Our Services
Comprehensive therapeutic massage tailored to your animal's needs.
Canine Massage Therapy
Massage therapy addresses a wide range of conditions including arthritis, post-surgical recovery, muscle tension, anxiety, inflammation and age-related stiffness and weakness. Each session is customized to your dog's specific needs, promoting relaxation, improved circulation, and enhanced mobility.
Feline Massage Therapy
Cats benefit greatly from gentle therapeutic touch. Feline massage sessions help with joint stiffness, muscle tension, anxiety reduction, and overall comfort. We use specialized techniques adapted for feline anatomy and temperament.
Equine Massage Therapy
Our equine massage sessions support performance horses and companion horses alike. We address muscle soreness and tension, adhesions, and myofascial restrictions to improve flexibility, freedom of movement, and aid in recovery from injury or strenuous activity.
Nervous & Touch-Averse Animals
This is Well in Hand's specialty. Many animals have had negative experiences with touch or are naturally anxious. We use patient, trust-building techniques to gradually introduce therapeutic contact, helping these animals experience the healing benefits of massage.
One-on-One Mentoring
Expand your knowledge of animal massage therapy through personalized mentoring sessions. Available in-person or virtually, these sessions are designed for animal care professionals who want to learn more about the potential clinical applications of massage or how massage can complement their offerings, students, and dedicated pet owners who want to learn proper techniques to enhance their pet's comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about pet massage therapy, answered.
Pet massage therapy uses hands-on techniques (Sports massage, acupressure, somatic work and more) to relax muscles, improve circulation, and relieve tension, promote mobility and help prevent injury or aid in recovery from existing injuries. Sessions are tailored to your pet's species, condition, and comfort level.
Regular massage can reduce pain and stiffness, improve mobility, speed recovery after surgery or injury, ease anxiety, and support overall well-being for pets of any age, from active athletes to senior companions.
Most pets relax quickly once they feel safe. We go at your pet's pace, using gentle, trust-building techniques, especially for animals who are nervous or touch-averse, so the experience feels calm and positive.
It depends on your pet's needs. Animals recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions often benefit from weekly or biweekly sessions, while healthy pets may thrive with monthly maintenance visits.
Massage is safe for most cats, dogs, and horses, but certain conditions such as fractures, infections, or some tumors require caution. We'll always ask about your pet's health history before starting.
Sessions begin with a brief check-in about your pet's health and goals, followed by a calm, hands-on massage in a comfortable setting, either in your home or at one of our partner locations. We'll share tips for continued care afterward.
Massage sessions take a bit longer in the beginning than they will once your pet has had a few sessions. The first session is 45 minutes to an hour because we go over everything, help your pet understand the process, and if this is their first massage, ever, they usually have quite a bit of tension to work out. In subsequent sessions, the goal is that there is less tension each time, so follow up visits are more on the order of 30 minutes. The main difference between humans and animals with massage is that our pets do not enjoy or need hour long sessions--an extremely long session overworks the muscles and taxes our pets' attention spans. The effectiveness of massage is not dictated by the amount of time, but by the amount of tension released!
Donated Massages for Dogs in Need
As part of a Comfort for Every Canine Initiative, AnnaLisa regularly donates massages to Philadelphia's local open intake shelter, ACCT to help dogs in need feel more relaxed and comfortable and to help gain them more attention for adoption. Learn how you can help!
Learn How You Can Help