Canine Massage in Plain English Clean Run Productions LLC Subtitle: Taking the Mystery Out of Massaging Your Dog Author: Natalie Winter Format: Paperback, Full Color Length: 112 pages Release Date: Fall 2009 We owe it to our dogs to give them the best care we can possibly give. Massage is much more than just a tool to help your dog relax and feel good. It has important health benefits. Massage can: * Ease chronic pain * Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow (the body's natural defense system) * Increase joint flexibility * Improve range of motion * Decrease recovery time for injuries * Reduce post-surgery tissue adhesions and swelling * Help canine athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous activity as well as decrease the risk of injury * Calm dogs with stress or behavior problems * Bring both you and your dog benefit through the power of touch This do-it-yourself book is presented in a step-by-step format to give you the tools you need to massage your dog. And, you don't have to understand canine anatomy to be successful. The techniques are presented in plain English with easy-to-read directions and over 125 color photos to guide you. The information is broken into sections, so if you don't have time to give your dog a full body massage, you can spend 5 or 10 minutes working on specific areas. This sensible approach to canine massage is a must for all dog lovers and will encourage even the most skeptical readers to give it a try. For participants in agility, flyball, hunting tests, lure coursing, obedience, and other dog sports, Canine Massage in Plain English contains a complete chapter dedicated to the performance dog. It includes information on getting your dog fit as well as warming up and cooling down your dog. About the Author Natalie Winter has been a full-time, certified Canine Massage Therapist since 2001, earning her certification through Equissage in Northern Virginia while living in the U.S. for four years. She has been involved in the performance side of the canine world for over 19 years, gaining more than 80 titles in two countries for agility, obedience, confirmation, and endurance. She has competed with Border Collies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and now has added a rescue dog to her family. She and her husband Geoff live in Nowra, New South Wales, Australia. She has successfully worked on hundreds of dogs including some of the best canine athletes on both the East and West Coasts of the U.S., as well as Australia and does a number of presentations to assist in prevention of injury to canine athletes, which is where her passion lies.