Furry Dogmother Huyton

03/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/19XodQjaim/

Joey's Legacy Rescue & Rehoming pet food bank if you know anyone struggling or in need 💜

03/07/2025

RESCUEFEST 2025

As this event was all about supporting our Rescues, one of the main messages I wanted to get out there is how a dog’s fascia can store
trauma and affect their movement, behaviour and overall wellbeing.

Did you know our dogs have 700 muscles (350 pairs) and a Canine Massage Therapist palpates the muscles most commonly affected from daily
activities feeling for texture, tone, temperature and tenderness! We trained for two years to learn all about muscular health in dogs and how it impacts their activities of dailyliving. Full details of my registration with the Canine Massage Guild here:

https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/tracy-taft

Hayley Hilton was with me today and she is also a
Guild Member and her business is Wirral based called Hands on Heart Clinical Canine Massage.

One thing that really affects a dog’s movement, behaviour and wellbeing is their Fascia. It’s the
3D cobweb of tissue that surrounds their body, muscles, ligaments, bones and organs. We practise 4 disciplines of massage and one of those is The Lenton Method, a set of direct myofascial release techniques and the only method that has been Clinically Trialled at St Wi******er University) full details here:

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.586)

BENEFITS OF MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Myofascial release in dogs offers a wide range of
therapeutic benefits, especially for dogs experiencing discomfort, reduced
mobility, or tension. It’s a gentle, hands-on technique aimed at releasing
restrictions in the myofascial system — the connective tissue (fascia) that
surrounds and supports muscles, bones, nerves, and organs.

Here are the key benefits of myofascial release for dogs:

🐾 1. Pain Relief

🐾 2. Improved Mobility and
Flexibility

🐾 3. Better Posture and Gait

🐾 4. Supports Healing and
Recovery

🐾 5. Releases Emotional Tension

🐾 6. Enhances Performance

🐾 7. Complements Other Therapies

🐾 Signs a Dog Might Benefit from
Myofascial Release:

Uneven muscle tone or posture

Lameness or stiffness

Skin or coat ripples over certain areas

Behavioural changes (sensitivity,
guarding, reluctance to be touched)

Yawning or twitching during massage in
specific zones

Difficulty jumping, turning, or climbing
stairs

28/06/2025

How cute is Henry the Poochon 💙

27/06/2025

✨ MEET THE CHARITIES ✨

RescueFest is all about celebrating hardworking animal charities and providing a platform for them to raise awareness and funds.

We'll be joined by Ivy Dene Rabbit Rescue on Sunday 29th June at Walton Hall Park. Learn more about them below.

"Our mission is to protect and advocate for rabbits in need.

To promote humane behaviour towards rabbits in Yorkshire and the surrounding area by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment, security and re-homing for rabbits which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to rabbit care and welfare and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among rabbits."

Get your FREE tickets at www.rescuefest.org 👈

🐾

24/06/2025

DogFest Tatton Park 2025

7 skilled Canine Massage Therapists were on the stand. We have trained for 2 years to become a Practitioner and to remain part of the Canine Massage Guild we have to complete 20 hours of Continued Professional Development every year to meet their Guild Standard which is assessed and audited.

Link to Canine Massage Guild Website Therapist Register:

https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/

As well as being Canine Massage Guild Members we also run our own individual Canine Massage Therapy businesses and cover different parts of the UK. A full register of therapists and their business details can be found on the above link but here’s the team names from Tatton Park:

North West: Hayley Hilton, Jessica Heathcote, Kirsty Duncan, Roz Forder, Tracy Taft
North East: Jaynee Cano Miserachs
Wales: Dr Caroline Duce

We were hands on for two days doing palpations to assess and discuss your dog’s muscular tissue. Our dogs have 700 muscles, and we are trained to assess the most common ones used in their daily activities that are prone to overuse and possible injuries often seen in lameness, limping or slowing down.

We feel for changes in muscle tissue as well as observing your dog’s movement and listen to your feedback about their behaviour and lifestyles.

We also help with chronic pain management for orthopaedic conditions e.g. dysplasia, arthritis plus many more conditions to provide a complimentary therapy along with their veterinary care which will help rejuvenate their muscle tissue, boost their wellbeing and keep them as pain free as possible.

Have you noticed any changes in your dog lately?

We use 4 disciplines of massage therapy Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release and
The Lenton Method a set of advanced myofascial release techniques and is the only method, clinically trialled and published in the VetMed and the link is here:

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.586

09/06/2025

I have been working with dogs for 21 years as a Qualified Dog Groomer and have in the last four years become a Reiki for Dogs Practitioner and a Clinical Canine Massage Therapist.

