Skip to content

Quesnel massage therapist takes away the aches and pains in our four-legged friends

”Dogs have always been my passion,” says Cindy Redmile
27808641_web1_220127-QCO-DogMassageTherapist-Wags-for-Wellness_1
Cindy Redmile is a certified K-9 massage therapist servicing Quesnel and area through Wags for Wellness K-9 Massage & Therapy. (Photo submitted)

It’s more than just a friendly rub under the chin Cindy Redmile gives dogs that get their tails wagging.

Redmile became a certified K-9 massage therapist nine years ago and currently provides mobile services in Quesnel and area.

“Sometimes by the second or third session, they know why I’m there. They’ll come right over to me and sit right in my lap like ‘I’m ready, I’m here for my massage’,” she said laughing.

“They start remembering I’m the girl that helps make them feel better.”

During the first massage, Redmile can typically tell she is providing some sense of restfulness by reading and communicating through the body language of her four-legged client.

“It’s definitely in their face, it’s in their eyes. They lie down, they relax and their eyes get soft,” she added.

Dog-owners also provide beneficial feedback.

Some dogs return to jumping up in the back of their owner’s vehicle that they had previously avoided because they were sore. Others happily sit or lie in slightly different positions.

Just like people who injure themselves and never seek medical advice or treatment, Redmile said stiffness and soreness of muscles and joints could also set in for injured dogs.

“We don’t think about it,” she said.

“We think our dogs are invincible, which they like to think they are too, and show that they are, but they really do need the help to be physically healthy and well.”

It was nine years ago that Redmile received her certification after completing what she described as an ‘intense’ online 16-month course.

Dogs have always been a passion of hers.

Previously she lived in Vancouver, where she worked at two separate gyms providing personal training and rehab and believes that background strongly applies to the additional knowledge she uses now to help dogs.

Although nearly all dogs can benefit from a massage just like people, most dogs she sees are aging or injured.

“My vision and my goal would be to taper out my day job and do more of what I love, which is my canine massage therapy,” Redmile said, noting she works full-time from home with Excel Interior Remediation Services.

While it was some time ago, Redmile said she might have gotten a surprised or disapproving reaction to being a certified K-9 massage therapist, opinions have changed.

She believes more people are open to other alternative and natural therapies for their pets.

“I feel like people are seeking out alternative treatments to help their furry friends because dogs nowadays are our fur babies — they’re really part of the family.”

Redmile said she hopes to complete a hydrotherapy course for dogs and get a pool within the next year.

Read More: Pandemic sparked puppy boom in B.C., but no spike in pet returns: BC SPCA

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com



Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.