Sporting & Performance Dogs
At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Therapies, I am dedicated to supporting the performance, health, and long-term wellbeing of sporting dogs. Whether your dog competes in agility, bikejor, canicross, flyball, gundog work, working trials, or other canine sports, my aim is to help them perform at their best while reducing the risk of injury and maintaining overall quality of life.
Integrated Care Plans for the Sporting Dog
Each canine athlete has unique needs depending on their sport, training schedule, and health status. We create personalised care plans to address those needs:-
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Comprehensive Assessment & Therapy
I provide musculoskeletal assessments, gait and posture analysis using video gait analysis, functional movement assessments, and targeted therapeutic treatments to optimise mobility, support recovery, and enhance performance.​
Treatment for the Sporting Dog
Optimising performance and maintaining long-term mobility is essential for every sporting dog. Through a combination of musculoskeletal therapy of osteopathic techniques, clinical maintenance massage, targeted passive range of motion techniques, and flexibility work, I help ensure your dog stays in peak condition throughout training and competition.
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Regular therapy sessions can provide significant benefits, including:
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Improved performance
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Reduced risk of muscle strain and joint stress preventing injuries
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Enhanced recovery between training sessions or competitions
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Early detection of compensatory movement patterns
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Support for ageing sporting dogs to extend their active career
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Warm up and Cool down exercises designed for your dog’s specific sport
Every treatment plan is individualised to your dog’s discipline, workload, age, and biomechanics, ensuring they remain strong, supple, and ready to perform at their best.
Common Injuries for Sporting & Working Dogs
Sporting and working dogs are athletes, and just like human athletes, injuries can occur. My goal is to help your dog return to full fitness and competition safely and efficiently, while supporting both physical recovery and emotional wellbeing.
My clinic provides rehabilitation and treatment for the most common injuries seen in sporting and working dogs, including:
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Shoulder Conditions: supraspinatus tendinopathy, infraspinatus contracture, bicep brachii tendinopathy, Subscapularis, Teres major/minor strains, Medial shoulder instability, fractures
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Stifle Conditions: Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture, Caudal Cruciate Ligament Rupture, medial collateral ligament sprain, meniscal injury, Patellar (kneecap) Dislocation, Rupture of the Patellar Tendon, Stifle Dislocation
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Hind limb Issues: Muscle strains, (hamstrings, quadriceps, Gastrocnemius strain)
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Common sporting dog injuries:
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Muscle contracture of Gracilis mm
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Calcaneal (Achilles) tendinopathy
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Iliopsoas mm injuries
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Fractures of metacarpal/tarsal and phalanges
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Structured Rehabilitation Support for Sporting Dogs Following an Injury
I place a strong emphasis on structured rehabilitation programmes, each one individually tailored to your dog’s specific injury, workload, and temperament. I work with you every step of the way, offering guidance, home-care advice, and ongoing support to keep both you and your dog motivated throughout recovery.
Every dog begins with a detailed assessment to identify the root cause of the injury. From there, I design a bespoke rehabilitation programme focused on:
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Restoring strength, flexibility, and range of motion
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Improving balance and functional movement
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Reducing pain and inflammation
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Supporting joint health and muscle recovery
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Gradual return-to-activity or competition
My aim is to rebuild fitness safely, reduce the risk of re-injury, and, where appropriate, help your dog return to work or sport at their best potential.
Owner Support & Home Management
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Successful recovery doesn’t stop in the clinic. I provide practical support for owners, including:
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Home exercise plans
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Pain management strategies
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Environmental adaptations (flooring, rest areas, ramps, etc.)
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Emotional and behavioural support during restricted activity or crate rest
I understand the emotional impact of injury on both the dog and the Owner, and I am are here to support you through the entire journey.
Nutritional Support for the Sporting Dog
Optimal nutrition is fundamental to the health, performance, and longevity of any sporting dog. Just like human athletes, canine athletes require carefully balanced diets that fuel training, enhance recovery, and support musculoskeletal resilience. Proper nutrition helps maintain lean muscle mass, optimise energy availability, reduces inflammation, and protects overall wellbeing, allowing your dog to perform at their best while staying healthy long term.
At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehabilitation Therapies, I provide professional guidance on nutritional strategies tailored to your dog’s sport, workload, and individual needs. This includes advice on complete diets as well as targeted supplements to support joint health, mobility, stamina, and recovery.
My goal is to ensure your sporting dog receives the precise nutritional support required to meet the demands of their discipline safely and effectively.
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Sporting Dog Partnership & Sponsorship Programme
I understand the unique demands placed on canine athletes. Our Sporting Dog Partnership Programme is designed to enhance performance, prevent injury and support long-term health.
