Core Pawtential

Core Pawtential Massage, trigger point, acupressure, canine fitness & conditioning.

The last two shows of 2024 are open for pre-booking! 🔹 Dec 27-28: Bayshore Companion Dog Club's Agility Trial🔸 Dec 29-30...
12/23/2024

The last two shows of 2024 are open for pre-booking!

🔹 Dec 27-28: Bayshore Companion Dog Club's Agility Trial
🔸 Dec 29-30: Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club's Agility Trial

Both are 3-day shows, but I will only be there for two days. Double check you have the correct dates when pre-booking your appointments.

Link to pre-book an appointment: https://www.corepawtential.com/triggerpointmassage-dogshow

We will be taking a break from vending at shows in the next few months - don't miss the chance to get your canine athletes "tuned up" before you ring in the new year!

🔸 We all know that we can teach our dogs all kinds of things. More often than not, our canine companions are more than h...
12/16/2024

🔸 We all know that we can teach our dogs all kinds of things. More often than not, our canine companions are more than happy to oblige with what we ask of them.

🔹 But how often do we stop and ask ourselves, WHY are we teaching a certain thing and WHAT purpose does it serve?

🔸 We all know that we can ask our dogs to do all sorts of things. More often than not, our canine athletes are willing to do them.

🔹 But how often do we stop and ask ourselves, SHOULD we?

It is a privilege to work with our four-legged (or even three-legged!) companions. Are we putting our GOALS and WANTS ahead of our canine companions' well-being?

Is that cool trick for us or for them?
Is that ribbon for us or for them?
Is that new title for us or for them?
Is keeping the dog on the working team for us/the team or for them?

Just because a dog CAN or WILL do something for us, doesn't always mean we should ask that of them.
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⭐ 5 tips to get the most bang for your buck out of bodywork appointments. ⭐ 1️⃣ Arrive 10-15min before your scheduled ap...
12/13/2024

⭐ 5 tips to get the most bang for your buck out of bodywork appointments. ⭐

1️⃣ Arrive 10-15min before your scheduled appointment.

🔸 Give your dog ample time to stretch their legs after a car ride and do their business. I can wait until you and your dog are ready, but it eats into your session time!

2️⃣ Groom your dog.
🔸 Matted fur and debris can affect the quality of the bodywork. Dirty coat may also interfere with certain modalities (e.g., kinesiology taping).

3️⃣ Ask questions - seriously!
🔸 The only stupid question is the one that is not asked. I am always happy to tell you what I am doing and how it helps your dog. I can also show you things you can do at home.

4️⃣ Read your session notes.
🔸 If you are coming for a regular bodywork appointment, session notes summarize my evaluations, what was done, recommendations, and things you can work on between appointments.

5️⃣ Stay on a consistent schedule.
🔸 Consistent does not mean more frequent. The more regularly your dog gets bodywork, the greater benefit they will receive.

Got questions about bodywork appointments? Let me know in the comments below 👇 or send me a DM!

Quitting is NOT a sign of weakness.Knowing when to quit can be one of the most powerful skills we have as advocates for ...
12/09/2024

Quitting is NOT a sign of weakness.

Knowing when to quit can be one of the most powerful skills we have as advocates for our canine companions.

Whether it’s high-stakes competition, regular fitness and conditioning training, daily practice, or maintenance bodywork, success is not just about pushing through until you or your dog "makes it." True success lies in being flexible, adapting, and letting go of what isn’t in your dog’s best interest.

🔹 Quitting is not weakness; it’s knowing when to pull your dog from a sport or competition that isn’t a good fit for their well-being or abilities.

🔸 Quitting is not abandoning the dream; it’s redefining your goals by putting your dog’s best interests first.

🔹 Quitting is not losing; it’s prioritizing your dog’s physical and mental well-being over rankings, ribbons, and titles.

🔸 Quitting is not giving up; it’s recognizing when a training method or treatment modality isn’t working and having the courage to explore alternative strategies.

