Ash & Oak Canine Massage

Ash & Oak Canine Massage Ash & Oak Canine Massage provides in-home canine massage therapy and canine fitness/conditioning services in the Greater St. Louis area Louis area.

Alyson Snelling, NCCMT, CCFT, CPCFT, RP
Owner
After spending 20+ years in advertising as an Art Director, Alyson Snelling went after her life-long dream of working with animals. In 2015, Alyson gained her certification in Canine Massage Therapy, Pet CPR and First Aid through the Chicago School of Canine Massage (now Canis Bodyworks), followed by her National Certification through NBCAAM. She partn

ered with Canis Bodyworks in 2018 as Director of Marketing & Design and Lead Instructor, bringing canine massage and bodywork education to the St. Alyson obtained her CCFT certification through the University of Tennessee in 2020, and secondary CPCFT for Professional Canine Fitness Training in 2024. Alyson is an attuned Animal and Human Reiki Practitioner, Fear Free™ certified, and has been involved with several local rescue groups as both a foster parent and volunteer. She is dedicated to continuing to build her knowledge of canine massage, holistic modalities, animal behavior and communication. Her goal as a Canine Massage Therapist is to provide comfort and healing to those in need, and educate parents on helping maintain a healthy lifestyle for their pets. Additionally, Alyson provides canine massage therapy and conditioning/fitness at Back On Track Veterinary Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in O’Fallon, MO. Elisha Edge, NCCMT, CSCC
Elisha is a dedicated Canine Massage Therapist with a passion for enhancing the quality of life of dogs. She obtained her certification for Canine Massage Therapy through Canis Bodyworks, followed by her national certification through NBCAAM in 2022. Elisha gained valuable experience in 2023 working in the field of both veterinary clinic and in-home settings, along with providing massage to local and out-of-state agility events. She is committed to building her knowledge and skills through continued education, with a devoted focus to palliative/hospice and end of life care. Elena Friedman, MS, ATC, CSCS, NCCMT
Since 1996, Elena has worked in a variety of settings within Athletic Training and Sports Medicine, with her most recent focus in the endurance athlete and industrial athlete. Over the years, she has become very involved and passionate about canine health and animal advocacy as a volunteer for The Feral Companion and APA Olivette/St. Louis County Animal Care and Control. Her various volunteer roles include foster, dog walker, reunion advocate, dog promotions and digital marketing (i.e. IG ). In the interest of combining both passions, Elena gained her certification in Canine Massage Therapy through Canis Bodyworks in 2022, followed by her National Certification through NBCAAM. Additionally, she is Fear Free certified, and an American Heart Association first aid and CPR instructor.

Parker: Do you ever feel like you’re being watched? 👀
04/27/2025

Parker: Do you ever feel like you’re being watched? 👀

🤓 Did you know that just like humans, dogs thrive with structured exercise and conditioning? Foundational conditioning i...
04/18/2025

🤓 Did you know that just like humans, dogs thrive with structured exercise and conditioning? Foundational conditioning isn’t just for athletes. It's the secret sauce to keeping your dog strong, agile, and injury-free for life!

Here’s why it matters:
✅ Prevents Injury
Strengthening muscles and improving balance helps protect joints and reduces the risk of injury.

✅ Enhances Performance
Whether your dog is an athlete or a couch potato, conditioning tailors exercises to their needs, boosting agility and endurance.

✅ Supports Aging
Foundational work now means better mobility later. Targeted movements keep senior dogs active and pain-free.

✨ New to conditioning? Start small!
Try short sessions of paw lifts, balance work, or cavaletti rails, and always keep it fun! Your dog’s body will thank you.
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🏆 Try This Pro-Approved Starter Exercise:
Foot Targeting –
(demo: https://youtu.be/uvmAkQ2ApJQ?si=pOexDLweCiYHfBIq )
Place a mat or low book on the ground for the target. Encourage your dog to place their front feet on the object (use treats or a toy if needed). Mark the successful behavior with "yes!" or a clicker and reward. Toss a treat off to the side any time you need to reset.
💡 Extra challenge: switch to rear feet!

This simple activity builds body awareness and strength, and is one of the main foundational activities to build from!
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🏋️‍♂️ Let us help your pup start their fitness journey!
Reach out to us:
📧 [email protected]
💬 314-896-0979

We had so much fun last weekend! Thanks to all the demo dogs who helped out! 🩷
04/16/2025

We had so much fun last weekend! Thanks to all the demo dogs who helped out! 🩷

Molly was a frequent flyer in the demo dog group for my Canis Bodyworks workshops. She always came in with a huge smile ...
04/15/2025

Molly was a frequent flyer in the demo dog group for my Canis Bodyworks workshops. She always came in with a huge smile and quickly started in on sharing her stories with a hearty "Rrrrwooo wooo!" While she loved to be an instigator to her brother Tank, she was sweet as pie to my students and provided so many amazing opportunities for them to practice their techniques and learn with her.

