K9 Myo-ManipulatiVE Functional Therapy
Dogs suffer receptive strains, injuries and the effects of aging just as their humans do. I feel that competent alternative health care options have been lacking for a very long time in the veterinary industry. Just as with my breeding program, I wish to “be the change”.
K9 Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapy is a form of canine massage therapy that focuses on restoring proper function to the dog’s body by addressing musculoskeletal imbalances and dysfunctions. It involves techniques like massage, stretching, and manipulation of soft tissues and joints to improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote overall well-being.
People are motivated to bring their dogs in for treatment for a variety of reasons:
- Maintenance for graceful aging
- Acute or chronic injuries
- Repetitive strains
- Injury prevention in dog sports
- Competitive edge in dog sports
- Neonate puppies with difficult deliveries
- Pre-Surgical Preparation
- Post-Surgical Recovery
First visits include a History Form that is completed before you and your dog arrive. We will review your answers together and then perform any necessary orthopaedic assessments on your dog that will help me determine how to best to treat your dog in order to address your concerns.
As with my human practice, Myofacial Release techniques are a cornerstone in my approach with dogs though I do use a variety of other modalities including Swedish & Sport techniques, CranioSacral Therapy and AnimalTalk as needed.
Treatment sessions are 60 minutes of hands-on with you and your dog. This includes our History review and any Assessments on your first visit or as required for future visits. While some dogs are challenged to sit still for a whole hour, I find most are quite willing participants once they realize how good it feels to feel better. Your calm presence during the session is very important as it will keep your dog a willing participant. You will be able to stand or sit with your dog while treatment occurs and offer praise, cookies and encouragement.
CREDENTIALS
Dena Denali has been an Integrative Orthopaedic Medical Massage Therapist working in her human practice in at Body Kneads Integrative Healing in Okotoks, Alberta since 2001. She has worked with high level athletes in many sports including professional rodeo, Junior A/B hockey, triathletes, gymnasts, dancers, national bobsleigh and more. She became a Certified BodyTalk Practitioner in 2006 with an AnimalTalk Specialty. She added Certified Equine Sport Massage Therapy credentials in 2007 in Colorado, USA, then working in conjunction with both horses and their humans. K9 Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapy was added in 2020 during COVID shut-down.
Though these canine credentials were added more recently, she has been using her skills and experience aquired through her human practice on her own dogs for many, many years. These trainings with quadrupeds were useful and necessary, however she finds that her more than 2 decades of experience and continuing education in her results driven human practice influences her canine treatments substantially. To learn more about her practice, please see www.body-kneads.ca (website currently under construction and scheduled to be live in August 2025).
LOCATION
My office is located in my home in Okotoks, Alberta. I use a hydraulic massage table to work on both canines and humans.
PRICE
This service will be available August 18, 2025 onwards. Please return to this page then to book.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
This service will be available August 18, 2025 onwards. Please return to this page then to book.
K9 INTAKE FORM
This service will be available August 18, 2025 onwards. Please return to this page then to book.