Forest Canine Massage

06/03/2026

🦹‍♀️⭐️Superstar Walter Shines at Crufts ⭐️🦹‍♀️

Yesterday was an incredibly special day for Walter, my wonderful 11-year-old Staffy client, who took to the stage at Crufts for the Obreedience Competition — and what a performance it was!

Competing as part of a team of four Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their handlers, Walter and his teammates achieved an incredible 2nd place in the Obreedience Final. A huge accomplishment for any dog, but especially meaningful as this was Walter’s final Crufts appearance. What a way to celebrate such a brilliant career! 🥈💙

Walter has been receiving regular Clinical Canine Massage Therapy with me to help manage the effects of osteoarthritis, supporting his comfort, mobility, and overall wellbeing. Seeing him out there performing, enjoying himself, and doing what he loves at 11 years old is exactly why ongoing maintenance and proactive care are so important.

Arthritis doesn’t have to mean the end of activity or enjoyment for our dogs. With the right support, including bodywork, conditioning, and thoughtful management — many dogs can continue to live active, fulfilling lives well into their senior years.

I’m incredibly proud of Walter and so honoured to be part of the team helping keep him comfortable and moving well. Congratulations to Walter, Leah Hill, and the whole team on such a fantastic result! 🎉🐕

Here’s to celebrating our senior superstars and giving them the support they deserve. 💪🐾

04/03/2026

Massage in the sun with Otto ☀️And look what’s that overhead? Blue sky 💙

Otto has had his precrufts massage ready for competing in the main ring Friday and Sunday. Good Luck Michelle Waugh & Otto 🍀

21/02/2026

🐾Canine Massage Guild 🐾

I have been a member of the Canine Massage Guild for 5 years and this is why ⬇️

The Canine Massage Guild represents a national network of Clinical Canine Massage Practitioners. It aims to provide high-standard, results-driven massage therapy for dogs, focusing on soft tissue injury rehabilitation and chronic pain management.

✨Key Features:
▪️Professional Standards: All members must complete a rigorous 2-year Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme (900+ hours of study) accredited by Lantra.
▪️The Lenton Method®: Practitioners are trained in this specific methodology, which has been subject to clinical trials with the University of Wi******er and Sparsholt University Centre to prove its efficacy.
▪️Veterinary Collaboration: Members work strictly under veterinary consent in accordance with the Veterinary Act 1966.
▪️Therapist Register: The Guild maintains an online Therapist Register to help owners find qualified practitioners in their local area
▪️ Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Each year, members complete a minimum of 25 hours of ensuring our knowledge and skills stay current and evidence-based.

For dog owners, this offers real peace of mind, knowing your therapist is fully qualified, properly insured, works with veterinary consent, communicates with your vet when required, and always puts your dog’s safety and wellbeing first.

16/02/2026

🐾 Veterinary Reform - Time for Change 🐾

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 is nearly 60 years old and no longer fit for purpose.

I am sick and tired of seeing unqualified individuals calling themselves professionals when, in reality, they have completed an online programme consisting of short written answers and quizzes. These so called professionals are able to set up businesses “treating dogs” without ever having put their hands on a dog during their training. It’s just utter madness.

As a canine massage therapist, I’ve invested years in developing my knowledge and skills. I completed a rigorous two-year, 900+ hour clinical programme with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre (CMTC). I’m trained in four core disciplines of massage, alongside the unique Lenton Method™.

I adhere to strict ethical standards, maintain full insurance, and require mandatory veterinary consent before treatment begins. I continually invest in ongoing CPD, hands-on clinical experience, collaboration with vets and other professionals, and further qualifications, all of which involve significant financial commitment and personal sacrifice, because the work that I do truly matters.

This isn’t about me blowing my own trumpet. It’s about ensuring the care I provide is safe, ethical, evidence-based, and fully compliant with current regulations.

Let’s be honest — would you place your dog in the hands of anyone less qualified?

