Hands to Paws

13/01/2025

In February I'm completing some CPD to continue developing my observational skills in canine confirmation and gait analysis from the International Association of Animal Therapists to support me with this learning Finn ordered me a new book 🐾🐕

Who knew dogs could use a computer 🤣. Don't think he's impressed that I underestimated his skills 🧡

30/12/2024

This is so important and using a medication trial may be one of the only ways to know your best friend has been in discomfort.

Dogs are so stoic and talk to us through their body language but sometimes it's so hard to see and a positive behaviour change may be one of those ways of talking to us 🐾🐕

Medications are not bad!

NSAIDs are frequently used to manage your dog's condition and can offer a dramatic improvement in mobility and quality of life.

There are many licensed drugs available that come in different formulations and are given in different ways. Generally they are very well tolerated.

04/12/2024

Thanks to everyone Snowy's Canine Therapy Centre who keep Mr Finn ready to take on the world alongside my own Galen Myotherapy sessions.

Woody's arthritis journey taught me so much about how working as a team can be so powerful.

Can't wait for all our future adventures 🐾🏃🏼‍♀️

02/11/2024

Today has been full of glitz and glamour 🎉

Specifically lots of ginger glitter from a lovely 10 year old boy. It was a pleasure to be given every sparkle as I completed my first treatment session with him.
✨🌟

13/10/2024

Beigli is my newest client and we've just finished her 3 intensive treatment sessions before moving to a maintenance protocol.

Beigli came to the UK after being rescued from Europe during lockdown and has since had TPLO (https://www.ndsr.co.uk/information-sheets/tplo-surgery-for-cruciate-ligament-rupture/) surgery on both stifles.

Beigli recovered well but her owner knew that arthritis was a likely consequence and made the decision to be proactive as keeping the musculature around the joint strong will also keep the limbs strong and moving the way they should.

Having seen Beigli doing zoomies I wondered what I could do to help but trusting the power of Galen Myotherapy there have been positive but subtle changes.

Being proactive will always be better than reactive with arthritis as our stoic dogs will only show us they are painful when the disease is well advanced.

And remember ,"Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. It affects 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old, and potentially up to 35% of dogs of all ages. " (https://caninearthritis.co.uk/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-in-dogs-the-basics/)

13/10/2024

A great listen for anyone interested in canine wellness and the links to training 🙂

03/09/2024

A great podcast which got me thinking again about my own younger dog, Finn and all the things I've put in place and some I still need to do (as non of us are perfect).

Woody taught me so much about arthritis and even he was considered young at diagnosis, 6.5 yrs old, to be showing severe diagnostic signs. The symptoms were far less easy to see!

There is so much great information available now about arthritis but I think the biggest thing we need to keep shouting about is,

"It's not just an old dog disease"

Check out Episode 3 - Prevalence and identification of OA pain in younger dogs - Duncan Lascelles from Canine Arthritis Matters on Amazon Music.

Dr. Lascelles is Professor in Small Animal Surgery and Pain Management at North Carolina State University. His research program (Translational Research in Pain [TRiP]) develops methods to measure pain associated with spontaneous disease in animals, and seeks to understand the underlying neurobiol...

01/09/2024

I've updated my Privacy Policy on my website which provides information relating to records and their retention periods.

https://www.handstopaws.co.uk/privacy-policy

Cute dog pic of my bestie to make this essential post less boring!!!

Your information is securely stored via jotform and Google Drive. We keep the defined personal information for 1 year following your pet’s last treatment session. We will then dispose of your information by deleting all electronic records including, client consultation forms, emails, and Whatsapp ...

30/08/2024

The power of Galen Myotherapy Positive Pact®️ protocol.

Sita is a wonderful and energetic girl who loves scootering with her mum. I saw her this week (as well as her older brother and sister) for our check in before the canisports season kicks in.

By using the Positive PACT protocol so that she has freedom of movement and "choice" on how her sessions progress, we have developed a relationship and this week she really started to relax and will now benefit fully from her Galen Myotherapy sessions.

Big shout out to her owner who has also trusted me for the last two sessions when it looked like very little "hands on" work was being done.

"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” -Orhan Pamuk

Find out more at https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/positive-pact

Pics - Sita and Mallory showing what Galen Myotherapy is all about.

I must also mention Edith even though I didn't get her pic 🐕🐕🐕

04/08/2024

Come and see us for a chat about how we can support you best friend 🤩🐾
Harmony Canine Therapy Waggy Tail Myotherapy

31/07/2024

Galen Myotherapy is not just for those dogs with diagnosed conditions but can be used to monitor and keep our working and sporting dogs injury free.

I went to see Leeooh and Cooper again on Monday. They both work the shoot season so I make a visit 3 x a year to complete a muscular health check to make sure there is nothing underlying which could become chronic. They also get a treatment and in their own spaniel way have some moments of relaxation.

I love these crazy two and our sessions are all about adapting so they get as much as possible out of our time together. Also, some advice for their owner about how to support them with warm ups during a shoot day.

A lovely message from their owner too,

'Think the dogs loved it certainly Coops looked much more free in his hinds yesterday evening 👍thank you again from the boys🙏"

13/07/2024

Finn took his new job very seriously this morning - Galen Myotherapy demo dog.

A great morning was had at our first teaching workshop with Waggy Tail Myotherapy and Harmony Canine Therapy

Having the opportunity to teach others about and all the benefits it brings. The dogs who came along were great, as were the owners!

If you are interested in joining us for a workshop in the future, get in touch 🐾

05/07/2024

Pet Remembrance Day - 5th July

I will be forever grateful to all the puppies who inspired me 💙❤️

30/06/2024

This is such an important message.

Woody's vet said his BCS was the one thing that would make the biggest difference to his treatment plan. Quickly I learnt to ignore people who said I didn't feed my Labrador enough. To begin with that upset me but over time I knew it was helping keep his arthritis stable.

27/05/2024

A really good listen. Joints are made up of many parts, not just bones and all these could be the cause of pain.

How can we help dogs with joint pain. I this conversation with Galen Myotherapist, Julia Robertson we discuss how working with muscles can help both prevent ...