an injury.

For others, it's about supporting the body through the healing and remodelling process as they recover and adapt.

It can also be about maintenance helping a dog maintain the movement and function they already have, particularly as they get older or continue to be active.

But I think we sometimes forget that massage doesn't always have to be about fixing something.
Sometimes it just feels nice. It can help a dog relax, settle a busy or stressful mind and give them some quiet one-on-one time.

Massage isn't just about treating a problem, it can be about repair, recovery, maintenance or simply helping a dog feel good 🥰

28/08/2026

Look at that smooshie face 😍
Adorable Gunner during his massage and definitely the vibe I'm looking for this weekend, relaxing in the beautiful sunshine.
Happy Friday 🌞🌞

21/08/2026

I just love seeing your dog stretch. Firstly, it gives me a really good look at where their range of movement is at. Can they stretch through the front and the rear? Do they stretch one more than the other? Is there a difference between the left and right sides? And secondly, it just looks so satisfying!

During a treatment I will use a treat to lure your dog into different positions, encouraging them to create what we call a voluntary or active stretches.
By asking your dog to create the movement themselves, I can see what their body is actually comfortable and capable of doing. I can watch how easily they bend through their neck and spine, whether they can reach towards both shoulders and hips, how far they naturally choose to go and whether they find one direction more difficult than another.

It can also show me how they achieve the movement. Are they actually bending through their spine or moving their feet and whole body around instead? Do they shift their weight away from one limb? Does one movement look smooth while another looks awkward or restricted?
All of that gives me useful information about where there may be stiffness, weakness, discomfort or compensation.

But active stretching isn't just an assessment tool. While your dog is following that treat, muscles are actively working to create the movement while others are gently lengthening. So we are encouraging mobility, flexibility, muscle activation and body awareness at the same time. And importantly, your dog remains in control of the stretch. I'm encouraging the movement rather than physically putting their body into a position. They decide how far they are comfortable going and that can tell me a lot too.

So while your dog may think they’re simply following a treat, I’m reading their movement while they’re stretching, moving and working on improving their mobility.

09/08/2026

Soft tissue injuries of the forelimbs are common and can involve the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. Even a seemingly small injury can have a significant impact on a dog's comfort and mobility. Repetitive strain, sudden changes in direction, jumping, slipping or overexertion can all lead to injury. Because dogs naturally compensate for discomfort, these injuries are often difficult to recognise until changes in movement become more obvious.

Unlike broken bones, soft tissue injuries are often hidden. They may develop gradually or occur after what appears to be a minor incident, making them easy to overlook. Signs can include a slight limp, a shortened stride, stiffness after exercise or reluctance to jump or play. Forelimb injuries can be particularly challenging because dogs carry around 60% of their body weight through their front end. Every step places load through the injured tissues, making it difficult to completely rest the limb and often prolonging recovery.

Without appropriate management, dogs will naturally compensate, which can place additional strain on other muscles and joints throughout the body. Early recognition, careful rehabilitation and patience give these injuries the best opportunity to heal while reducing the risk of long-term compensation and recurring problems.

08/08/2026

I will be doing free "learn how to massage your dog" group sessions, hope to see you there 💛

Something new is coming to Wangaratta!

The wonderful team of volunteers who have previously brought the Million Paws Walk to Wangaratta have created a brand-new event for our dog-loving community. Join us for the very first DOG DAY – a FREE community event celebrating the dogs that bring so much happiness, companionship and support to our everyday lives.

Our dogs quietly support us every day and play an important role in our mental wellbeing. Whether they get us outdoors, make us laugh after a hard day, sit quietly beside us when we need them most, or simply greet us with a wagging tail, dogs have an incredible way of making life better. DOG DAY is our way of celebrating them.

Bring your dog, your family and your friends for a fun morning featuring:
• Community dog walk
• Local dog businesses and services
• Health, training and nutrition advice
• Fun activities including Sniffaris, have-a-go agility and learning how to massage your dog
• Plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow dog lovers

Every dog has the ability to make someone's life a little brighter. Whether they support you in an official role or are simply your much-loved companion, bring them along and celebrate everything they do for you.

Sunday 20 September
9:00am – 1:00pm
Wangaratta Kennel Club

As the first event of its kind in Wangaratta, we'd love our community to get behind it and help make it something special.

Please register your attendance so we have an idea of numbers.

Entry is FREE!

03/08/2026

Patch is such a gentle cutie who loves his treatments. He settles beautifully, relaxes into his massage and leaves a little lighter thanks to the bonus deshed! 😆

27/07/2026

Every movement your dog makes relies on a strong, stable core.
The core is the foundation of the body. It stabilises the spine, supports the pelvis and controls movement, allowing the limbs to work efficiently.
When the core is weak, the limbs have to work harder to compensate. Over time, this can place extra strain on muscles and joints, contribute to poor movement patterns and increase the risk of injury.
That's why so many of the exercises I use focus on building core stability, whether for puppies, sporting dogs, seniors or dogs recovering from injury or surgery.

20/07/2026

Does your dog have a joint issue?
Have you considered using functional exercises to strengthen the muscles and surrounding soft tissues that support the joint?

Improving strength and stability around a joint can help reduce strain on that joint, lowering the likelihood of further injury, compensatory issues and supporting more comfortable movement.
The right exercises, performed with good posture and correct movement patterns, can make a big difference. Call Lindsay on 0457 394 835 if you would like to know more.

16/07/2026

Being overweight is one of the biggest factors that can shorten a dog's lifespan, but it's also one of the most preventable. Unlike many health conditions, we have a lot of control over our dogs' weight through the food we feed and how much they eat. For dogs whose mobility is compromised by injury, arthritis or other health conditions, managing weight can be more challenging as they may not be able to exercise as much. However, maintaining a healthy weight is often even more important in these cases. By making appropriate adjustments to their diet and finding safe, suitable forms of activity, we can still help keep excess weight off and reduce the strain on their joints and body.

13/07/2026

This is beautiful Eyelie, a young Basset Hound who absolutely loves performing her exercises but can be quite anxious and fidgety during her massage and laser treatment.

Eyelie's owner has worked with me to try different things to help her feel more comfortable and settled during her treatments, and this was the first time she fully relaxed and allowed me to work through her body while she completely switched off.

These little moments are so important. Building trust, working at the dog's pace and being willing to adapt can take time, but seeing Eyelie finally settle and enjoy her massage was just beautiful.