Bell Canine Clinical Massage

25/08/2025

This is beautiful Flicka. She’s a remarkably sprightly 16 year old who injured herself whilst running, causing her to go lame!
Yesterday I had the pleasure of treating this lovely lady. She relaxed into the massage and gently ‘chatted’ to me throughout letting me know exactly what she wanted.
She you next week beautiful girl! 🐾

23/07/2025

An open letter in response to the The Kennel Club UK Guidance on dogs who wear Yellow document relating to management of dogs at Kennel Club events.

To our wonderful community,

You may have seen the recent guidance from the Kennel Club regarding dogs attending licensed events who are anxious, reactive, or wear visible indicators — like yellow leads, or harnesses, to signal they need space.

As the founder of My Anxious Dog and the creator of the national awareness day campaign, I felt compelled to share my thoughts — not only as an advocate but as someone who lives with and loves an anxious dog every single day.

Bella, my cocker spaniel, wears yellow because she needs space. Not because she’s dangerous.
Not because I’m trying to shift responsibility.
But because I want to keep her safe and happy.
It’s a visual and respectful way of saying “please don’t rush us.”

The Kennel Club suggests that dogs like Bella may not be suitable for events if they wear this equipment.
But I ask — gently and honestly:

When someone wears a sunflower lanyard to indicate a hidden disability, do we tell them they shouldn’t go shopping, travel, or take part in events?

When a child has autism or ADHD, do we say they’re not allowed to join in, to be seen, to enjoy things — just because the world can sometimes feel overwhelming?

Of course we don’t.

We offer kindness.
We make space.
We adapt and support — because inclusion matters.
Because understanding matters.

So why is it different for our dogs?

Anxiety doesn’t make a dog unworthy of joy, of socialisation, of safe participation.
It’s part of a responsible training plan.
It’s prevention, not an excuse.

Many dogs who wear yellow can and do attend events safely — when organisers offer space, thoughtful layouts, and a little bit of empathy.
I’ve seen it work.
I’ve lived it.
I’ve spoken to hundreds of owners who finally feel seen, thanks to this simple colour.

We’d love to see the The Kennel Club UK and the wider dog community — embrace awareness, not fear.
To choose education over exclusion.
To recognise that dogs in yellow are still dogs.
They still deserve to experience life, with care, with boundaries, and with compassion.

Because awareness isn’t a loophole. It’s a lifeline.
And no one — person or dog — should be shut out for needing a little extra space.

With kindness and hope,
Sarah

09/07/2025

Natalie’s comments on the risks of allowing poorly trained ‘therapists’ to treat dogs are a must read for anyone seeking massage therapy for their dog!

I can honestly say training with Natalie and her highly skilled team, was tough (and very enjoyable!) and it is meant to be that way because there is a lot of essential physiology and anatomy every therapist should legally be required to know before they massage a dog!

As the Director of the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, Founder of the Canine Massage Guild and author of the 2 year Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme as well as a specialist in this field for almost 20 years, I feel compelled to speak out about a growing concern in the industry.

The rise of quick massage courses, often delivered entirely online, is not just watering down standards, it’s putting dogs at risk as well as compromising the vulnerability of owners who are trying to do the right thing for their dog.

Many of the individuals teaching these courses have no real background in massage therapy themselves. Some offer certificates after just a few hours or days of theory, with no hands-on supervision, no case studies, and no assessments of clinical competency. Yet graduates are encouraged to call themselves "canine massage therapists" and can as its an unprotected title.

This means that:
• There are people working on dogs with no real understanding of anatomy, pathology, or safe techniques
• Students are being let loose on vulnerable dogs and owners without ever having been supervised in training or technique competency
• Owners are trusting their beloved dogs to therapists whose only experience may be watching a video
I’ve even come across individuals advertising massage services after just half a day of training or doing a day or 2 days training as part of another course.

This is not just disappointing, it’s dangerous and I am personally disgusted at the fraudsters who deliver these courses and at those who go on to call themselves therapists and dupe owners into thinking they are providing a real service.