🔹 Quitting is not surrender; it’s walking away from anything that hinders your dog's well-being or your growth as a team.

🔸 Quitting is not giving in; it’s standing up for integrity, ethics, and morals.

⭐ Quitting is for winners. ⭐
📷: Jamie Street on Unsplash

🔸 Services & Pricing updates: Effective January 1 2025🔸As we approach the beginning of the new year, we have restructure...
12/06/2024

🔸 Services & Pricing updates: Effective January 1 2025🔸

As we approach the beginning of the new year, we have restructured our "in-office" services to focus on what we believe is the cornerstone of our canine companion's functional and physical well-being: ⭐ consistent maintenance work ⭐.

To support this, we are prioritizing packages that encourage dog/handler teams to commit to regular fitness and bodywork over time.

These packages are designed with the following goals in mind:
🔸 Improve and maintain fitness levels
🔹 Enhance functional well-being
🔸 Reduce the risk of injuries, and
🔹 Early detection of potential issue(s) of concern for timely intervention.

Details about the updated services & pricing can be found at: https://www.corepawtential.com/

These services and pricing will be effective as of January 1 2025. Clients who have existing appointments and/or packages will not be affected until the next payment.

We are grateful for everyone's support, and we are looking forward to continue helping you and your canine athletes achieve your goals!

12/05/2024
🌟 Exciting news! I am open for event booking in 2025. 🌟 🔹 Are there important dog shows where canine athletes can benefi...
12/02/2024

🌟 Exciting news! I am open for event booking in 2025. 🌟

🔹 Are there important dog shows where canine athletes can benefit from trigger point massage (e.g., agility, dock diving, flyball, disc dog)?

🔸 Is your club interested in hosting workshops that focus on the well-being of your canine athletes?

🔹 Are you a group of like-minded handlers who would like one-on-one fitness evaluations to make informed decision about your canine companion's career and training needs?

🐶 I have a few tentative events scheduled for 2025, so if you/your club is interested, please email me at [email protected]. 🐶

Grateful for all the pups who wormed their way into my heart - you are the best teachers one can ever hope for. Thank yo...
11/27/2024

Grateful for all the pups who wormed their way into my heart - you are the best teachers one can ever hope for. Thank you for all the hugs, kisses, and souvenirs!

Thankful for all the people I met along the way - thank you for trusting me with your companions, thank you for giving me the opportunities, and thank you for all the kindness and support!

From the bottom my heart, THANK YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So incredibly grateful for Leap Agility Club of Central MA and Talcott Mountain Agility Club for having me at the 2024 T...
11/25/2024

So incredibly grateful for Leap Agility Club of Central MA and Talcott Mountain Agility Club for having me at the 2024 Thanksgiving Agility Cluster. A huge thank you for the hosting clubs, judges, volunteers, and exhibitors who all helped to make the trial run smoothly. Many thanks to the wonderful vendors who helped and supported each other.

Thank you to everyone who trusted me with your canine athletes - thank you for putting your partner's well-being as a priority, and thank you for asking questions! It was a wonderful weekend catching up with old friends and making new connections.

To everyone who ran their dogs this weekend, a friendly reminder to have your canine partners checked out by your local bodyworkers! Running on dirt that is packed on concrete is very hard our four-legged friends' bodies - especially for those who are more used to running on turf or nicely watered/raked dirt.

I hope everyone had a safe journey home! See you again soon!

All set up and ready for all the wonderful canine athletes at the Thanksgiving Agility Cluster!We are along the back wal...
11/22/2024

All set up and ready for all the wonderful canine athletes at the Thanksgiving Agility Cluster!

We are along the back wall, between the collars/beds/bandana vendor and the antlers vendor, close to Rings 1 and 2.

