Healthy, Happy Hounds!
I’m Anna Shawcross. I’m a qualified canine osteopath, with over a decade’s experience in maintaining peak poochy performance.
Osteopathic treatment can help your dog to stay healthy, enjoy an active life, live longer, and avoid aches, pains and injury. I can also help with post-operative issues, injury recovery and rehab, and improve performance in working or agility dogs.
Osteopathic treatment, at my relaxed countryside location in West Sussex, is a gentle and enjoyable experience for your four-legged friend. I am a dog lover and owner myself and If you have any questions, I am on hand for advice and help whenever you need.
What is Dog Osteopathy?
Just like us, all animals which are physically active are at risk of experiencing joint, muscle or tendon problems. Osteopathic treatment, whether in dogs, horses or humans, works by using palpation (a highly-trained sense of touch) to diagnose musculoskeletal problems. The osteopath then uses hands-on techniques such as joint manipulation, mobilisation and massage, to move joints back into alignment, and treat soft tissues, ligaments and tendons which may be inflamed or damaged.
Osteopathy is a holistic treatment, meaning we consider the function of the body as a whole and how different systems affect one another. We improve joint movement, blood and nerve supply to all areas of the body. As well as improving musculoskeletal function, osteopathy for dogs can also improve proprioception, and the functioning of the digestive tract, bladder, bowel and kidneys.
You don’t need to see your vet first but sometimes it is helpful. Any serious joint problems such as hip or elbow dysplasia or cruciate ligament rupture must be seen by your vet. In these cases osteopathy can help support the rest of your dog’s joints and muscles to compensate for these injuries.
Pricing and Practicalities
Dog Osteopathy – 45-minute session:
At my house: £50
Home visit: £70 within a 30-minute drive
24-hour cancellation policy. There is a small fee for additional travel time, please contact me with your location for a price.
Sessions take place in my home in Graffham, where I am well set up to make your dog feel relaxed and at ease. Owners are required to be present during treatment.
To make an appointment for your dog or to discuss further, just use the contact details or form below.
How Will My Dog React to Osteopathy?
Dogs generally stay calm and enjoy osteopathic treatment. Dogs are incredibly sensitive and have very clearly show us where they need help and how long for. Be prepared, it is sometimes a very quick solution!
We will start with a detailed case history for your dog and questions about how your dog is exercised and the home environment. We will watch your dog moving in their natural way. Most of the time I will need you to hold your dog and reassure them when I examine their limbs and spine. Then we can discuss what I think the issue is and how I would like to treat your dog.
Your dog can find treatment tiring and thus should be allow to be relatively restful for 2 days post-treatment, with a gradual return to normal exercises levels. Allow your dog to choose for theirselves and let their behaviour be your guide!
Qualifications & Experience
Osteopaths are trained medical professionals who all undergo a 4-year Masters level degree course for the treatment of people. Osteopathy is one of the 14 recognised Allied Health Professions and you can also see osteopaths on the NHS (although your dog might not be so lucky.) We are registered and regulated in the UK by the General Osteopathic Council.
As a post-graduate you can go on to specialise in animal osteopathy, particularly in dogs and horses. I graduated in 2011, and having spent my life around animals this was a natural choice.
I completed my post-graduate animal osteopathy studies with The Osteopathic Centre for Animals led by Stuart McGregor. Stuart has been teaching the method for 40 years and is accepted as the ‘Father’ of animal practice.
Contact & Book Appointment
You can book an appointment with me in Graffham using the booking system below. Please note I book a 1 hour window for a 45-minute treatment session.
For visits to your location or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
- 01798 368 078
- hello@annashawcross.co.uk