Interview With Vreli Middleton

Posted on by December 7, 2017
Interview With Vreli Middleton

Mikamar Interviews Vreli Middleton — Canine Massage Therapist

I met Vreli at an agility show in Arcadia, Florida over the summer. She was doing canine massage and I asked her to work on my dogs. We talked a lot about natural remedies.  The work she did was impressive. I was so intrigued by her story, that I asked to interview her. If you see her at a show, your dogs will be thrilled to hop up on her table!   — Marie

 

Where are you from, and what brought you here?

I’m from the South West of England, the county of Cornwall.  It’s one of the larger tourist areas, kind of the Florida of the UK.

I first came to Florida on vacation many years ago and I fell in love with it then.  The whole way of life here was just what I wanted and knew at some point this was where I would be.

What made you choose a career in massage? Was there a “life-changing” moment?

There wasn’t really a eureka moment as such.  Over the years my dogs had several problems, arthritis, cruciate surgery, spondylosis and various other surgeries.  A couple of times vets would say ‘massage could help’, they just meant to do it myself.  I’m sure at that time most of them had no idea people specialized in canine massage!!  I’d worked with dogs for a number of years, needed a new direction working with dogs and the comments the vets had made got me wondering if there was actually professional training in canine massage available.  The rest, as they say, is history.  It’s the old cliché, I just wanted to make a difference….and I just knew this was it.  I’d found my calling I guess!!

Tell us a little about your life with your pets and your family?

My involvement with dogs spans many years.  I showed my Rottweilers in confirmation, including Crufts.  I worked my GSD’s in working trials, a sport based on police K9 disciplines.  I bred 2 litters of working GSD’s, my girl Tasha is the firstborn of the first litter, she was 12 in October.  Most of those pups went on to have very successful careers in working trials, one girl became a champion and holds the current record of 11 challenge certificates, the most ever held by a female GSD…very proud momma!  I have the most wonderful husband who totally supports me with furthering my business and will come to some of the trials closer to home when he can.

How long have you been in canine massage?  What is your particular expertise, or what do you specialize in?

I’m in my 6th year of practice, 5 years in the UK, where I was also an assistant tutor with the canine massage therapy center.  I moved to Florida last year and have been practicing here since.
Although I work with dogs of all ages and from all walks of life, working & sports dogs are my specialty.  I’m trained in 4 disciplines of massage;  Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release.  It’s the myofascial work that really gets results and makes all the difference to the comfort and mobility of the dogs I work with.

What common issues do you see with the clients you have?

The most common injuries are strains (tears in the muscle fibers).  Many as a result of the slippery flooring we have here in Florida.  That is the number 1 cause of injury in dogs.  I’ve helped rehab too many dogs that have lost the use of their hind legs as a result of this.  Thankfully they have returned to mobility but will never move correctly again.  I encourage owners to use non-slip rubber backed runners to help their dogs deal with these surfaces, and minimize the risk of injury.

What do you enjoy most about canine massage?

Where do I start…!!!  I enjoy seeing the relief on the dogs face because it can relax and the pain has gone; knowing a dog can return to work or sports after an injury, and even getting on the bed or sofa unaided again.  There are so many things.  I get excited about a little old dog cocking his leg…but when he’s not done it in 2 years and now he can because I’ve worked with him…that is massive!

I know that my dogs love you!  Do any breeds/dogs give you more kisses than others?

It’s not really a breed thing.  Some dogs are just more kissy than others!  What is wonderful is when I get a kiss and the owner says ‘that’s a first’, makes me feel very special and that I’ve made that difference.

What do you feel are the benefits of massage for canines?

So many!  Easing sore tight muscles, helping dogs relax, rehabilitation after injury or surgery, improving circulation, building confidence with nervous or rescue dogs, drug-free pain relief to name just a few.

How do you determine which technique to use on a particular dog? 

I assess each dog and adapt techniques according to the type of treatment the dog needs.  Some techniques are not suitable for a dog that is going to be running in a competition that day or the next. Myofascial restrictions can be aggravated by incorrect techniques and I won’t do a relaxing massage for a dog that is about to run an event, they need to be ready to run not sleep!  Like people, some dogs don’t like the lighter strokes, they find them aggravating and prefer a firm pressure so it is important to be able to read the dog and work with it.