A few logistics:

1️⃣ Online booking is preferred for next day appointments: https://www.corepawtential.com/triggerpointmassage-dogshow

2️⃣ Paper sign-up is available for day-of appointments

3️⃣ I have a medium-sized crate if you want to leave your dog with me. However, if you anticipate leaving your dog with me for a substantial amount of time, please bring your own crate

I am looking forward to meeting you and your canine athletes!

There seems to be a common perception that massages should be something to do only at the end of the day or end of a tri...
11/19/2024

There seems to be a common perception that massages should be something to do only at the end of the day or end of a trial. As most bodywork has the benefit of improving circulation, thus promoting recovery, this notion makes sense.

However, the benefits of trigger point massage go beyond that of improving circulation and promoting recovery. Trigger point massage, when applied appropriately, is a relatively precise bodywork technique that targets specific areas of muscle dysfunction. Instead of relaxing the whole dog, trigger point massage aims to relax individual tight muscle bands, with the potential to improve range of motion and flexibility.

By evaluating major joints' range of motion, trigger point massage is also uniquely beneficial in identifying areas of compensation, pain, and/or discomfort. Early detection of discomfort allow handlers to make informed decision about their canine athletes' well-being, in terms of additional runs and follow-up with their veterinarian care team and/or specialists.

Do you have questions about whether trigger point massage is appropriate for your canine athletes? Ask me in the comments below 👇 or send me a DM!
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We are counting the days until the Thanksgiving Agility Cluster at the Big E - are you as excited as we are? Appointment...
11/14/2024

We are counting the days until the Thanksgiving Agility Cluster at the Big E - are you as excited as we are?

Appointments open for pre-booking at the Thanksgiving Agility Cluster at West Springfield, MA.

Pre-book an appointment here: https://www.corepawtential.com/triggerpointmassage-dogshow

New clients, please fill out the waiver here:
https://www.corepawtential.com/trigger-point-massage-waiver

We can be flexible with run times, though pre-booking is preferred so we can make sure neither dogs/handlers are rushed as you go about your busy weekend.

See you soon!
📷: Woof House Studio

Did you miss us the last time we were in Connecticut? We are heading back to Wizard of Paws to offer trigger point massa...
11/12/2024

Did you miss us the last time we were in Connecticut?

We are heading back to Wizard of Paws to offer trigger point massage next week.

🔸 Date: 11/21
🔹Time: 10am-3pm
🔸 Where: Wizard of Paws

By appointment only!

🐶 To make an appointment, go to 🐾 www.corepawtential.com ➡️ Events ➡️ Dog shows or Clinics.🐾

With so many upcoming big events, this is the pawfect opportunity to make sure your canine companions are in their tip-top shape to perform at their best!

Who am I?
✅ Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer
✅ Certified Canine Massage Therapist (certified in therapeutic, sports, and advanced massage)
✅ Certified Small Animal Acupressure Practitioner
✅ Trigger Point Massage (trained by Ken Bain)

Thank you Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club for having me at their AKC agility trial this weekend. Many thanks to the...
11/11/2024

Thank you Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club for having me at their AKC agility trial this weekend. Many thanks to the judges, volunteers, and exhibitors who braved the cold and kept everything running smoothly.

Thank you to everyone who let me cuddle with your lovely dogs and get puppy kisses, and thank you for trusting me with your canine athletes.

Finally, a very important message to Harley - HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! 🥳

Last day at the Horse Park of New Jersey for the GSNEC's AKC agility trial. Whether your canine athletes need 🔹 A trigge...
11/10/2024

Last day at the Horse Park of New Jersey for the GSNEC's AKC agility trial.

Whether your canine athletes need
🔹 A trigger point massage for better performance,
🔸 Post-trial massage to promote recovery,
🔹 Regular maintenance bodywork for general wellness, or
🔸 1-TDC Works So Well for joint supplements

We are available to help and answer your questions.

Come and see how we can help your canine athletes perform to the best of their pawtential!

