Canine Massage and Fitness in Wellington, the Hutt Valley and the Surrounding Areas
Helping your dog move more comfortably, recover well, and stay active for longer
Maybe your dog hesitates before jumping into the car now. Maybe they're slower getting up after a nap, or your agility dog seems a bit off after a competition weekend.
Maybe the shuffle you've started noticing on walks feels like the beginning of something, not just old age.
Or maybe none of that's happened yet, and you'd simply like to keep it that way.
Whatever brought you here, you want your dog to move comfortably, and keep enjoying the things they love. And that's what I help with.
Together, we’ll make your dog’s day better.
My whole-dog approach: massage and fitness, together
Whether we’re building strength, recovering from injury, or keeping an older dog comfortable, working with combined massage and fitness sessions gets better, more lasting results than either alone.
I combine hands-on massage therapy with targeted fitness and mobility exercises, because each mode supports the other to deliver improvements that stack and build session after session.
Dogs that are active benefit from massage. Dogs that receive massage are more active.That's a loop that leads to better fitness and function. |
Which dogs benefit?
All dogs can benefit from massage therapy and targeted fitness, regardless of age, size, or activity level. Combining manual therapy with appropriate exercise supports better movement, comfort, and overall wellbeing throughout their life.
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Puppies and young dogs.
Young dogs are building the foundation for a lifetime of movement.
Confidence-building exercises and gentle handling help puppies learn how to move well from the start, and build comfort with touch before it's ever needed.
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Active dogs and canine athletes.
Active dogs and canine athletes need bodies that can handle their demanding lifestyles.
Whether your dog runs agility courses or hikes the hills, massage speeds recovery and targeted strength work helps catch small imbalances before they turn into injuries.
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Senior dogs.
Staying active shouldn't come with a use-by date.
The shuffle and struggle so many people accept as just old age often responds well to the right combination of movement and bodywork. Neither Wolly nor I are ready to accept old age as an answer, and I don't think your dog should have to either.
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Dogs recovering from injury or managing a chronic condition
Does your dog have hip dysplasia, luxating patella, or arthritis?
I work alongside local rehab professionals, picking up ongoing support once a dog is cleared from intensive rehab, so the gains made there don't slide backwards.
What happens on your first visit?
If your dog has had an injury or is experiencing pain, it makes sense that they may be sensitive to touch or hesitant about new experiences.
And if you're picturing something clinical, let me fix that.
Here's roughly how it goes:
I come to you.
In-home appointments mean your dog is in a familiar space, not a strange clinic with people they've never met.
We get to know one another.
No rushing in with hands out. While your dog decides how they feel about me, we'll chat through their history and what's brought you here.
I watch them move.
Walking, turning, getting up from sitting and lying down. This tells me a lot before I've even touched them.
They find their spot.
We work wherever they're comfortable. I don't use a table.
There are breaks (and snacks) whenever your dog wants one.
You get homework.
A few simple exercises to build on between visits, explained so you know why you're doing them.
No table, no restraint.
I use a cooperative process that puts your dog's comfort first, because I'm Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling certified and this is how I work with every dog, every time.
Many dogs who initially seem worried actually begin to enjoy and seek out their massage sessions once they realise how good it feels.
"Annie has been so helpful with both my dogs. Both who have had injuries and also now get regular massages. Annie is knowledgeable, responsive, and builds great connections with the dogs." - Google review
What working together looks like
In-home appointments are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, across Wellington and the Hutt Valley. Visiting you at home ensures a familiar environment for your dog.
Because I work at your dog's pace, sessions may run a little under or over the scheduled time. Your dog's comfort comes before the clock.
Here's what happens next
- Book your appointment
- Complete a short intake form
- I'll review everything and request your dog’s vet notes
- We meet in your home
- You receive a tailored plan, practical next steps, and ongoing email support.
Ready to get started?
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Foundation Session - $270
A 90-minute first session to assess where your dog's at, talk through your goals, and build a plan.
Best if you want an initial assessment, guidance on maintaining your dog's current condition, or you're simply not sure yet whether this approach is the right fit.
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Three-Session Bundle - $495
One 90-minute foundation session, then two 60-minute follow-ups to track progress and build your confidence.
Best if you're maintaining fitness in an active dog, managing mild mobility issues, or want to learn techniques you can keep using at home.
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Five-Session Bundle - $730
One 90-minute foundation session, then four 60-minute follow-ups for structured, ongoing support.
Best if your dog is a senior needing consistent care, recovering from injury or surgery, or you're working toward a sustained shift in strength and mobility.
Ongoing support is available through single sessions or convenient multi-session bundles.
Follow-up sessions build on your dog's progress. We'll review what's changed, adjust exercises where needed, and keep supporting their strength and movement over time.
Questions?
Not sure which option is right, or whether this is even the right fit?
Email annie@yourwholedog.co.nz or book a free 15-minute Connection Call and we'll figure it out together, no pressure either way.
All appointments are individual to you and your dog's circumstances and needs.
Every session includes:
- Comprehensive assessment - a thorough review of your dog's history, their movement patterns and posture.
- Massage therapy paired with exercises specific to your dog. PEMF and other bodywork modalities may be used as appropriate
- Personalised plan - written notes and resources after each visit, tailored to your dog's unique needs, your lifestyle, and your goals.
- Hands-on guidance - so you can support your dog between sessions with nutrition, weight management, home and lifestyle modifications as required
- Ongoing support - email support between appointments to keep you on track.
- Progress tracking and adjustments - ensures continued improvement, and the opportunity to refine as needed.
Why I do it this way
Massage and fitness aren't separate strings I picked up along the way. My own dogs are why I do this work at all.
Wolly came into my life frightened and nearly impossible to vet. Getting him comfortable with handling took years of cooperative care, and massage became part of how I did that. It was a way to make hands-on touch something he could learn to trust, rather than something to brace against. He's older now, gets taped for his twitchy back, and still stands for snacks.
Then came Tigg and with her, a hip dysplasia diagnosis when she was one. I learned firsthand how much a joint issue ripples out into the rest of the body: the compensations, the tight muscles, the movement patterns that get worse if left unaddressed. Strength work and massage have been part of her life ever since, and it's why she can still do the thing she loves most: full-tilt running and leaping. No sedate leash walks for Tigg!
I use these skills on my own dogs every day; it's what keeps them moving well.
(You can read more of the story here: How I Ended Up Doing This Work)
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