How far apart do sessions need to be?

If I’m working with a dog that is starting rehab from an injury I recommend 3 sessions a week apart.  Then move to a maintenance plan which varies according to the dog.  We could be looking at every 8 – 10 weeks or weekly depending on age, activity level and the issues we are working with.  For a fit young working dog, I suggest a good full body session 3 or 4 times a year with maintenance between depending on how much work the dog is doing.  As the dog ages, it needs a little more to help cope with the aging body so a more frequent bodywork plan is more beneficial.

In your experience, have you found any breeds more prone to injury than others?

No one breed seems more prone to injury than another, but some breeds are more prone to a type of injury, i.e. long-backed dogs like Dachunds get more lumbar area issues, Whippet & greyhound types seem to suffer from myofascial restrictions.

What is the most important thing you would love all of your clients to know?

It is so important for owners to watch their dogs for any signs of discomfort, lameness, change in temperament, avoiding activities they once did like jumping in the car or on the bed.  Dogs are experts at hiding problems.  It is our responsibility as their guardians to be aware of subtle changes in mood, behavior or movement that can mean the difference in a dog suffering silently with pain or not.

For more information on Canine Massage, go to Vreli’s webpage
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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Mikamar.net

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A Note About Retractable Leashes

Posted on by November 4, 2017
Retractable Leashes

..Many years ago, I was taught by a mentor to use retractable leashes while caring for and walking client dogs for the conformation ring. We often held two or three dogs at a time on these “cords”. Unfortunately, I was about to learn a hard lesson.

I was taking a dog out of the car when the leash was yanked out of my hand.  It hit the cement-paved walkway. I am always very careful, so I do not know how it was pulled from my hand.  He panicked from the sound and took off running towards the highway. It was early morning and quiet, I was alone, and the air was still.

I remember the very loud sound the handle made as it bounced and smashed the ground on the cement walkway directly behind him.  I watched him run full speed in panic being chased by this loud, frightening thing. As he fled, it whipped around and even smacked into him. He could not run fast enough to escape it. I was in full pursuit, running as fast as I could, screaming his name. He was saved from the highway by deciding to duck into a corner wall. Thankfully, he saw a place he could hide.

It was the only thing that stopped the heavy handle of the retractable leash from terrorizing him. He had no idea what it was. If it had not been such a quiet morning, I would not have heard the awful noise that he heard. I caught up to him as quick as I could and took him back to the car. My heart stopped that day when I realized what could have happened. I swore I would never look at another retractable lead again, and I never did.

Dr. Ragona of Cocoa Villiage AWC  recently wrote a note to her clients that I felt was important to share with you. She has kindly granted me permission, and here it is. –Marie

Dear Clients,

It is with regret that I must report yet another sad story about retractable leashes. Recently a patient was injured by running to the end of the leash with too much momentum.  The patient was chasing a squirrel and received a whiplash type injury affecting all four limbs neurologically.

I am sure many of you have heard my “soap box” lecture about these leashes.  PLEASE understand it is only due to safety. Many people purchase because they love their pet and want to give them the freedom to run and play. I completely understand but this freedom has caused many injuries to animals and people.

To date, my personal experience has included a dog fatally hit by a car, clients tangled and falling, tangled dogs in a fight–impossible to untangle with bite wounds to my client, and well as many neck injuries that have been correctable BUT totally avoidable on a proper leash.

Below are some reasons veterinarians and animal professionals DO NOT recommend the Flexi-leash.
Please read:

REMEMBER: FLEXI RETRACTABLE LEASHES ARE ILLEGAL IN BREVARD COUNTY DUE TO LENGTH OF LEASH AFFECTING SAFETY OF PET AND HUMAN.

Reasons Not to Use Retractable Leashes: quoted from Dr. Karen Becker

 “The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.

 In the above scenario or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It’s much easier to regain control of – or protect — a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he’s 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.

 If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, ‘road rash,’ broken bones, and worse.

 Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash. This includes neck wounds, lacerated tracheas, and injuries to the spine.

 Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog’s fear is then “chasing” her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can’t escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes but also of being walked.”