Are you heading to the GSNEC's AKC agility trial this weekend at the Horse Park of New Jersey? We will be there Saturday...
11/07/2024

Are you heading to the GSNEC's AKC agility trial this weekend at the Horse Park of New Jersey? We will be there Saturday and Sunday (Nov 9 & 10) offering trigger point massage to canine athletes.

For those who are heading to US Open, this will also be the pawfect opportunity to get your athletes "tuned up" prior to the long travel and big event.

Pre-book an appointment here: https://www.corepawtential.com/triggerpointmassage-dogshow

See you soon!
📷: Core Pawtential

We ventured south (well, south for us) this weekend to work at two different agility trials. Many thanks to Talbot Kenne...
11/04/2024

We ventured south (well, south for us) this weekend to work at two different agility trials. Many thanks to Talbot Kennel Club and Dark Storm Services/Get Rev'd Agility for having me!

Thank you to everyone who showered me with kindness and support, and a huge thank you to those who advocated for their canine companions! Thank you for trusting me with your talented athletes, and thank you soooo much for your patience.

See you again soon!

If you can afford to TRIAL, you can afford BODYWORK. Participating in sports with our canine companions is not just a ho...
10/30/2024

If you can afford to TRIAL, you can afford BODYWORK.

Participating in sports with our canine companions is not just a hobby, it is a privilege. Our dogs did not ask to compete in obedience, rally, flyball, agility, dock diving, and/or any of the performance sports. Many of our dogs happily play these games with us, simply because we asked them to.

Yes, I get it. Having dogs is expensive. Having multiple dogs is expensive. As much as we intend to provide the best care for our canine companions, sometimes the extra stuff, like bodywork, just doesn't fit within our budget. And that is okay! Focus on your non-negotiable vet bills and rehab bills. They are the essential expenses that keep your dogs healthy.

Yes, I know that trialing is expensive, and the cost of trialing multiple dogs adds up quickly.

But if you can afford to trial your dogs, and expect them to compete and perform like athletes, then you CAN afford bodywork.

In fact, you SHOULD prioritize bodywork. A competent bodyworker can pick up minor issues that can be easily remedied, so that your dog can perform without compensating for minor issues. A competent bodyworker may even identify issues that warrant a follow-up with your veterinarian care team, which may allow early intervention before seemingly minor issues become a major, potentially career-ending injury.

If you expect your dog to be an athlete, then treat them like one!
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Bergenfield, NJ
07621

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My story

Core Pawtential would not have existed without Nomial, or should I say, Core Pawtential exists because of Nomial. My unruly, endless energy, demanding, and fear of missing out (FOMO) mixed breed trouble-maker. His adoption paper listed him as “Retriever, Golden.” Clearly he did not get the memo, as he is neither, yet he is so very perfect in his own special way. Although not my first puppy to raise, he is one of the most challenging ones I have had so far. From the very beginning, he made it abundantly clear that a lifestyle as a house pet is not enough for his bigger-than-his-head personality. As we dipped our toes/paws into agility, I quickly realize that agility is more than clearing jumps, racing up the A-frame, or nailing the weaves. It is even more than the handler-dog connection. Fundamentally, it is about whether your dog’s body is fit enough to do all those things, and perhaps even more importantly, do all those things safely. Hence began our journey into the world of canine fitness and conditioning. We learned from one of the best in the field, Debbie Torraca, DPT, MSPT, CCRP, CCMT, through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy (FDSA). In December 2018, I successfully completed all the requirements and passed the final examination to become a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT). I continue to expand my knowledge in canine fitness and conditioning by attending classes and seminars regularly to learn more about different conditioning exercises, canine structure, and gait analysis.

At Core Pawtential, we strongly believe that fitness and conditioning exercises are crucial in helping dogs attain the best quality of life possible, regardless of age, breed, and/or lifestyle. We work with clients to design canine fitness and conditioning programs customized to each dog’s needs, also keeping in mind practicality and/or other limitations. Our goal is to help you help your dog improve their fitness, reduce risks of injury, and maintain a good quality of life.