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

 

Rupert is our 5-year-old Romanian rescue. He suffered a fracture to the same vertebrae twice. He became lame and was uncomfortable when we went to see our Guild Therapist. He is now a lot happier, more mobile and no longer taking painkillers after his sessions of Clinical Canine Massage.” #rescue #lameness #fracture

Rupert, Romanian rescue, fractured spinal vertebrae Lisa, Rugby
Rupert, Romanian rescue, fractured spinal vertebrae

Bramble my 3yr old Cockapoo suffers from hip dysplasia and arthritis. He is unable to weight bear evenly, causing him discomfort which makes him grumpy. After just 3 sessions he was walking much better and appeared far happier. This has been the best treatment for him.

Bramble, 3 years, Cockapoo, Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis 
Bramble, 3 years, Cockapoo, Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis

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.

Sam, Senior Dog Noanie Heffron
Sam, Senior Dog

Clinical Canine Massage Therapy has an amazingly therapeutic and relaxing effect on our energetic and intense 7-year-old Working Pointer. He suffers with a lame right foreleg with suspected Metacarpophalangeal Degenerative Joint Disease. This therapy has improved his body tension and relaxed him in a way that surprised us all! We have repeated the sessions with equal success. This is a must for all working dogs! The Guild Therapist is so knowledgeable and dedicated, we are so lucky to have found her. #pointer #MetacarpophalangealDegenerativeJointDisease #workingdog #pointer

Working Pointer, Metacarpophalangeal Degenerative Joint Disease Diane, Hertfordshire
Working Pointer, Metacarpophalangeal Degenerative Joint Disease

My 5-year-old Lurcher, Bobby, was showing signs of stiffness in one of his back legs. I was unsure if it was okay to continue agility training. During his Clinical Canine Massage, the Guild Therapist found that he had a muscular strain and associated tension. Afterwards he showed no signs of stiffness. I also received brilliant aftercare advice, which helped get Bobby back to agility again. Clinical Canine Massage helps me keep my dog fit and healthy for our hobby. #lurcher #agility #muscularinjury

Bobby, Lurcher, Agility, Muscular Injury Hannah Turner, Cambridgeshire
Bobby, Lurcher, Agility, Muscular Injury

Wull, agility, lab, myofascial painWull, 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

Wull, Labrador, Surgery, MFP Anna, Castle Douglas
Wull, Labrador, Surgery, MFP

I am very grateful to my Guild therapist for treating Oddie, my 7-year-old Collie Australian Shepherd cross, after he developed an abnormal gait. Oddie, is an air-scenting search dog, and he was not air scenting when he was in pain. Our Guild therapist was patient, professional, and attuned to Oddie’s experience. Clinical Canine Massage has helped smooth his gait. He now seems less stiff and more comfortable. He is doing better in training. After each treatment, he spends the rest of the day comfortably asleep. I would highly recommend Clinical Canine Massage. #collie #searchdog

Oddie, Collie, Australian Shepherd, Search Dog Laura, Buckinghamshire
Oddie, Collie, Australian Shepherd, Search Dog

Bailey, Golden Retriever, Arthritis, Cushing’s DiseaseOur 12 year-old Golden Retriever, Bailey, was really struggling with arthritis, on top of his Cushings disease. He doesn’t trust easily but the Guild therapist took time and patience to establish a relationship. What a difference!! Massage has not only improved his mobility he also so much happier and has a twinkle back in his eye. Don’t hesitate to try this therapy for your dog. #goldenretriever #goldies #guildtherapist #dogsarthritis #caninecushings #happydog

Bailey, Golden Retriever, Arthritis, Cushing’s Disease 
Bailey, Golden Retriever, Arthritis, Cushing’s Disease

Clinical Canine Massage has become an invaluable part of my terrier, Archie’s well-being. A couple of years ago when he was 14, he had a sore back and was finding his walks uncomfortable. He started receiving Clinical Canine Massage Therapy and within a couple of sessions he was back to normal. He absolutely loves his massages, so he now has one every month, and it really keeps him comfortable and happy during his senior years. I cannot recommend enough. #terrier #olderdog

Archie, Terrier, Older Dog Carina Cole, Gloucestershire
Archie, Terrier, Older Dog

Taking Sasha to see a canine massage guild therapist is the best thing I have ever done for my dog, She identified and treated her problems…yes more than one! We still have a quarterly maintenance massage which Sasha loves..starts getting excited as soon as we get near the clinic. Thank you for giving me my happy dog back.

 Kay

Clinical Canine Massage - discover the difference it can make to your dog!

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