Puppy Dog Tales From the Graduates

Luna's Story by Christie Greene

From Balance Your Dog: Canine Massage

As a fledgling massage therapist in the fall of 2001, I received a request to massage an injured Belgian Malinois called Luna. Allison Henry, Luna's companion and trainer, had recently imported Luna from France in order to compete in Schutzhund trials.

Luna's injuries had actually occurred at a veterinarian's office when she was placed on a heating pad following surgery. Allison's discussions with another veterinarian reinforced her belief that Luna would greatly benefit from massage therapy to accelerate her healing process.

The first time I knelt by Luna's side, I was distressed to see the extent of her wound, which encompassed most of her right side. I noticed an unpleasant odor that I later found out was from a healing staph infection. Unfortunately for Luna, the heating pad created third degree burns over an area approximately 10 x 24 inches. When Luna returned home following her surgery, Allison noticed Luna's hair coming out and the skin on her right side was black and leathery.

Luna endured three surgeries, several types of antibiotics, and received much TLC from Allison. Despite the quality of her care, Luna's burned skin developed a serious staph infection. Luna's condition declined to the extent that she rarely left her crate. Eventually, veterinarians were forced to surgically remove the burned skin and stretch Luna's healthy skin from the belly area up to meet the unharmed skin along her spine.

I visited Luna and Allison every week or two for several weeks to administer massage, and I could see Luna’s wound improving with each visit. By increasing blood flow to the injury site and aiding in the removal of toxins and waste products in Luna’s cells, massage helped her wound heal remarkably quickly. She began doing the work she loved and had been so well bred and trained to perform; Schutzhund. Allison and Luna competed at the 2002 Schutzhund Nationals and finished 11th out of 49 dogs, quite a feat for a dog who had so recently experienced such trauma. Luna continues to receive massage once or twice a month to help her with muscle stiffness and soreness that often result from her training sessions and competitions.

Other Graduates...

Graduates keep in touch with each other and Dr. C. Sue Furman and share success stories and questions.

Massage strengthens the bond between you and your four-legged companion. Pictured is Susan Dodson, Mt. Run Kennels, Culpepper, VA. (mtkennels@erols.com)	Tucker relaxes as Susan begins the massage. Pictured is Susan Poyser-Soros. In Harmony Canine & Equine Massage Therapy, Colleyville, TX. (susan@soapgoddess.com)
Tucker, one of instructor Dr. C. Sue Furman's dogs, is always a willing participant for those class attendees who cannot bring their own dog. Pictured is Karen Schlipf, New Friend Dog Obedience, Wheaton, IL. (karenschlipf@aol.com)	Graduates from the spring 2000 class in Tennessee with a canine skeleton as an important study tool. Pictured are Becky Fosher, Double J Pet Ranch, Greeley, CO; Suzi Zielinski; Susan Poyser-Soros and Barbara Hansen, Longmont, CO.
Massage benefits dogs who participate in agility courses. Klyde runs the A frame for Becky.
Check back often to see recent graduates.