At the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, our course takes over two years to complete, with extensive practical training, tutor supervision, and real casework. We also provide online theory lectures, student support sessions and tutorials online and these in no way are a substitute for the real work that happens in the classroom We work to ensure that our graduates that go on to become Canine Massage Guild members are skilled, safe, and accountable because we believe that dogs deserve nothing less.
As a professional, I am deeply distressed at what is happening in this unregulated space, and I believe that dog owners deserve transparency, not marketing fluff from so called ‘therapists’ who can’t recognise or assess for a muscular issue let alone treat one despite their fraudulent claims.

It should be about this point that most would expect I say sorry for this. I’m not sorry. If anything I think its about time I start speaking more about this. I can only be responsible for the therapists I and my team train but at the least its time to start making owners and other canine professionals and vets aware that not all massage courses and therapists have the same training.

I always say I’m a dog owner/guardian first and a professional second, so to all the dog owners out there I urge you to check your therapists credentials, ask how long they trained for, who with and in what disciplines, ask to see their certificate of pass and importantly ask to see their insurance. Don’t just jump in with the first person who says they are a therapist because it may be they are about to take your money and put your dog at risk.
People are now jumping on the canine massage bandwagon, students and so called trainers alike because they think it’s a fast and quick buck. Its not. Its hard work that comes with it a vast amount of responsibility to the dogs, owners, vets and other paraprofessionals we work with and from the side of a trainer, to the students we teach who’s lives we influence.

Time to start calling it out.

Find a real therapist who has trained with in person supervision, taken written and practical exams, has insurance and commits to CPD training by going to visit the Canine Massage Guild professional register.

07/07/2025

A fellow therapist just shared this and it captured my attention because it explains how an ill fitting harness can cause issues for dogs!

This is a repost(ish) but well worth repeating. Many of you have heard me harp on harness fit time and again. Having spent decades evaluating harness fit in working dogs of all types with thermal imaging (as well as having years of working and active dog experience combined with a strong biomechanics knowledge base) using front-clipping or "Gentle Leader" type harnesses only guarantee more structural stress in active dogs that makes for more work for me and other chiro/sports med colleagues. PLEASE only use harnesses that fit with proper ergonomics! [NOTE: I've tweaked the English & syntax in the added-on description below so it might read a little differently.]

"All dog owners should know this fact! A harness like this is a terrible injustice to your pet!! AVOID USING THIS TYPE OF HARNESS !

In a dog's forward movement, a harness with a tape that crosses its chest from side to side hinders it in the same way humans would bother going hiking with an elastic band holding their arms. Physiological movement of the front extremity is prohibited. Just like rubber would inhibit the pendular movement of our ARMS.

Thanks to the "Study of Canine Movement at the University of Jena", we now know that in the dog, the center of rotation of the front limb is at the top of the scapula, but in the human the center of rotation in the arm is in the shoulder (head of the humerus). Jena's study demonstrates, among other things, the importance of scapular movement for dog locomotion. Now we understand the importance of taking into account the free movement of the dog's shoulder when choosing a chest harness.
That means there SHOULDN'T be bands across the scapular (orange) area, and they shouldn't cross the chest side to side either.

From the point of view of biomechanics and physiotherapy, it is recommended not to choose getting harnesses that have a strap that goes through the chest laterally, or that have straps that touch or press the scapula.

Always lean towards harness models with ERGONOMIC design, to allow maximum freedom of movement for your dog, improve his well-being and safety during his walk.
Source : REAL CEPPA"

29/06/2025

This morning, I had the pleasure of treating the very handsome Finlay!

After enjoying a bit too much fun on holiday, poor Fin was feeling quite stiff in his hind legs—even sitting down during walks, which is so unlike him!

Despite it having been a little while since I last saw him, Fin settled in beautifully and was more than ready for me to work on his sore spots.

Moments like these remind me why I love what I do!

08/06/2025

08/06/2025

What a fantastic day yesterday at DogFest ! 🐾
I had an amazing time offering free muscular health checks to so many gorgeous dogs at the Canine Massage Guild stand!

It was heartwarming to meet so many dedicated owners who care deeply about their dogs’ current and long-term wellbeing. 💛

I loved meeting all the dogs and sharing advice on how to keep them feeling their best! 🐶

22/09/2024

Just had a fab day at DogFest, working on the Canine Massage Guild’s stand offering muscular health checks for dogs! I got to see loads of gorgeous dogs, lovely owners and got to work with the wonderful guild team!