For these reasons and more, I ask that my clients use regular leashes only when visiting the clinic.

Sincerely,
Dr. Donna Ragona
Animal Wellness World/ Cocoa Village AWC

 

Retractable Leashes

 

 

Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Mikamar.net

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Guest Blogger: Tiffany Aytes Lovell

Posted on by November 5, 2017
Guest Blogger Tiffany Aytes Lovell

 

I am Tiffany Aytes Lovell. Like many in the pet professional world, I grew up with animals as a little girl and our family was never without at least two pets. After becoming burned out working in the mortgage and real estate fields, I decided that working with the animals I loved would be a better fit. Before transitioning into professional training, I worked in two busy veterinary clinics learning as much as I could about caring for animals of all kinds.

It was while working in one of these clinics that I met an amazing couple who ran a local, force-free dog training business. Shortly after, my husband and I adopted our first puppy together. We enrolled in Brad and Lisa’s beginner class and the rest, as they say, is history. I absolutely loved teaching and training my dog with positive reinforcement and knew I wanted to learn more. My career evolved from there by becoming an apprentice at Cold Nose College in Murphy, NC and simultaneously going back to school (while still working as a vet assistant) to obtain the very first Animal Assisted Interactions degree in the country.

Throughout the last eleven years, I have prided myself on continuing my education and gaining as much knowledge and expertise as I can to help my clients and their dogs. In addition to my degree, my qualifications include:

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Certified Separation Anxiety Specialist (CSAT)
Fear Free Certified Professional
Low-Stress Handling Professional
The Family Dog Private Trainer
Graduate of Pat Miller’s Level I & II Academies
Cold Nose College Apprentice Graduate
Professional Member, APDT (Assoc. of Professional Dog Trainers)
Professional Member, PPG (Pet Professional Guild)

My dog training career has led me to experience many different forms of teaching and training for clients, their dogs, and even other trainers. These include group classes, in-home training and behavior counseling, seminars and workshops, online, remote training and community education events.

Currently, a large portion of my time is devoted to my specialty in separation anxiety and isolation distress. This online training allows me to help people and their dogs all over the world. It is truly my passion to help fearful and anxious dogs feel more comfortable in their world.

I feel very fortunate to be able to educate others about the power of positive reinforcement training every day. I am not just a firm believer in force-free, fear-free training and handling because of what I’ve read or been told. I believe in it because I see the actual results in my own dogs and my clients’ dogs.

I also have the unfortunate opportunity to see the real-life results of aversive techniques and tools on dogs quite often. This happens when someone calls to inquire about training because their dog is displaying signs of aggression and/or fear. In most of these cases, we are able to determine quite quickly that the dog’s new behavior began following the use of a choke chain, prong, e-collar (shock collar) or other aversive tool or technique the client was told to use.

It is heartbreaking every time I meet with someone and have to explain what they unknowingly did to the dog they love. Many of these people were just doing what they were told to do without stopping to ask how it would truly affect the dog psychologically and behaviorally.

This is why it’s imperative to seek out a professional, force-free trainer who values their education, is knowledgeable about canine body language and only uses force-free, positive reinforcement techniques and tools. It’s helpful to remember if you wouldn’t do it to your two-year-old child; you shouldn’t do it to your dog.

People often tell me their dog is too old to learn or change their behavior. That couldn’t be further from the truth and I always love showing clients how much their adult dogs can learn. It goes without saying that teaching and training puppies when you first bring them home is the ideal time to start. But our dogs never stop learning, just like us.

It saddens me when I hear people refer to their dog as stubborn or stupid because of their specific breed. All dogs are capable of learning. While breed characteristics should be taken into account when working with a dog, they should not be seen as negatives or obstacles to the learning process. Many breeds were bred for certain jobs or tasks and a good trainer will take advantage of those impressive traits and channel them into behavior suitable to the guardian and fun for the dog.

I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful people and dogs over the years. One of my favorite parts of this job is educating dog-lovers about how their canine companions actually communicate with them throughout the day using their body language. If my legacy is nothing more than helping humans and their dogs understand each other better and reach a stronger bond, I would be very proud.

–Tiffany

Learn more about Tiffany Aytes Lovell:

 

Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Mikamar.net

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