Why did I learn about massage therapy for dogs?

As a Dog Groomer I handle a lot of dogs per week, I see them more than a vet does around 4 to 6 weekly for up to two hours per session. I notice changes because I don’t live with them 24/7 like you do as their owner. I was seeing and feeling things that my
grooming training just wasn’t providing an answer to and, as I have aways been interested in their health and wellbeing, I was always curious to find some answers.

I did a brief introductory seminar with the Canine Massage Guild and straight away it was like a EUREKA MOMENT because I could see dogs with the gait irregularities, coat changes, skin twitches, clicks, clunks I was feeling DAILY and reactions that I had been
observing in dogs. Of course, I enrolled because not does it benefit my knowledge as a Dog Groomer, it had benefits for the dogs I care for, my own dogs and for you as owners because there are basic techniques in Swedish that you can do each week.

I spent two years on an intensive training course and the first year was 11 modules which had to be completed and passed before they even let you touch a dog on the second year of practical sessions.

I studied in the two-year period – anatomy and physiology, skeletal and muscular anatomy, lymphatic, nervous and blood vascular systems, skin (the largest organ of the body), gait and pain analysis, orthopaedic conditions and pathologies, cross bridge theory all this to become:

A Clinical Canine Massage Therapist, I practise 4 disciplines of massage therapy Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release and the Lenton Method

Lenton Method is a set of advanced myofascial release techniques and the only method, clinically trialled and published in the VetMed.

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.586)

07/06/2025

How to prepare your dog for a ‘Stress Free Grooming Session’

Like us, our dogs get stressed with daily occurrences. Some are stressed by noises, some whine, shake or vomit while travelling in the car, some react to other dogs on a walk (I had a dog that would shake at the noise of a ring binder clipping) they are all very, very different.

This is why our jobs as Dog Groomers can sometimes be quite difficult. We have to expose your dog to all of this …. travelling to our salons, the exposure to smells from shampoo and perfumes, noises from dryers, brushing sensitive skin EVERYTHING is thrown at your dog in a couple of hours plus just taking some dogs away from their environment is stressful.

So what can we do?

I’ve been studying this with a lady called Sue Williamson and she has written books about it - have a look at ‘Taking the Grrr out of Grooming’ there’s a few to choose from.

I've designed this leaflet to give suggestions of what you can do Prior to the Grooming Session.

Looking for a Dog Groomer?

Choose your groomer based on their particular specialism or an environment that’s a good match for your dog’s individual needs.
Your dog will visit their groomer at least 4 to 6 weekly, around 8 times per year. Groomers handle your dog a lot for up to 2 hours each session (even more than their vet!). If your dog has a particular need, look for a groomer that offers that specialism. Some groomers offer a few different specialisms.

I've been grooming 21 years so have experience in most breeds and styles. I tend to look after the nervous and reactive dogs who prefer a quiet environment and they get me every groom so I can build up trust.

I am also a Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner so if their reactivity is due to pain, I can do a muscular health check as well as the 8 point health check that is done by a Qualified Dog Groomer.

I offer pet trims that are suited to your dogs needs and wellbeing although I'm experienced in most breed standard styles (dog permitting!!!)

Please ask me if your unsure about anything.

Tracy

04/06/2025

04/06/2025

Are you deeply distressed by the police raid on the rogue rescue in Essex? Of course you are. Be part of the campaign to regulate rescue, to make it the safe space it should be,

02/06/2025

My availability in June

I have approximately 9 slots left in June for Full Grooms, Wash and Blows, Clinical Canine Massage Therapy or Reiki.

I'm also introducing my new service 'Paws&Relax' which is a combination of nail clip, massage and reflexology! £25 a session. Let's get our dogs enjoying their nail clipping experience instead of dreading them.

Please text for a booking link.

PS don't forget I'm at RescueFest on 29 June with my Clinical Canine Massage Therapy 'FurTherapy' to explain how our dogs ALL BENEFIT from massage and giving out FREE muscular health checks.

Take Care
Tracy

02/06/2025

✨ MEET THE CHARITIES ✨

RescueFest is all about celebrating hardworking animal charities and providing a platform for them to raise awareness and funds.

We'll be joined by New Hope For Forgotten Cats on Sunday 29th June at Walton Hall Park. Learn more about them below.

"We are a small non profit cat rescue set up to help the stray, abandoned, lost and unwanted cats in the local area of Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales."

Get your FREE tickets at www.rescuefest.org 👈

🐾