I also had the honor of seeing Molly for private massage sessions to help keep her mobility as balanced as we could. She'd overcome an older CCL repair, but began to have some slow downs and limitations over time from age. Most recently, cancer had set in and made her mobility more of a challenge. The trooper that she always was, Molly persevered as if she were still a spry pup. She recently made the trip over the Rainbow Bridge when her legs could not longer keep up. I hope you're enjoying long strides and mountains of treat offerings in the big sky now. Run free, beautiful girl! 💖🌈🐾

SPOT FILLED - THANK YOU!___________________________🚨 Demo dog needed TOMORROW 4/13 - 10am spot open Must be good with ha...
04/13/2025

SPOT FILLED - THANK YOU!
___________________________

🚨 Demo dog needed TOMORROW 4/13 - 10am spot open

Must be good with hands-on touch from people.

Comment or DM if interested! 🩷

When you finally get to see your massage therapist after a very long trip in the PNW. 😍
04/10/2025

When you finally get to see your massage therapist after a very long trip in the PNW. 😍

04/08/2025

For the parents who always worry about their dog moving too much during our sessions - it’s normal. 😊

Marketing has created this idea of massage being a chill spa environment with cucumber eye mask and new agey music in the background. While the quiet environment is a must, and the soft music helpful, the dog sets most of the pace for the session.

As the therapist, I follow the dog’s cues and do what I can to encourage a calm mindset. I don’t force them into a position or make them stay in my space. Instead, I provide gentle guidance as they move in and out on their comfort level. This is important to help them understand I’m always listening to them and will adapt as needed.

Our sessions are meant to be relaxing, and with a sense of safety. In a perfect world, the dog will walk in and fall right asleep on the mat. But that rarely happens. It’s OK If the dog spends the session in a stand, sit, down, or wiggle - we can still have an impactful outcome without all the fancy spa routine. We’ll just leave the cucumbers for snacking. 🩷

04/08/2025

April is National Canine Fitness Month! Today, let's talk about
🐾 Muscles & Motion: Why Fitness Matters 🐾

Ever wonder how exercise actually helps your dog’s body? Let’s consider the importance of movement:

🦵 Hind legs – Powerhouse for running/jumping

💪 Rear legs – Stabilizes the body, crucial for pulling the dog forward

🦴 Core muscles – A strong core = better balance and fewer injuries

🍪 There's no cookie-cutter way to set up a conditioning routine. Considering the individual dog – areas of focus, along with the appropriate skill level – we can create an engaging routine for you and your dog to work on together to keep them strong!

❤️‍🩹 When there's an imbalance in the body due to injury or inactivity, we can choose exercises that will strengthen weaker muscles.

🐕 For active dogs, we can focus on exercises that isolate the muscle groups frequently used in the chosen sport to stay strong.

📌 Stay tuned all month for more tips, clips, and info about canine fitness!

Have questions? Reach out to us:
📧 [email protected]
💬 314-896-0979

SPOTS FILLED - THANK YOU!_______________________________🚨🚨 DEMO DOGS NEEDED NEXT WEEKEND 4/12-4/13 🚨🚨I'm teaching the Ca...
04/05/2025

SPOTS FILLED - THANK YOU!
_______________________________

🚨🚨 DEMO DOGS NEEDED NEXT WEEKEND 4/12-4/13 🚨🚨
I'm teaching the Canine Massage Fundamentals workshop for Canis Bodyworks students next weekend and will need demo dogs in the afternoon on SAT & SUN. Class is held at The Academy of Pet Careers in St. Charles.

‼️ WHAT I NEED: (Dogs of all ages/breeds/size welcome)
small dogs, big dogs, old dogs, young dogs - doesn't matter! Multiple dogs welcome (1 owner at a time)!

🐕 My students will be practicing basic massage skills and how to interact with new dog clients, so preferably dogs that are good with hands-on touch from people. It’s ok if they are a little shy or energetic at first, too.

⏰ TIMES NEEDED (1/2 hr slots for 1 dog, 1 hr slots for multi):

Demo sessions are free! 😍

🗣️ Comment below or DM me if interested/have questions.

I started visiting with Edie & Cooper in 2022 to help with pain and mobility management, as they were starting to slow d...
04/04/2025

I started visiting with Edie & Cooper in 2022 to help with pain and mobility management, as they were starting to slow down due to changes with age. Even though they were in their senior years, they both always met me with great enthusiasm (especially Edie) at each visit. I'd like to secretly think it was because they were excited to see me, but I know it was really from anticipation of the beloved snuffle mat with treats. Over the years, they didn't always hear the doorbell when I arrived, and mom often had to carry them in and out, but their enthusiasm remained strong each time they realized the treat lady was there to visit.