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I proudly sponsor and support performance dogs and teams who share our commitment to welfare, performance and professionalism.
If your dog regularly competes or trains in high-level activities such as:
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Canicross / Dryland Sports
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Bikejor / Scooter
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Flyball
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Agility
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Gundog work
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Heelwork to Music / Obedience
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Working Trials
I would love to hear from you.
Join Our Team
If you are passionate about your dog’s performance and want expert clinical support behind you, I would love to connect.
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Interested in sponsorship or partnership?
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Let’s work together to achieve remarkable results—for performance, for health, for the love of the sport
As a partner, your dog will benefit from a comprehensive performance package, which can include:
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Muscle balance and movement assessment
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Injury prevention strategies
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Nutritional guidance
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Rehabilitation support if required
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Performance monitoring
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It’s the complete support system for the sporting or working dog. Please get in touch to find out more.
Our Team Members
I am excited to introduce some of the talented dogs I support including our newest dryland athletes joining the Avanti Racing Team: Odin, Dasher, Rogue and Lupin. A competitive dog sports team specialising in Dryland Mushing, Bikejoring, and Canicross.
Treatments for the Senior Dog
​At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehabilitation Therapies, I understand the unique needs of senior dogs. My approach is gentle, compassionate, and entirely tailored to each individual dog. The aim is to keep older dogs comfortable, relaxed, and supported throughout every therapy session.
Integrated Care Plans for the Senior Dog
Just because your dog is older, they do not have to put up with being stiff, sore, and slow!
As dogs enter their senior years, their bodies naturally begin to change. Many older dogs experience reduced mobility, chronic discomfort, and age-related health conditions that affect their quality of life.
Common issues in senior dogs include:
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Muscle weakness and loss of strength
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Balance and coordination difficulties
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Degenerative joint disease (DJD)
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Slower recovery following surgery or injury
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Your Senior Dog has unique needs depending on their health status. I create personalised care plans to address those needs:
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Senior Dog Care: Professional Approach
Senior Dog Care: Professional Treatment Approach
As dogs age, they commonly experience reduced mobility, chronic discomfort, and health conditions such as arthritis, muscle weakness, balance difficulties, degenerative joint disease, and slower recovery from injury or surgery.
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At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehabilitation Therapies, I provide gentle, individualised care tailored to each senior dog's needs. My treatment plan combines clinical massage, osteopathic techniques, and joint mobilisation to address age-related stiffness and arthritis.
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The primary objectives are to reduce pain, improve mobility, support joint health, ease muscular tension, enhance circulation, and promote relaxation.
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Each therapy session is adapted to the dog's comfort, medical history, and mobility. Exercise plans are customised, considering arthritis, vulnerable areas, muscle weakness, balance challenges, and overall fitness.
Clinical Massage for the Senior Dog
Canine Massage therapy can be an important part of their health maintenance plan, with dogs having maintenance session regularly to improve their quality of life allowing them to feel younger, healthier, and more mobile.
There is a long list of benefits to a senior dog that can come from Clinical Canine massage; the main ones are listed below:
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Increases flexibility by improving tissue elasticity
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Reduces pain and soreness, improves comfort levels
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Helps your dog feel better and move better
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Reduces stiffness
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Improves circulation
Senior Rehabilitation & Fitness Programmes
My Senior Dog programmes focus on structured, moderate exercise to build strength and stability without aggravating existing conditions.
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Key areas include:
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Safe strength development
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Improved joint function and mobility
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Enhanced body awareness and balance
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Hindlimb and core stability
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Integrated movement for daily activities
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Cognitive support through controlled exercise
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Special emphasis on developing core strength, as this supports the spine, hips, and shoulders, helping older dogs stay stable and confident
The Senior Dog Programme progresses from foundational exercises to maintenance circuits, targeting core, hip, and shoulder stability, balance, and controlled joint mobility. This approach helps senior dogs remain active, reduces injury risk, and supports physical and cognitive resilience.
Supporting Senior Dogs with Musculoskeletal Pain
Chronic pain in dogs is not simply a consequence of ageing or “slowing down.” It is a complex, multifactorial condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life. As in humans, chronic pain in dogs may arise from osteoarthritis, previous injury, neurological conditions, or soft tissue dysfunction. These changes are often subtle, progressive, and easily overlooked by Owners
​Many of the dogs seen in my clinic present with pain-related mobility issues, particularly in their senior years. I specialise in identifying musculoskeletal pain through my Musculoskeletal Pain Management Clinic.
