Free Muscular Health Check
Visiting a show with your dog? Scroll down for a list of shows and events to which you can take your dog for a free muscular health check with a Canine Massage Guild therapist.
What is a muscular health check?
Canine Massage Guild members regularly provide free muscular health checks for dogs at shows and events. By using a technique called palpation – the art of seeing with the fingertips or the ‘practice of informed touch’ – therapists assess around 50 pairs of muscles on your dog for injury and/or dysfunction.
Palpation takes a lot of time and practice to learn proficiently, so you will be glad to know that Canine Massage Guild therapists have been specifically trained in palpatory literacy and its use for the evaluation, analysis and assessment of your dog’s muscular health.
Muscular injury and myofascial pain (muscle pain which may be felt in seemingly unrelated parts of the body) often correspond to changes in a dog’s gait, posture, ability to perform daily activities, behaviour and performance, or what we call the ‘5 Principles of Pain’.
The muscular health check can help you understand why you may be seeing certain mobility issues or changes and so make an informed decision on the viability of clinical canine massage therapy for your dog.
Why is it beneficial for my dog?
The assessment can help you to understand areas of your dog’s body which may be subject to myofascial injury, strains (muscle tears), trigger points and areas of over-compensation, giving you a better picture of what might be hindering mobility and possibly causing sub-clinical pain. You will also receive advice on what you can do to help.
As we work with the Veterinary Act 1966 and Exemptions Order 2015 we cannot massage your dog at a show.
Existing clients
If you are an existing Canine Massage Guild therapist’s client, you are eligible for free warm-ups and cool-downs from them. Free doesn’t come very often so don’t miss the opportunity! It may be just what you’ve been looking for to aid your dog’s health and mobility, and give you a better appreciation of the muscular system’s power.
Canine Massage Guild Show Schedule
This section is regularly updated with new events added as member attendance is confirmed.
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
4th – 5th April
Two Bridges Flyball Event
Ottery Saint Mary
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
12th April
Workshop: Beginners Guide to Canine Massage
Bicknacre Memorial Hall
Bicknacre Road
Bicknacre
Chelmsford CM3 4ES
Instructor: Lisa Stilwell
Find out more
May 2026
9th May
Haldon Forest Dog Festival
Exeter
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
9th – 10th May
Blackdown Agility Show
Buckland Farm
West Buckland
Wellington
Somerset TA21 9LN
There will be a Guild therapist at this show
14th May
Woof About’s Pup on the Piazza
St Giles Piazza
London WC2H
Therapist: Hayley Miller
24th May
Dog Booty
Canine Welfare & Training
Unit 8 Lyneburn Industrial Estate
Dunfermline KY11 4JT
Therapist: Jen Holden
June 2026
6th – 7th June
Dogfest
Brighton
There will be several therapists on the stand each day
6th – 8th June
Blackdown Agility Show
Buckland Farm
West Buckland
Wellington
Somerset TA21 9LN
There will be a Guild therapist at this show
7th June
Workshop: Beginners Guide to Canine Massage
Bicknacre Memorial Hall
Bicknacre Road
Bicknacre
Chelmsford CM3 4ES
Instructor: Lisa Stilwell
Find out more
7th June
Ashcombe Farm Dogfest
The Village Hall, Ashcombe
Near Dawlish EX7 0QD
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
7th June
Meadows Festival
The Meadows
Edinburgh
Therapist: Jen Holden
12 – 14th June
Woofstock
Powderham Castle
Exeter EX6 8JQ
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
12th – 14th June
Blackdown Agility Show
Buckland Farm
West Buckland
Wellington
Somerset TA21 9LN
There will be a Guild therapist at this show
13th June
Ham Fair
Ham, Richmond
London
