Canine Nurture

09/10/2026

When I'm not treating dogs I can very often be found in the garden.
The first bunch of spring beauties for me 😍

01/10/2026

If you would like more information about how massage, functional exercise and laser therapy can help your dog you can visit www.caninenurture.com.au or give me a call on 0457394835.

30/09/2026

21/09/2026

Every dog experiences pain differently, and depending on what is causing their pain, there are lots of different ways we can help manage it.
Sometimes it's about treating the underlying problem, sometimes reducing pain and inflammation, and sometimes making changes to how they move, exercise or go about everyday life.

Often, it's a combination of these things that can make the biggest difference.

1. Weight management
Keeping your dog lean is one of the simplest things you can control. Excess weight increases the load on the joints and can contribute to inflammation and pain. Even modest weight loss can improve comfort and mobility in dogs with joint disease.

2. Veterinary intervention
If you suspect your dog is in pain, always start with your vet. Finding and addressing the underlying cause is essential, and sometimes surgery or another procedure is necessary.

3. Medication
Appropriate pain relief is an important part of healing and recovery. Your dog needs to be comfortable enough to rest, move appropriately and participate in rehabilitation without continually aggravating their pain. Your vet can advise what is appropriate for their condition.

4. Complementary therapy
Myotherapy, rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, laser therapy and other complementary therapies can support pain management, comfortable movement, muscle function and recovery.

5. Diet & supplements
Good nutrition supports overall health, and some supplements may benefit your dog depending on their individual condition. Do your research or speak with a qualified veterinary nutrition professional. Some supplements can interact with medications, so make sure you're well informed before adding them.

6. Environment & exercise adaptations
Small changes can make a big difference. Non-slip surfaces, supportive bedding, reducing unnecessary jumping and adapting exercise can all help your dog move more comfortably.

Pain management isn't about finding one magic treatment. It's about putting the right combination of strategies together for the individual dog.

17/09/2026

Our dogs have many subtle ways of telling us that they are uncomfortable or trying to avoid discomfort.
If we could learn to recognise these small changes earlier, we may be able to help them before the problem becomes more significant.

Pain doesn’t always look like limping, crying or refusing to move. Sometimes it looks like a change in how they sit, lie, stand, walk, play or interact with us. It can also present as panting when they haven’t been exercising, increased licking or chewing at the same area or restlessness and difficulty settling.

These subtle changes can be easy to overlook, but they may be your dog’s way of telling you that something doesn’t feel right.
The best way to keep track of these subtle changes is to know what is normal for your dog. Pay attention to how they normally sit, lie, stand, walk, play and behave. Taking regular photos or short videos to show your vet can also be really helpful, particularly when changes are gradual and difficult to notice day to day.

10/09/2026

This cutie enjoyed her treatment in the comfort of her own sunny backyard. Smidge found coming to my consult room a bit overwhelming so we tried home visits which have worked out perfectly.
She is far more relaxed and receptive to treatment and it has shown in her soft tissues too!

I offer free travel up to 15kms of Wangaratta (minimum 45mins treatment).

04/09/2026

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month.
These are some of the ways ours pets tell us they are experiencing some discomfort.
Later in the month I will share with you some of the more subtle signs of pain in our dogs. They are so stoic that it can be difficult for us to see the early signs and help them sooner.

01/09/2026

There are many different reasons as to why dog owners reach out to me for a treatment and they all fit into the following categories;

For some dogs, it might be part of supporting repair and restoration after an injury.

For others, it's about supporting the body through the healing and remodelling process as they recover and adapt.

It can also be about maintenance helping a dog maintain the movement and function they already have, particularly as they get older or continue to be active.

But I think we sometimes forget that massage doesn't always have to be about fixing something.
Sometimes it just feels nice. It can help a dog relax, settle a busy or stressful mind and give them some quiet one-on-one time.

Massage isn't just about treating a problem, it can be about repair, recovery, maintenance or simply helping a dog feel good 🥰

28/08/2026

Look at that smooshie face 😍
Adorable Gunner during his massage and definitely the vibe I'm looking for this weekend, relaxing in the beautiful sunshine.
Happy Friday 🌞🌞

21/08/2026

I just love seeing your dog stretch. Firstly, it gives me a really good look at where their range of movement is at. Can they stretch through the front and the rear? Do they stretch one more than the other? Is there a difference between the left and right sides? And secondly, it just looks so satisfying!

During a treatment I will use a treat to lure your dog into different positions, encouraging them to create what we call a voluntary or active stretches.
By asking your dog to create the movement themselves, I can see what their body is actually comfortable and capable of doing. I can watch how easily they bend through their neck and spine, whether they can reach towards both shoulders and hips, how far they naturally choose to go and whether they find one direction more difficult than another.

It can also show me how they achieve the movement. Are they actually bending through their spine or moving their feet and whole body around instead? Do they shift their weight away from one limb? Does one movement look smooth while another looks awkward or restricted?
All of that gives me useful information about where there may be stiffness, weakness, discomfort or compensation.

But active stretching isn't just an assessment tool. While your dog is following that treat, muscles are actively working to create the movement while others are gently lengthening. So we are encouraging mobility, flexibility, muscle activation and body awareness at the same time. And importantly, your dog remains in control of the stretch. I'm encouraging the movement rather than physically putting their body into a position. They decide how far they are comfortable going and that can tell me a lot too.

So while your dog may think they’re simply following a treat, I’m reading their movement while they’re stretching, moving and working on improving their mobility.