Areas covered: Gwynedd, Dolgellau, Y Bala & surrounding areas
Tel: 07754 890147
Email: k9bodybalance@gmail.com
Website: www.k9bodybalance.co.uk
About the therapist
Hello, my name is Karen and I run K9 Body Balance, now based in Gwynedd, North Wales, covering Dolgellau, Y Bala and the surrounding areas. Previously, my business was in the South East of England before moving it to North Wales in June 2025. I grew up surrounded by the family dogs, and then later my own dogs, including Ben, a Labrador Cross, who started my journey towards clinical canine massage therapy. Ben started showing intermittent lameness that was diagnosed as arthritis in his elbow, and then, at 10 years old, he ruptured his left cranial cruciate ligament requiring TPLO surgery. It was at this stage that I started exploring alternative complementary therapies to help Ben have the best quality of life in his later years. That is when I came across canine massage therapy and how it could have such a positive outcome for dogs like Ben.
I have trained for 2 years with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre, with additional diplomas in Canine Communication, Canine Nutrition and Canine Anatomy, and am fully insured. I use the four main disciplines of canine massage – Swedish, Sports, Deep tissue and Myofascial release, and the Lenton Method® – offering treatments in your own home to allow your dog to relax in a familiar environment. Each treatment is bespoke for your dog’s needs ensuring that they get the most from their therapy.
Clinical Canine Massage is a holistic and non-invasive complementary therapy that helps with the rehabilitation of soft tissue and muscular injuries that you might see as lameness, limping or slowing down; and provides pain management for orthopaedic conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia. It helps to improve mobility and activity levels in the dog; as well as benefiting the way the dog feels by relieving pain, inducing relaxation and boosting the immune system, enabling the dog to enjoy life again. This is a powerful therapy and is suitable for all dogs regardless of their breed or age. Results are often seen in 1-3 sessions.
Remember, dogs are often very stoic, hiding the fact that they have an injury or pain, so it is up to you, as the owner, to watch and listen to what they tell you. Check out my website for more information about the signs and symptoms.
I am doing my dream job and it truly is something special to be able to see significant changes to a dog’s health and mobility as a direct result of the skills I have.
Cost
Initial Consultation (approx.1.5 hours) = £45
Follow Up/Maintenance Treatments (approx.1 hour) = £40
Client Comments
I have used K9 Body Balance now for over 4 months and highly rate Karen. I have two Kings Charles Spaniels, Pip & Tilley, one that suffers a great deals of pain through her shoulders and spine and the other that suffers with her hips. After using Karen I have seen a dramatic difference in the movement of both dogs. Walking them is now a pleasure as I can see the dogs running with ease, as muscles are free and not so tense. The massage techniques and thermotherapy that Karen uses certainly aids the dogs physically and mentally.
Sally – Pip & Tilley, King Charles Spaniels
Karen has been so fabulous with our dog Amber, following the surgery on her knee. Karen not only understands Amber’s breed, knee, and hip dysplasia but also her anxious behaviours associated with the pain she has been in. Karen has been so patient with Amber and Amber is much more comfortable after her treatments. Karen has been an essential part of Amber’s recovery and a great encouragement to us as a family. Highly recommended.
Lynsey – Amber, Cocker Spaniel
It was lovely to observe Karen working with Bob, gaining his confidence and allowing her to manage him. He relaxed and trusted her. My main aim was achieved. Karen gave full feedback which was very helpful and informative. Karen will benefit and help many dogs with her skills.
Ros – Bob, Border Collie
I’m so pleased that we met Karen. Milly really seems to really enjoy her massages and is so deeply relaxed afterwards that she takes to her bed and doesn’t move for several hours, even if someone comes to the door!
She ruptured her left canine cruciate ligament in 2022 and underwent TPLO surgery. Recovery took several months and whilst she regained the vast majority of function she clearly still found squatting to pass urine an uncomfortable act. She would either squat whilst lifting her left leg, which made us worried that she may damage her right knee, or she would wriggle forwards whilst squatting. I nicknamed this her walking wee! We met Karen a year post op. and after just one session Milly was able to squat more on all four legs with no need for wriggling. After three sessions we noticed that she was squatting for longer so rather than performing lots of little voids, she tends to do one longer one. Her leg must feel more comfortable because another thing that we’ve noticed is that she runs more. She does far more ‘zoomies’ in the park when playing with other dogs which is really lovely to see.
Karen is so good with her, Milly is like putty in her hands and will get into whatever position Karen needs her to. Had I not seen how deeply relaxed she becomes, I would not have believed it. Thanks Karen.
Pauline – Milly, Goldador