Therapists: Hayley Miller, Su Clark and Jane Christie
20th – 21st June
Dogfest
Tatton Park
There will be several therapists on the stand each day
27th June
Mossley Hill Mini Festival
The Church of St Matthew & St James
Mossley Hill
Therapist: Tracy Taft
27th June
Muscular Health Checks @ K9Active
Unit 15C Dickson Street
Elgin Industrial Estate
Dunfermline KY12 7SN
Therapist: Jen Holden
28th June
Lucas Love Dogs Charity Event
St Martins AFC
Exminster EX6 8SP
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
July 2026
3rd – 5th July
Scottish Game Fair
Scone Palace
There will be several therapists on the stand each day
11th July
Paxfest
Little Paxton
St Neots
Therapist: Emma Long
19th July
A Dog’s Day Out
Traquair House
Innerleithen
EH44 6PW
Therapist: Jen Holden
25th July
Abakhan Artisan Market & Dog Show
Mostyn
North Wales
Therapist: Sarah Crimp
August 2026
8th August
Llanarmon-Yn-Ial Show
Mold
North Wales
Therapist: Sarah Crimp
15th – 16th August
Stonelands Lurcher, Whippet & Terrier Championship Show
Lower Knowle Road
Bovey Tracey
South Devon TQ13 9TX
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
20th August
Denbigh & Flint Show
Denbigh
North Wales
Therapist: Sarah Crimp
22nd August
Ellesmere Carnival
Shropshire
Therapist: Sarah Crimp
23rd August
Paignton Lions Dog Fun Day
Youngs Park
Goodrington
Young’s Park Road
Paignton TQ4 6BU
Therapist: Kirsti Deacon-Smith
30th August
Lewis Leap Dog Show
Cammo Estate
Edinburgh EH4 8AW
Therapist: Jen Holden
31st August
Cilcain Show
Mold
North Wales
Therapist: Sarah Crimp
September 2026
12th September
Livingston Cricket Club
10 Murieston Valley
Livingston
EH54 9HB
Therapist: Jen Holden
12th – 13th September
Dogfest
Harewood House
There will be several therapists on the stand each day
12th – 13th September
Blackdown Agility Show
Buckland Farm
West Buckland
Wellington
Somerset TA21 9LN
There will be a Guild therapist at this show
19th September
Muscular Health Checks @ K9Active
Unit 15C Dickson Street
Elgin Industrial Estate
Dunfermline
KY12 7SN
Therapist: Jen Holden
20th September
Chiswick House Dog Show
Chiswick House & Gardens
On the Cricket pitch by Staveley Rd entrance W4 3ES
Therapist: Lucy Rose, Hayley Miller, Su Clark & Jane Christie
October 2026
3rd – 4th October
Dogfest
Blenheim Palace
There will be several therapists on the stand each day
4th October
Blackdown Agility Show
Buckland Farm
West Buckland
Wellington
Somerset TA21 9LN
There will be a Guild therapist at this show
17th – 18th October
Edition Dog Live
Stoneleigh
There will be several therapists on the stand each day
November 2026
December 2026
20th December
Workshop: Beginners Guide to Canine Massage
Bicknacre Memorial Hall
Bicknacre Road
Bicknacre
Chelmsford CM3 4ES
Instructor: Lisa Stilwell
Find out more
Clinical Canine Massage - discover the difference it can make to your dog!
Find a therapist
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What to expect
Find out why your dog might need a massage and what to expect in our Owner Zone.
What people say
Read some of the many testimonials from satisfied Canine Massage Guild clients.

I first brought Sam to see my Guild Therapist when he was 7-years-old. He had started slowing down on walks, and looked a little sad. I thought Clinical Canine Massage would help him to grow old more gracefully. How wrong was I! After three sessions I got a younger version of my dog back, he acted like a 2-year-old puppy again. I would highly recommend Clinical Canine Massage to anyone! Sam is now 13 loves a day out on the trails or hills.
Wull, my 11-year-old Labrador, retired from competitive agility following surgery for a cervical disc extrusion. I noticed he had a’ twitching skin’ response along the length of his back when touched. After just three Clinical Canine Massage sessions, Will is much happier, his overall mobility has improved and he’s wanting to play with the pup again. #agilitydog #surgery #MFP

