Your SAR, sporting, or athletic service dog needs to be a finely tuned machine capable of bursts of speed, hairpin turns, and working on and navigating between uneven surfaces. Your dog needs to be ready to deploy at any time and may be asked to perform in extreme conditions. 

Injury is heartbreaking and results in costly setbacks. 

Massage is an essential tool in your training and conditioning program to keep your dog and team operating at peak performance. 

• Peak condition: Short, stimulating massages before and after intense exercise, as well as regular, longer maintenance massage can help keep your dog in that peak condition you need when deploying or attending that sporting event. 

• Reducing injury: Keeping the muscles and connective tissues toned and flexible helps prevent injuries from occurring. Additionally, it can help speed recovery and reduce the likelihood of a recurring injury. 

• Reduced inflammation: When your dog does overexert, research has shown that massage after exercise reduces delayed onset muscle soreness and reduces the painful part of inflammation, while allowing the essential healing part of inflammation to continue. 

• Relaxation fosters good mental health & leads to team bonding. Another aspect of managing an energetic, high-drive dog is dealing with that energy level during downtime. Ideally, your dog should be able to relax when not training or at work. Massage can foster a relaxed state of being, as well as building a deeper bond with that essential member of your team.