In our last few sessions, it was clear Edie & Cooper's bodies were struggling to keep up with routine. Not an uncommon thing when you reach the ripe age of 15(+). But the harder part of this situation was that they were going through it at the same time. This was definitely one of the more difficult goodbyes, but the silver lining is they traveled that bridge together. I hope you're both romping at full strength again in the largest snuffle mat filled with endless treats. Run free, beautiful babies! 💖🌈🐾

🏋️‍♀️🐾 April is National Canine Fitness Month! 🐾🏋️‍♀️🧐 Did you know exercise isn’t just for working breeds? Every dog, f...
04/02/2025

🏋️‍♀️🐾 April is National Canine Fitness Month! 🐾🏋️‍♀️

🧐 Did you know exercise isn’t just for working breeds? Every dog, from sporty Border Collies to couch potato Bulldogs, benefits from movement!

Here’s just a few reasons why fitness matters:
✅ Weight Management –
Keeps obesity and its risks at bay.
✅ Joint Health –
Strengthens muscles & reduces onset of arthritis.
✅ Mental Stimulation –
Enrichment for the mind is just as important as for the body.
✅ Bonding Boost –
Shared activity = stronger connection between you and your dog!

Whether your pup is an active athlete or sedentary senior, an appropriate fitness plan can be tailored to their needs to keep them engaged both mentally and physically.

📌 Stay tuned all month for more tips, clips, and info about canine fitness!

Have questions? Reach out to us:
📧 [email protected]
💬 314-896-0979

Now and always. 💙🩷🤍
04/01/2025

Now and always. 💙🩷🤍

So much fun last weekend helping my students learn how to begin a trusting relationship with dogs through communication....
03/19/2025

So much fun last weekend helping my students learn how to begin a trusting relationship with dogs through communication. 🩷

Our dogs have a tendency to take on our emotions. In Honey’s case, mom is quite anxious. So Honey can also be very anxio...
03/13/2025

Our dogs have a tendency to take on our emotions. In Honey’s case, mom is quite anxious. So Honey can also be very anxious and stressed in her surroundings. When I first visited with Honey, her mom was concerned I wasn’t going to be able to work on her due to her behavior. Much to mom’s surprise, Honey and I had a fantastic first session with plenty of interaction and butt wiggles (they nicknamed her Shakira for a reason…). I was able to talk mom through the work we were doing, explaining the benefits and impact both physical and emotional. By the end of our visit, Honey’s mom was practically in tears over how well the session went and how calm Honey was with me. Happy mom, happy dog. These are the kind of visits that make this work so rewarding. 🥰

SPOTS FILLED - THANK YOU!_____________________________🚨🚨 DEMO DOGS NEEDED THIS WEEKEND 3/15-3/16 🚨🚨I'm teaching the Trus...
03/10/2025

SPOTS FILLED - THANK YOU!
_____________________________

🚨🚨 DEMO DOGS NEEDED THIS WEEKEND 3/15-3/16 🚨🚨

I'm teaching the Trust & Relationship Building workshop for Canis Bodyworks students THIS weekend and will need demo dogs in the afternoon on SAT & SUN. Class is held at The Academy of Pet Careers in St. Charles.

‼️ WHAT I NEED: small dogs, big dogs, old dogs, young dogs - doesn't matter! Multiple dogs welcome (1 owner at a time)!

⏰TIMES NEEDED (1/2 hr - 45 min slots for 1 dog, 1 hr slots for multi):
Sat 3/15 -
Sun 3/16 -

🦮 This class focuses on trust building, understanding canine communication, and gaining confidence to interact with the dog so the students can learn how to be comfortable with initial interactions with new/unfamiliar dogs. We will not be diving into massage techniques just yet. SHY DOGS WELCOME!!

Demo sessions are free! 😍

🗣️ Comment below or shoot me a DM if interested/have questions.

Rosie sure knows how to lay it on thick at the end of our session. 🥹🩷
03/06/2025

Rosie sure knows how to lay it on thick at the end of our session. 🥹🩷

✨Join me for the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) Animal Bodywork Virtual Confe...
02/28/2025

✨Join me for the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) Animal Bodywork Virtual Conference and find out from myself and over 12 expert speakers and sponsors how you can grow your animal bodywork business!!

🗓 Live - March 14 & 15, 2025

🎯 FREE to attend

💻 100% virtual! No travel and no expenses!

Register and log in to soak up all the information and encouragement you need, and have some fun while you do it. 💓

➡️ Follow this link to register for a FREE event ticket:
https://animalbodywork.heysummit.com/?sc=WZFTMuye&ac=dhLIGFdM



*This post includes affiliate links, meaning I may receive a commission from any purchases through them.

Happy ! Who are you celebrating today? 🩷🐾
02/21/2025

Happy !
Who are you celebrating today? 🩷🐾

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St. Louis, MO

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(314) 896-0979

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