fur.therapy

25/06/2026

Remember the post where I became Orson’s chair? 😂❤️

Well… this is what happened next.

After his massage, this gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dog decided that Mum’s lap was exactly where he belonged. No hesitation. No concept of personal space. Just over 50 kilos of love leaning into his favourite human.

These are the moments that remind me massage is about so much more than muscles.

When a dog’s body softens, their nervous system settles too. They often become more affectionate, more connected, and more present with the people they trust most. Watching that unfold is one of the greatest privileges of my job.

It’s also why every session includes teaching. I don’t just treat your dog and send you on your way—I show you simple, individualised techniques that are tailored to your dog’s body, personality and needs.

Because healing doesn’t stop when I walk out the door.

Those few minutes of intentional touch at home can help maintain the benefits of treatment, strengthen the bond you share, and give your dog another way to feel safe, understood and cared for.

Orson and his hoomum have such a beautiful connection, and seeing him completely melt into her after his session says everything.

Although… I don’t think either of them got the memo that “lap dog” usually means something a little smaller than 50+ kilos. 🥹❤️🐾

08/06/2026

A few months ago, Molly’s quality of life was very different.

She was struggling with significant mobility issues, was uncomfortable, and everyday activities had become increasingly difficult. Her caregivers were faced with some difficult conversations as they tried to navigate the best path forward for her.

But they never gave up.

They continued searching for answers, sought further veterinary advice, and remained committed to helping Molly live the best life possible.

Once her cruciate injury was identified, a management plan could be put in place. Surgery was not considered the best option for Molly, so her treatment has focused on a conservative, multimodal approach tailored specifically to her needs.

Today, she is a different dog.

She’s brighter, happier, more comfortable, moving with greater confidence, and recently greeted me with enough enthusiasm that she was even attempting a little jump.

Molly’s journey is a beautiful example of what can happen when everyone works together.

Her caregivers have been incredibly dedicated, her veterinary team has guided her ongoing management, and I’ve been privileged to support her through therapeutic bodywork to help maintain comfort, mobility, muscle function, and address the compensatory patterns that develop when a dog is protecting an injured limb.

No single treatment has created this change.

It’s been the combination of appropriate veterinary care, bodywork, home management, and a family who never stopped advocating for their dog.

And perhaps most importantly, Molly reminds us that age alone should never be the reason we stop looking for ways to improve a dog’s quality of life.

Growing older doesn’t mean there are no options left. It doesn’t mean we stop listening, stop investigating, or stop supporting them.

Sometimes the goal isn’t perfection.

Sometimes the goal is helping a dog feel comfortable, confident, and able to enjoy life again.

Looking at Molly today, it’s hard not to feel hopeful about what’s possible when the right support team comes together. ❤️

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

🚨 OFFICIAL COMPLAINT FROM LEO 🚨

Dear everyone,

My massage therapist had the audacity to arrive at the exact time she said she would, so naturally I had to stand at the window and scream-sing the song of my people to ensure the entire neighbourhood knew she was here.

When that wasn’t enough, I greeted her with several high-speed greyhound zoomies around the house. This is a very important part of the treatment process. Science probably.

After thoroughly expressing my excitement, I remembered I am actually a professional relaxation expert. So I marched straight onto my massage mat, melted into a puddle of greyhound, flipped into my signature roach position, and allowed the massage to commence.

The result? Maximum relaxation. Zero regrets. 10/10 would scream at the window again.

On a more serious note, my regular massage sessions help keep me comfortable, support my mobility, and make it easier to spot little changes before they become bigger problems.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have important napping responsibilities to attend to. 💤

Love,
Leo 🐾

(Pictured: me pretending I wasn’t causing absolute chaos five minutes earlier.)

06/06/2026

Alita has very specific payment requirements for her massage sessions… 🍌🥰

After today’s treatment, she happily tucked into her favourite banana reward while making the cutest little sounds. Honestly, I think she was trying to convince me she deserved a second one! 😆

Massage isn’t just about muscles—it’s about creating positive experiences and helping dogs feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed throughout the process. For Alita, that means some gentle bodywork, plenty of consent and choice, and a well-earned banana afterwards.

Judging by those happy little banana noises, I’d say today’s session was a success. 💛🐾

Does anyone else’s dog have a favourite post-adventure or post-treatment snack?

24/03/2026

Maxi 💛
This beautiful girl is a tripod, and honestly… she’s incredible.

After losing her hind limb as a puppy, Maxi has grown into a strong, active, beach-loving dog who absolutely makes the most of life. But like many tripod dogs, her body works a lot harder behind the scenes.

Over time, that extra load can show up as:
• Tightness through the back and hips
• Increased strain on the remaining hind limb
• Compensatory patterns through the shoulders and front end

This is where therapeutic massage becomes so valuable.

Since starting her sessions, we’ve been working on:
• Releasing deep compensatory tension
• Supporting her remaining hind limb
• Improving mobility through her back and hips
• Helping her body move more comfortably and efficiently

And the best part?

She is doing SO well.

She’s moving more freely, settling beautifully into sessions, and (my favourite part) completely melting into the work — often falling asleep halfway through 💤

Her parents have also been amazing, continuing her home care in between sessions, which is making a real difference to her progress.

