The Benefits of Massage for Animals
By Lola Michelin
Animal massage can benefit all animals from companion pets such as cats and dogs to horses and livestock and even zoo animals. The benefits of massage for animals mirror those for people, including decreased stress and improved circulation.
For many, pet massage sounds like a luxury for pampered pets only. However, many canines receive massage to help recover from surgery or injury and athletes such as racehorses or agility dogs receive sport massage to improve performance. Service dogs and dogs used in police or military service have high stress jobs where massage can mean the difference between early retirement and more time on the job.
Many studies have been conducted to verify the benefits of massage. For instance, massage has been proven to lower blood pressure, increase appetite and reduce the perceived pain and discomfort of arthritis.
For those with aging dogs and cats, animal massage therapy provides one more tool in the management of age-related conditions and helps to improve the quality of their pet’s life. Pet health care has moved beyond the age of grocery-store dog food and once-a-year vaccinations. Today, pet health supplies include vitamins, specialty food and treats, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic and, yes, pet massage therapy.
The focus of animal massage for many years was horses, particularly racing and show horses. The benefit of massage for horses is well recognized among horse owners. Massage certification has been offered in equine massage therapy for years, but only recently has the focused turned toward pet massage certification. With literally billions of dollars flowing into the pet care industry and pets living longer and more active lives, pet massage therapy is now being offered at veterinarian clinics, grooming salons and doggie daycare establishments all over the country.
One of the benefits of massage for animals mentioned was improved circulation. Better circulation can contribute to improved digestion and better metabolism, a tremendous benefit for the large number of pets suffering from obesity and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, improved circulation can slow the degenerative process of arthritis and improve energy levels in geriatric pets. Better circulation means better immune function, helping to reduce the risk of infection or illness and assisting in the rapid recovery from injury or illness. Better blood flow also contributes to improve healing post-surgically.
Two of the most common conditions plaguing our dog population today are hip dysplasia and soft tissue injuries to the knee such as ACL tears (ruptures or strains of the anterior cruciate ligament in the stifle joint). Both are generally corrected by surgery and, particularly in the case of ACL tears, have a high rate of reoccurrence and post-surgical development of arthritis. Pet massage therapy can play a crucial role in optimal and rapid recovery from such surgeries and may play a role in reducing the risk of re-injury. Post-surgical confinement also causes boredom and restlessness for many animals and diminished the health of the immune system which is dependent on activity for optimal health. Animal massage can be used to reduce boredom, decrease stress and increase relaxation for dogs and cats during periods of confinement.
Equine massage therapy has a long history in the United States and abroad. For racehorses, massage can mean reduced recovery time between races and reduced incidence of injury due to improved flexibility of soft tissues. For investors, time off for recovery or lay-up due to injury is expensive and can reduce the career of a horse dramatically. In this case, the benefits of massage for animals is not only physical and psychological, it is also economical.
Even exotic species and wild animals have experienced benefits from animal massage therapy under the skilled hands of specialized animal massage therapists. The benefits of massage for animals in a zoological park fall under three categories: training, enrichment and health. Veterinarian staff can use massage to minimize the time that an exotic species spends in the hospital following surgery or illness, a critical element in the success of the animal’s return to the wild or onto exhibit. Specific massage techniques can be used to improve the production and movement of lymphatic fluid and assist in metabolism of anesthesia and related medications.
Animal trainers can use certain massage techniques as reinforcement for performed behaviors when food rewards are not safe or effective. Massage can improve nerve function and brain function as well, making training easier. Enrichment involves providing activities to captive animals that stimulate them physically and psychologically and improve their quality of life. Studies indicate that enrichment programs in zoological parks may contribute to the longevity of individual animals and may reduce safety concerns with animals that may become aggressive due to stress or boredom. Massage can be a valuable tool in enrichment programs for many species.
In closing, the benefits of massage for animals are as numerous and varied as those for people. In the last decade more and more people have added massage to their own health care regimen and seen tremendous benefit. Many of these same people have seen the power of massage add quality and time to the lives of their adored pets. Considering all that animals contribute to our lives through companionship, sport and service; a massage now and then serves as a powerful sign of gratitude.