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At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Therapies, I take a clinical and compassionate approach to supporting dogs living with chronic pain. I use a structured and evidence-informed approach to assess, including pain scoring tools, to determine whether pain is contributing to changes in mobility and/ or behaviour, followed by an individually tailored treatment plan to assess with a focus on:
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Improving comfort
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Supporting functional movement
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Promoting long-term wellbeing and quality of life
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As a veterinary pain-certified practitioner, with training in recognised pain assessments and management, I work alongside veterinary guidance to help identify, manage, and support dogs experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort.
Early pain recognition and appropriate management can significantly improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life for senior dogs.
Nutritional Advice for Senior Dogs
As dogs enter their senior years, their nutritional requirements change significantly compared to earlier life stages. Age-related alterations in metabolism, muscle mass, joint health, and organ function mean that dietary support becomes an essential part of maintaining quality of life.
I offer comprehensive nutritional assessments for senior dogs, helping to establish an appropriate and clearly defined nutrient profile that supports healthy ageing.
This service includes a detailed evaluation of your dog’s current diet, lifestyle, body condition, and existing health considerations. Where appropriate, I provide evidence-based nutritional recommendations, including guidance on:
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Optimising protein, fat, and micronutrient intake for ageing dogs
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The appropriate use of nutraceuticals and supplements to support musculoskeletal health, cognitive function, and overall vitality
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Understanding the role of nutrition alongside veterinary-prescribed pharmaceutical management
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I also help identify common conditions associated with ageing in dogs, such as reduced muscle mass, joint stiffness, metabolic changes, and digestive sensitivity—and advise on how nutritional management can be used as a supportive strategy as part of a wider care plan
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All advice is tailored to the individual dog and is designed to complement, not replace, veterinary care.
Dogs Living with Arthritis
Canine osteoarthritis (OA), is a common, progressive degenerative joint disease affecting a substantial proportion of the canine population, particularly older dogs. It represents a significant cause of chronic pain, functional impairment, and reduced mobility and is widely recognised as a major concern within canine healthcare.​
Osteoarthritis in Dogs
At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehabilitation Therapies, I provide targeted, evidence-informed musculoskeletal support for dogs living with osteoarthritis. Through detailed assessment and individually tailored clinical massage and rehabilitation techniques, I aim to reduce muscular tension, support joint function, improve comfort, and enhance functional movement. My approach works alongside veterinary diagnosis and management, helping to address secondary muscular and soft tissue changes that often develop as a result of chronic joint disease, with the goal of improving overall quality of life.
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What Is Canine Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is often misunderstood as simply “bone-on-bone” wear. In reality, it is a complex, whole-joint disease that affects multiple structures long before any direct bone contact occurs.
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Arthritis involves progressive changes to the entire joint environment, including the cartilage, joint capsule, synovial fluid, subchondral bone, and surrounding soft tissues. Inflammation and structural changes within these tissues contribute to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility as the condition advances.
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The signs of osteoarthritis can be subtle in the early stages and are often mistaken for normal ageing. As the condition progresses, symptoms may become more noticeable and can vary between individuals.
The condition can affect any joint but is most observed in the hips, elbows, knees (stifles), and spine.
Common signs of OA in dogs include:
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Stiffness, particularly after rest or first thing in the morning
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Difficulty rising, lying down, or climbing stairs
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Reduced willingness to exercise, play, or go for walks
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Changes in gait, limping, or uneven weight-bearing
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Postural changes or reduced range of movement
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Muscle loss or weakness around affected joints
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Behavioural changes, including irritability or reduced tolerance to touch
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Licking or chewing at specific joints
Early recognition and appropriate management are key to maintaining comfort, mobility, and quality of life.​​
How My Treatments Can Help
Osteoarthritis often leads to muscle tension, myofascial restriction, reduced joint mobility, and compensatory movement patterns, all of which can increase discomfort and accelerate disease progression. My treatments focus on supporting dogs with osteoarthritis through gentle, evidence-informed rehabilitation and soft tissue therapy.
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Using a combination of myofascial release, soft tissue therapy, joint support techniques, electrotherapies and rehabilitation strategies, treatment aims to:
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Reduce muscle tension and myofascial pain
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Improve comfort and ease of movement
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Support joint function and mobility
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Address compensatory patterns and muscle imbalance
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Enhance overall quality of life
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​Prescribed Exercise Programmes for the Senior Dog
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Appropriately prescribed exercise is a fundamental component of osteoarthritis management. While rest alone can lead to further stiffness, muscle loss, and reduced joint stability, excessive or inappropriate activity can worsen pain and inflammation.
