Information For Vets

Essex Rivers Clinical Canine Massage recognises the importance of having strong working relationships with Veterinary Surgeons and acknowledges and respects the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemptions Order 2015 by never treating a dog without gaining prior veterinary approval.

As a member of both the Canine Massage Guild and International Association of Animal Therapists, I work to Best Practice and will therefore only treat your client’s dog a maximum of three times initially. During this time the dog should respond to treatment. If after three treatments there has been no response I will refer the client back to you.

I have trained for two years with Natalie Lenton at The Canine Massage Therapy Centre and completed the 800 hour externally accredited (by LANTRA) Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme.

I have studied:

  1. Canine Anatomy and Physiology
  2. Origins, Insertions and Actions
  3. Swedish Massage
  4. Sports Massage
  5. Deep Tissue Massage
  6. Indirect and Direct Myofascial Release
  7. The Lenton Method
  8. Gait Analysis
  9. Advanced Palpation Skills
  10. Soft Tissue Injuries
  11. Orthopaedic Conditions
  12. Skin Problems
  13. The Lymphatic System
  14. The Cardiovascular System
  15. Neurological Disease
  16. Massage Theory and The Law
  17. Client Care and Clinician Skills

Every year I complete over 25 hours of Continuing Professional Development to ensure that my practice is safe and up to date.

I have undertaken additional training in:

  • Facilitated Stretching
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage, this is a highly specialised and gentle massage technique which encourages the natural drainage and flow of Lymph.
  • Ventral Aspect Techniques
  • Advanced Deep Tissue Massage
  • Neuromuscular Facilitation
  • Veterinary Osteoarthritis – Blue Paw Accreditation
  • Small Animal Rehabilitation

I am a licensed Canine Conditioning Academy Coach. I work on a 1 to 1 basis with clients using a combination of bespoke training and bodywork to achieve a desired goal. I see a lot of clients with poor core strength and muscular imbalances so have a particular interest in improving mobility and accident prevention.

In addition to running Essex Rivers Clinical Canine Massage, I am Clinical Trials Coordinator for the Canine Massage Guild. I have spent 3 years working with the University of Winchester on the first ever study into the efficacy of Clinical Canine Massage, specifically the Lenton Method® In June 2021 the research paper that I had the privilege of co-authoring was published in the Vet Record, distributed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA). https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.586

I have also written articles for Animal Therapy Magazine and Canine massage Guild blogs.

The Lenton Method® is a three pronged approach that encompasses Advanced Palpation Skills, Body Mapping and The Seven Protocols. The Seven Protocols are a unique set of Myofascial Release Techniques developed by Natalie Lenton that achieve fantastic long-lasting results. This is what really sets my training apart from standard canine massage. I use four disciplines of massage and over fifty techniques to get results in 1 to 3 sessions that owners will see and dogs will feel.

If you are a Vet and would like to see if Clinical Canine Massage is suitable for your patients, please follow this link for more information.

Integrated Veterinary Care Initiative Launched