About the author:
Lola Michelin is the owner of the Northwest School of Animal Massage. She has provided massage for a wide range of species including giraffe, primates, horses, dogs etc! She studied pre-veterinary medicine and genetics at Michigan State University and worked in zoological parks. She serves as the Official Guide to Pets on Selfgrowth.com. For more information, visit www.nwsam.com.
Book Review
Pets and Mental Health
By Odean Cusack
This fascinating new book addresses the most recent research and provocative findings on the use of pets in mental health therapy. The historical basis of using pets in therapy is reviewed, and numerous examples are provided of results incurred from prescribing pets to disabled, lonely, incarcerated, and institutionalized individuals. The author provides convincing evidence of the therapeutic value of animals in making us happier, healthier, and more sociable. Although the terms human-animal bond and pet-facilitated therapy are relative newcomers to the scientific literature, the concepts they encompass have been with us for centuries.
Research has shown that animals can promote humor, laughter, play, and a sense of importance in people. This fascinating book explores the provocative findings on the use of pets in mental health therapy. Although the terms human-animal bond and pet-facilitated therapy are relative newcomers to the scientific literature, the concepts they encompass have been with us for centuries. The historical basis of using pets in therapy is reviewed, and numerous examples show the astonishing results of prescribing pets to disabled, lonely, incarcerated, and institutionalized individuals.
Book Summary from www.amazon.com
_______________________________
Odean Cusack animal lover and writer, provides convincing evidence of the therapeutic value that animals have in making us happier, healthier, and more sociable.
Motivational Tips
How to stay Motivated In The Face Of A Mounting Work Load!
By Barry Share
Motivation is one of the main contributing factors towards success. The best skills, education and experience can amount to precious little in the absence of a sense of motivation towards your work.
Do you tend to lack motivation when it is essentially important to have it?
Do you feel that you would be very successful if only you had a bit of motivation and excitement for the job you are into?
So how do you keep yourself motivated?
Here are some mantras to help you.
- Pick Yourself Up
If you walk long enough, you are going to stumble. Accept this universal truth. The key to success is in getting up, dusting yourself off and carrying on. Never let faults and failures let you down and decrease your working capacity. Shrug it off and do not allow it ever to overcome you and fail you further by depression.
- Compete
Nothing spurs us on more than competition. Competition need not necessarily be against another individual. Every task can be looked upon as a competition - you have been assigned the task because you are perceived to be the best at it, or the most probable to succeed at it.
Fail and sure enough there will be someone waiting to take over the task and the mantle from you. Build up the spirit of competition in you. Your hard work in this society will give you nothing unless you compete against somebody and for something.
- Focus on the positives
Failures or bad days bring us down. Mulling about these failures for too long can seriously dent your motivation and ability to work. Leave your failures behind. Don't ignore them - analyze them and learn from them. But once that's done, shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life.
- Try something new
We love a challenge or an adventure. It is in our basic nature as humans. Every now and then take up something new and challenging. It will provide your mind with fresh fodder, and motivate you tremendously. You will find your energy level perk up and your general outlook towards your work will improve.
- Motivation is temporal
It's difficult to be motivated throughout your life since life is full of unexpected twists and turns. In many occasions you also suffer jeopardizing situations, which shake your very foundations. Understand them, learn from them and get back on the job. Staying motivated takes some effort, put in the work.
- Understand yourself
Everyone is unique and each one of us has our own quirks and handles. Understand what works for you and what doesn't. Keep in view things and objects which helps to motivate you as well as occurrences and people who de-motivate you.
- Be passionate
If you have to pick one consistent trait among people who have been successful at their chosen professions or pursuits, it will have to be passion. Passion is the main driving force behind every action you take. Passion for the job you are doing is paramount to keep you motivated for it.
- Talk yourself up
Ever wonder what coaches tell boxers between rounds? Boxing tips and techniques? Probably not. It is far more likely that the coach lifts the spirits of the boxer and motivates him with positive talk. Keep a check on your self-talk. Replace and monitor your negative thinking with positive solutions from your heart and think of feel good things that will help to enliven you and hence provide motivation.
Motivating yourself could be the easiest or the hardest thing to do. We've gone through some mantras that should help you find your motivating factor. Adapt these to your specific traits and situations. If you do, obstacles will just breeze past you and success will be within your grasp.
About the author:
Barry Share is the Founder and Editorial Director of "The New Lifestyle Program".
___________________________________
Search online for values in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
