Course in lymphatic massage for dogs
In my job as a canine physiotherapist, I very often meet dogs that have a lot of debris in their connective tissue. This causes the connective tissue to become tight, feel fluid-filled or the dog feels as if it is fat. This is often uncomfortable for the dog and causes it to restrict its movements. When it restricts its movements, it soon gets secondary tensions elsewhere in the body. Why then does this problem arise? It can be for a number of different reasons, but usually the dog’s lymphatic system is impaired for some reason and we need to help the dog with that. The lymphatic system is a very important part of the dog’s immune system. It helps transport fluid and white blood cells. It works as a waste system and works to remove all waste products in the body. The primary goal of the lymphatic system is to remove debris such as old, damaged and dead cells, toxins, remnants of medicines, viruses, bacteria, fat from the small intestine, etc. It picks up the fluid that has leaked from the capillaries and returns it to the circulatory system. Unfortunately, there are often minor or major blockages in the system and slag products accumulate in the connective tissue, which becomes like a big dump. It gives an increased risk of infections, inflammations, bacterial growth and other serious diseases.
Fortunately, we can help the dog with these problems. Lymphatic massage helps remove all waste products from the dog’s fascia and softens the connective tissue and activates the lymphatic system. It helps reduce a lot of pain in the dog’s body.
Target group
The course is primarily aimed at those who are dog masseurs, dog physiotherapists, canine therapists or animal health workers. You must have a thorough knowledge of dog anatomy. The course is also aimed at those who want to learn more about the lymphatic system and how you can help dogs to a better life through lymphatic massage. We will also go through how you can help yourself with your own lymphatic system.
The course in lymphatic massage for dogs consists of three course days.
Day 1 we focus during the morning on the lymphatic system. How it works, what it does, what symptoms we can see in the dog if it has problems with its lymphatic system. In the afternoon we start to look at the basics of lymphatic massage.
Day 2 we go into the fascia/connective tissue and how it is connected to the lymphatic system. We alternate theory and practice throughout the day and learn how to do a thorough fascia treatment to get rid of all waste products and how we then take them out to the large lymph stations.
On day 3, we put everything together for a full lymphatic massage. We alternate theory and practice throughout the day.
Lymph nodes
The dog has lymph nodes located everywhere in the body. These lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid as it passes through the nodes.
However, we have some stations that are bigger and more important than the others.
The dog has the largest station in the so-called clavicle pit on the neck.
But the dog also has large stations in the “armpit” and groin. So much of the massage technique involves loosening the fluid and waste products in the fascia and then “pushing” it towards the nearest major station.
Educational goals
After completing the course, the student must have extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of what the lymphatic system is, how it works and how to perform a lymphatic massage in an efficient and effective way. The student should feel confident in performing lymphatic massage on patients.
Planned course in English in 2025
22 – 24 of April 2025
Instructors
Graduated canine physiotherapist
Certified canine physiotherapist
Author of two books on dog massage
Certified lymphatic masseur/animal and human masseur
Graduated Laser therapist
Graduated NLP practitioner animal and human
Course literature
Self-written course compendiums from Healthy Dog Academy
The course is held
Gesällgatan 11, Enköping
About one hour drive from Stockholm. There are trains going from Stockholm to Enköping very regularly.
Entrance in the back of the building
Practical information
Lunch and coffee are included in the cost during the course days.
Your own dog can be brought during the training, then bring your own cage, water bowl, blanket
There will be practice dogs during the course days
Suggestions for accommodation if you come by car are First Camp Bredsand and Rotbrunna course and horse farm. Both places accept dogs. Accommodation within walking distance of the train and the course is the Best Western Hotel Astoria.
Cost and registration
The course costs SEK 6,500 SKR. We will send you an invoice by email.
Email utbildning@healthydogacademy.se if you have questions.
HDA reserves the right to change the date or cancel the course if there are too few participants.
