Workshops

Essex Rivers Clinical Canine Massage > Workshops

I am a delighted to be one of a few Licensed Workshop Instructors for the Canine Massage Therapy Centre.

I am able to deliver two fantastic workshops to the public, in person workshops will be held at the fabulous Bicknacre Memorial Hall. The hall is located next to Priory Fields, there is 39 acres of beautiful green space to walk your dog and plenty of parking next to the hall. Please check the events page for workshop dates.

Bicknacre Memorial Hall

Bicknacre Road, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, CM3 4ES

If you are not able to attend a workshop, or if your dog would be unable to cope with a workshop setting then online workshops will be available from 2024. The workshop will run for the same amount of time but be split over 2 days.

I am also able to travel for private bookings if you already have a venue organised (please note a minimum of 10 attendees is required).

Beginners Guide to Canine Massage

This workshop is suitable for:

  • Pet Dogs
    · Dogs with Arthritis/Hip Dysplasia
    · Active younger dogs
    · Senior or ageing dogs
    · Dogs who are slowing down
    · Agility or Sporting/Working Dogs
    · Dogs who have stopped doing things they once did e.g.: get on/off sofa, in/out of car
    · Owners who are looking to enable a better quality of life
    · People interested in natural or complimentary healthcare
    · Dog Trainers
    · Behaviourists
    · Dog lovers and those passionate about the health and longevity of our dogs
  • Professionals for Continuing Professional Development (please note that the workshop does not allow you to practice with the publics dogs. This is a self-interest workshop only. If you are interested in training as a therapist the full Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme can be found here.

You will learn the science behind how and why massage works as well as the positive physiological (body) and psychological (mind) effects it has on a dog.

Tutorial 1 – Canine Anatomy Fundamentals

  • How To Locate Bony Landmarks and Why It’s Important Before Starting Any Massage Routine
    · How to Locate Your Dogs Main Muscle Groups – You’ll be working with your own dog to do this!
    · How to Spot Subtle Signs of Muscular Injury in Your Dog

Tutorial 2 Swedish Massage Practice

  • Learn a Massive 9 Techniques from the Discipline of Swedish Massage for your dog
    · Learn & Practice Passive Range of Movement Safely and in Alignment – a strong yet gentle technique to improve mobility in your dog’s joints and muscles

Tutorial 3 Guided Routine and time for self-guided practice.

I will be demonstrating, and then guiding you as you apply the knowledge from the day to give your dog a Full Body 40 Swedish Massage Routine, here is also time allocated for self-guided practice.

Pre & Post Event Massage for the Sporting Dog

Learn how Pre and Post Event Massage helps to enhance and prolong your dog’s sporting life and how it helps to reduce the likelihood of injury. The science behind massage and its applications in sport. This workshop is suitable for:

  • Agility
    ·Working Dogs
    ·Obedience
    ·Flyball
    · Heelwork to Music
    ·Assistance Dogs
    ·Sled Dogs
    ·People with active dogs
    ·Dog Trainers/Agility Trainers (please note this workshop does not permit you to teach canine massage or perform it on anyone’s dog. This is a self-interest workshop only. If you are interested in training as a therapist the full Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme can be found here.

Tutorial 1 – Canine Anatomy Fundamentals

  • How Pre and Post Event Massage helps to enhance and prolong your dog’s sporting life. The science behind massage and its applications in sport.
    · How to Locate Bony Landmarks and Why It’s Important Before Starting Any Massage Routine
    · How to Locate Your Dogs Main Muscle Groups You’ll be working with your own dog to do this!
    · How to Spot Subtle Signs of Muscular Injury in Your Dog
    · How to Spot Signs of Performance Injury so you can catch an issue before it becomes a problem.

Tutorial 2 – Applied Massage

  • 9 Massage Techniques we show you how to massage correctly and confidently by applying a set number of techniques that work on different fibre directions and layers of muscle to improve their ability to lengthen and contract.

Tutorial 3 – The Pre & Post Event Massage Routine Practice ….and an added bonus…

  • The Pre Event Canine Massage – Learn How to Apply a 5-10 minute Full Body Pre Event Massage to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury
    · The Post Event or Cool Down Massage – Learn How to Apply a 5-10 Minute Full Body Post Event Massage
    · Maintain and Gain at Home:  Learn how to mix up your massage techniques from earlier in the day with this little added bonus, a relaxation inducing massage beneficial for the body and the mind.

As a matter of Best Practice we ensure that each and every dog attending one of our workshops has a full body palpation. This is a muscular health check for your dog that can flag up areas of muscular issue and pain, or joint concerns, that may mean a certain type of technique or passive range of motion may not be suitable for them. This way we can ensure that each dog is given the appropriate massage techniques for that individual. The Muscular Health Check is offered to your dog as a free service and does not incur any extra charges.