This is what canine massage is really about:
Not just relaxation… but supporting the body through real, everyday demands — especially in dogs who are working a little harder than most.

Maxi, you’re an absolute superstar ✨

⸻

04/03/2026

I recently had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful Labrador for his first therapeutic massage session, following a referral from his veterinary team to help support his comfort and mobility.

Tippy came in to support movement through the hip flexors and lower back. When we take the time to observe a dog’s movement closely, we can often notice subtle changes in stride length, flexibility, or posture that may indicate areas of muscular tension or compensation.

During his session we focused on gently releasing tension through the lumbar muscles, hip flexors and hamstrings, while also improving soft tissue mobility through the thoracic region. These areas play an important role in how dogs generate power through their hind limbs and maintain balanced, comfortable movement.

One of the things I love about therapeutic canine massage is that it doesn’t have to wait until a dog is injured or struggling. It can also be a proactive way to support healthy movement, reduce muscular tension, and help dogs stay comfortable in their bodies as they move through life.

Tippy settled beautifully into the session and allowed me to work calmly and methodically while remaining relaxed and engaged. His family were also shown some gentle techniques they can use between visits to help maintain his comfort at home.

I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses over the coming sessions.

Welcome to the FurTherapy family, sweet Tippy 💛

Have you ever noticed subtle changes in your dog’s movement or stride?

13/02/2026

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing dogs truly relax — not just physically, but emotionally too.

After this session, their lovely pet parent shared:

“Thanks so much for the session last night, we learned so much from you! The girls slept like babies afterwards. We’re especially glad BaoBao finally managed to wind down before bed instead of getting all hyped up.”

Therapeutic canine massage supports the muscles, joints, and nervous system — helping dogs release tension, settle more easily, and feel comfortable in their bodies.

If your dog struggles to relax, carries tension, or needs extra support as they age, this work can make a meaningful difference.

📍 Mobile sessions across Auckland
📩 Message me to book or ask questions

20/01/2026

💛 “Massage” vs. Massage Therapy — What Every Dog Parent Should Know

I love seeing how many people want to support their dogs’ comfort, mobility, and wellbeing.
That intention matters — and your dog absolutely feels it. 💛

But here’s something important to understand:

Massage therapy is not the same as simply rubbing or petting your dog.

Therapeutic canine massage works directly with your dog’s soft tissue, nervous system, joints, and movement patterns — and when done incorrectly, it can unintentionally cause discomfort, inflammation, or even injury.

Where things can go wrong:

• Applying pressure in the wrong areas
• Working over inflamed or injured tissue
• Missing subtle signs of pain or stress
• Stimulating tissue that actually needs rest
• Masking pain instead of addressing the cause

Dogs are incredibly stoic. Many will tolerate discomfort quietly — especially when it comes from someone they love.

Why professional training matters

Becoming a canine massage therapist involves:
• Detailed anatomy & physiology
• Understanding pathology and contraindications
• Learning to read canine body language in real time
• Knowing when not to work on tissue
• Adapting techniques to each individual dog

Massage therapy is clinical, intentional, and highly individual — it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.

The good news?

You can support your dog at home — when you’re taught how.

I teach pet parents safe, appropriate techniques tailored specifically to their dog, so they can confidently support comfort and mobility between professional sessions — without risk.

✨ The safest, most loving thing you can do for your dog is:
✔️ Learn from a qualified professional
✔️ Understand your dog’s unique needs
✔️ Combine at-home care with professional therapy

👉 Book a professional session to learn how to support your dog safely and effectively.
Your dog deserves informed, intentional care — not guesswork.

31/12/2025

🎄✨ Meri Kirihimete & Happy New Year ✨🎄

To all my wonderful clients and their dogs — thank you for trusting me with your dogs’ care this year. It’s been a full, meaningful year of listening hands, quiet moments, progress wins, and supporting dogs exactly where they are.

You may have noticed I’ve been a little quieter online lately — not because I’ve stopped working (quite the opposite!), but because the past few weeks have been incredibly busy hands-on with dogs who needed extra support. When things get intense, I choose to put my energy where it matters most: being fully present in sessions, respecting client privacy, and giving each dog my complete attention rather than pulling out my phone 📵🐾

Over the last few days, I’ve also taken a short pause to spend time with my family — getting outside, adventuring, and soaking up some much-needed downtime with my own little tripod, Lilibet 🐶💛
(If you know, you know — she keeps me grounded and reminds me why this work matters.)

✨ Looking ahead to the New Year ✨
January is one of the best times to start or recommit to therapeutic massage — especially for:
• senior dogs
• dogs recovering from injury or surgery
• dogs with arthritis or chronic tension
• anxious or sensitive dogs who benefit from nervous system support

I’ll be opening new booking spaces for the New Year, and if you’ve been thinking about supporting your dog’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life in 2026, now is the perfect time to get started.

Thank you again for being part of this community. Wishing you and your dogs a peaceful holiday season and a New Year filled with comfort, movement, and connection 🐾✨

📩 Bookings & enquiries are now open for January