By: Susan Stokes
Cathy Sauer, massage therapist and owner of Chasing Dreams LLC, is seen here performing massage therapy on her canine patient.
Animal massage therapists develop and implement treatment plans using these same hands-on techniques based on the individual animal’s needs, and they may work in conjunction with veterinarians.
Cathy Sauer, owner of Chasing Dreams LLC based in New Jersey, is one such therapist. She is a member of the International Association of Animal Massage Therapists, an association whose member technicians are trained and operate under guidelines specifically designed to achieve the ultimate benefits of animal massage therapy.
Sauer grew up with a love for horses and animals in general. She was a horse trainer for many years working with junior riders. During the past 10 years, she bred Quarter Horses for Reining Cow, Working Cow and Cutting.
During Cathy’s competitive years with her animals, she noticed the wear and tear on their bodies similar to humans as we age and are subject to stress. She began to search for ways to help improve and maintain the health and well-being of her animals in addition to traditional veterinary medicine.
“I became a certified animal massage therapist because I found that massage for the pleasure horse or dog that does not compete has enhanced their lives in so many ways," said Sauer. "The benefits they reap are many, and massage therapy can help an older dog or horse with mobility issues as well as many other problems.”
Sauer has learned there are numerous health benefits achieved through animal massage including:
- Relaxation and stress reduction
- Increased flexibility of soft tissue
- Reduction of edema (swelling)
- Enhancement of waste and toxin elimination
- Maintenance of good posture and body balance
- Prevention of atrophy (wasting) in inactive muscles
- Improved athletic performance
- Loosening and softening of scar tissue
- Releases endorphins which are naturally occurring steroids in the body which act to assuage pain
- Enhanced muscle tone and range of motion
- Advances healing through increased flow of nutrients to injured muscles
- Lengthens connective tissue and reduces the formation of adhesions leading to fibrosis.
“All types of animals can benefit from this therapy,” continued Sauer. “It can help boost the immune system, aiding in allergies and the stress of this summer's heat wave.”
“Just be reminded that this is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for regular veterinary care,” cautions Sauer.
Stevenswood Spa Resort, Stevenswood.com, offers pet massage by our certified massage therapists, 707-969-7720.
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