Myth #3: If my animal isnʼt yawning and falling asleep, the massage isnʼt working.

This myth is the flip side of the "no pain, no gain" misconception. It's true that relaxation is generally a positive sign that good things are happening. However, I'll give you three thoughts to consider before you decide to use this as a way to judge the effects of a massage.

1. Sometimes important healing processes can be temporarily uncomfortable: physically, mentally or emotionally. A relaxing "sleepy-time" massage may offer certain benefits, but also in some cases be a missed opportunity for addressing deeper issues.

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Copyright © 2010 All About Animal Massage2. Your animal may be experiencing positive physical effects that might normally make him or her feel a little sleepy, but may be kept alert by something in the environment, or by their expectations of

something about to happen (like a meal or playtime).

3. One form of massage used commonly by athletes (human and animal) is to help prepare the body for physical exertion. This is known as "pre-event sports massage," which can not only help optimize performance, but also reduce the risk of injury. Putting the athlete to sleep would not, in most cases, help their performance!

So as you can see, it's important to consider the goal for each individual massage, and also to be observant of the environment and the animal's perspective. Yawns and deep relaxation are just two of many signs that a massage is "working."

Myth #1: Animals canʼt tell you where they have pain or tension since they canʼt talk.

Wrong! Animals are excellent communicators. They use facial expressions, postures, gestures, and even changes in their breathing to let us know how they're feeling. And unlike many humans, animals generally give constant and honest feedback as you massage them, without worrying about being polite. And when animals learn more about massage and bodywork by receiving it again and again, they get even better at communicating more accurately and more subtly.

More on politeness: Be aware that some animals trained to have excellent manners may at first be inhibited about communicating displeasure or pain during a massage. However, if you pay attention and respond to their subtle cues, they quickly learn that they can communicate with you and still be polite. Likewise, animals who overreact at first to something they don't like, and either threaten your safety or resist receiving massage, can

also learn to communicate more politely and productively, knowing that you will listen and adjust what you're doing to meet their needs.

New home for hemopet

Hemopet, the first and only national non-profit animal blood bank, and its laboratory diagnostic division, Hemolife, have relocated to a custom built, expanded new facility in Garden Grove, California. The new 20,000 square foot facility houses Hemopet's animal blood bank, the Hemolife laboratory, large living quarters for donor greyhounds, consultation and office space as well as an expanded conference room for professional veterinary and community seminars.  Robert Woods, D.V.M, offers on-site complementary veterinary therapies including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, hemeopathy, homtoxicology, nutraceutical therapy and flower essence therapy.  hemopet.org  source: Animal Wellness