Right now, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is reviewing and overhauling the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. The proposed reforms aim to better protect titles such as Veterinary Nurse and begin regulating Allied Professionals — which would mean licensing to practise.

I genuinely welcome this reform. Our dogs deserve properly qualified, accountable professionals. And you, as owners, deserve clarity and confidence about who is treating your dog.

If you’d like to be part of the conversation, have your say using the link in the comments. The consultation closes on March 25, 2026.

14/12/2025

Are any of your dogs expecting a massage from me Wednesday 17th at 10:30? I have an appointment slot booked but no dog name🤦‍♀️

29/10/2025

⭐️FREE TALK THIS EVENING - importance of warm up and cool downs ⭐️

Pace Therapy offers veterinary physiotherapy to canine and equine patients in addition to human sports massage in Lincolnshire

19/10/2025

Learn some massage techniques that you can do with your dog at home ⬇️. This FREE event is not to be missed. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

The Canine Massage Guild is a network of highly skilled Professional K9 Massage Therapists specialising in the rehabilitation of dogs

16/10/2025

This is just wonderful news. My 2 years training with the CMTC will now be recognised as a Level 5 Dipolma in Clinical Canine Massage 🤩

We're delighted to announce an exciting qualification development partnership with Natalie Lenton and the Canine Massage Therapy Centre Limited resulting in the creation of the GA Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Canine Massage.

This Ofqual regulated qualification sets a new benchmark for professional excellence in Canine massage therapy. It brings together advanced studies, in anatomy, pathology, and clinical techniques to manage soft tissue injuries and provide chronic pain management for orthopedic conditions like arthritis and others.

The qualification provides over 60 techniques in 4 disciplines of massage which includes sports massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue and myofascial release both the direct and indirect approach. On top of this, exclusive to the qualification is the Lenton Method of myofascial release, the only method of canine massage in the world backed by evidence based research as published in the Veterinary Record by the British Veterinary Association.

Combining Natalie and her teams extensive expertise from the last 15 years as an industry leader in the canine massage industry with Gatehouse Awards - Animal Care and Veterinary Science reputation for quality and innovation, this collaboration marks a major step forward in evidenced based canine therapy education.

For information please contact Natalie and the team at info@k9-massage.co.uk or visit www.k9-massage.co.uk

Canine Massage Guild

13/10/2025

Happening Tonight. Don’t miss out ⬇️

10/10/2025

Check this out⬇️ Happening next Monday at 7pm on Zoom 👀

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟 Zoom Link Below!

We’re thrilled to reveal the first of our special guest speakers for Muscular Health Awareness Month! Join Natalie Lenton, the world’s leading expert in canine massage therapy, for her free talk:

🐾 "How to Spot Muscle Injury & Myofascial Dysfunction in Your Dog – FAST!"
🗓 Monday 13th October | 7pm | 1 hour

Perfect for both dog owners and canine professionals, this eye-opening session will help you understand the difference between muscular and fascial issues, recognise the early signs of injury, and learn what you can safely do at home — plus discover natural, effective ways to support your dog’s recovery.

Known for her down-to-earth, no-nonsense style (and her wicked sense of humour), Natalie doesn’t shy away from saying what needs to be said, so expect a frank, informative, and entertaining session!

All are welcome so please share this with your friends and colleagues ! No NEED TO REGISTER Just click the link to join in at 7pm on Monday 13th October
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87895583531?pwd=rkVJnu7aBaRXFaD5FOMszYbb7YThjY.1

Meeting ID: 878 9558 3531
Passcode: 718794

08/10/2025

Quiz time!

05/10/2025

Do you know how using the stairs affects your dogs muscular health? Check out this article I wrote for

How many times a day does your dog negotiate stairs? This includes stairs in the house, steps in the garden and their local environment! Things that rise…Does your dog follow you everywhere around the house? Do they trail behind you as you ascend the stairs or run past you and wait at the top? Do ...