Exercise programmes prescribed through my clinic are:
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Individually tailored to your dog’s condition, ability, and stage of OA
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Designed to maintain and improve muscle strength and joint support
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Focused on controlled, low-impact movement to promote joint health
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Progressed gradually and safely to avoid flare-ups
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When combined with hands-on therapy, structured exercise helps maintain mobility, slow functional decline, and support long-term comfort and helps manage chronic pain associated with OA.
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All treatment plans are tailored to the individual dog and work alongside veterinary guidance.​
Evidence-informed guidance is available from Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), an organisation I fully endorse for their outstanding resources, educational tools, and practical support for owners of dogs living with arthritis.
Their work plays a vital role in improving understanding, early recognition, and long-term management of this condition.
I am proud to be a Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) Advocate and to support their mission to improve quality of life for dogs affected by osteoarthritis.
Treatments for the Nervous Dog
A specialised, gentle approach for dogs who need extra time, understanding and care.
Is your dog nervous or anxious?
​My gentle, specialised approach is designed for dogs who require extra time, understanding, and care. Whether your dog is sensitive, in pain, or has had negative past experiences, my assessments and treatments are crafted to support them in a calm, safe, and positive environment.
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For some dogs, a full assessment can feel overwhelming. In these situations, I adapt my treatment sessions to meet their needs, providing rest breaks, working at their pace, and ensuring they always feel comfortable and safe. My priority is always the welfare and emotional wellbeing of the dog, and I will only proceed with therapy if they are relaxed and ready.
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Calm, Patient & Force-Free Environment
The clinic is built around low-stress handling principles. I take a slow, patient, and dog-led approach, allowing your dog time to settle and build trust. Techniques include:
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Desensitisation and gradual introduction
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Positive, force-free handling
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Choice and control for your dog
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Quiet, calm surroundings
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Gentle touch and reassurance
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Your dog’s emotional safety and physical wellbeing are always prioritised.​​
Canine Massage Can Help Your Nervous Dog
Nervous and anxious dogs often experience ongoing activation of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system. Over time, this can contribute to increased muscle tone, myofascial restriction, altered movement patterns, and reduced physical confidence.
Clinical massage may support these dogs in several key ways:
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Supporting parasympathetic nervous system activity
Gentle, structured manual techniques can help encourage activation of the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system. This physiological shift supports relaxation, regulation, and recovery, helping to counterbalance chronic stress responses.
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Reducing muscle tension and soft tissue restriction
Anxious dogs frequently develop areas of persistent muscular tightness, particularly through the neck, shoulders, thoracolumbar region, and hindquarters. Clinical massage aims to reduce excessive muscle tone, improve tissue elasticity, and enhance comfort.
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Addressing myofascial restrictions associated with trauma or stress
Physical or emotional trauma may contribute to myofascial tension and protective holding patterns. Targeted, consent-based myofascial techniques can help restore tissue mobility and improve functional movement without overwhelming the dog.
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Improving body awareness and physical confidence
As comfort and movement quality improve, many dogs demonstrate better postural stability and proprioceptive awareness. This can support increased confidence in movement and handling.
Proud to be Force-Free
I am a proud member of the Nottingham Force Free Canine Network, a collaborative group of dedicated and ethical professionals the East Midlands. By employing force-free methods, I focus on building trust with your dogs, which is essential for effectively treating anxious or pain-sensitive pets as a canine therapist. My approach a compassionate and supportive environment for all dogs in my care.
Client Feedback from Owners with Nervous Dogs
“Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us and Nara over the years, and for being the first person to validate my suspicions of pain being the underlying cause of Nara’s issues. we love coming to Nara’s treatment sessions and are so grateful for your support!.”
Amy & Nara, a Rescue Dog
Treatments for the Tripawd
There are a multitude of reasons that a dog may lose a limb and become a tripawd; whether it is due to injury, cancer or a birth defect, sometimes amputation is a necessity.
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If you’re facing the heart-wrenching decision of whether to amputate your dog’s leg, or are considering adopting an amputee dog, Canine Massage can dramatically help in their rehabilitation process.
Amputation significantly impacts a dog's gait pattern, posture, muscle recruitment, and overall function. After surgery, your dog will need to quickly adapt, learning to walk, sit, and stand anew while navigating their environment. This can lead to overcompensation in other limbs, resulting in habitual tension patterns and "Protective Muscle Splinting." These overworked muscles may become hypertonic, developing painful trigger points that contribute to myofascial pain.
Canine Massage and rehabilitation can make a huge difference in improving strength, posture and movement adaptions, as well as reducing and pain.
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I offer an comprehensive treatment package and tailored exercise programme for the Tripawd Dog.
