A helping hand 
for every dog
Balanced Paws Canine
Massage
Now offering Healing Touch for Animals®
Ann Tarvin
317-701-4329
Plainfield, IN 46168
balancedpaws{at}yahoo.com
Member: International Association of
Animal Massage and Bodywork
What is dog massage?
Dog massage includes
a variety of techniques — some centuries old and others
quite new. It has been used to calm show dogs, to
relieve pain in working dogs, and to increase energy and
focus in agility dogs. Now it is available to improve
the quality of your pet’s life.
Each dog massage is different; it depends on the
dog’s needs that day. Once dogs become familiar with
massage, they are eager to begin each session and they
relax quickly and deeply. Often a dog will “ask” for
particular work by moving his body under the hands.
Massage is part of a complete wellness program
for your dog. A massage will relax muscles, invigorate
circulation, and stimulate key acupressure points.
Massage does not substitute for veterinary care, but
complements it. Regular massage can often bring
important changes in your pet’s condition to your
attention so that medical advice can be sought before
the problem becomes advanced.
Who needs a massage?
Puppies & Young Dogs
- Helps them accept handling by vets, groomers, etc.
- Improves socialization
- Increases trust of humans
- Eases tension of new growth stages
Adult Dogs
- Maintains optimum wellness
- Slows developing problems of old age
- Detects early changes that may signal injury or
disease
Elderly Dogs
- Helps maintain mobility
- Stimulates circulation
- Reduces pain
Why do dogs need massage?
Massage is not petting. Massage is
focused, intentional, and deliberate touch to balance,
soothe, and energize. A trained practitioner’s hands
become sensing devices that interact with the dog to
improve the dog’s overall health and quality of life.
Our lives today are very different from our
ancestors’ lives; our dogs’ lives have changed greatly,
too. Years ago, dogs often labored at specific jobs like
herding or pulling carts. Otherwise, they roamed widely
each day, chasing small animals and scavenging for food.
They got plenty of outdoor air and exercise, but their
lives were very short and harsh.
Dogs today live in much better conditions,
but they are often bored and underexercised. Massage can
relax tension while also stimulating both mind and body.
It is especially helpful as our animals’ life spans
lengthen. Our world has changed — and our pets’ needs
have changed with it.
Some benefits of dog
massage:
- Comforts tired muscles & relieves pain
- Increases circulation
- Strengthens body by stimulating muscles
- Maintains & restores flexibility
- Increases dog’s self-esteem & lessens behavioral
issues
- Enhances body awareness
- Gains acceptance of touch, especially to paws
- Increases caretaker’s awareness of changes in animal
- Empowers owners to work with & help their pets
- Enhances bonding & relationship with humans
- Gives back to dogs something they can’t do for
themselves
About Balanced Paws:
Ann Tarvin learned her dog
massage skills from canine massage pioneer Jonathan
Rudinger at the PetMassage Training and Research
Institute in Toledo, Ohio. She holds Practitioner and
Instructor Level Certificates in Dog Massage and also a
Certificate in WaterWork for dogs. She is a member of
the International Association of Animal Massage and
Bodywork. Away from the massage table, she sometimes
makes homemade treats for her three dogs. Ann says what
she likes best is to make dogs happy.
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Coming soon!
Class: Introduction to Dog Massage
Due to the
COVID-19 situation, this class is cancelled. A new
class will be scheduled later.
All of the events that normally appear here have been
cancelled as well. Everyone please take care of each
other and we will see you when we are able.
"Canine Massage" (PDF)
Ann also offers:
A helping hand
for every person
Certified:
National Certification
Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Member:
Associated Bodywork &
Massage Professionals
Selected Photos
(click to see the full-size image)
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