Sue Maclennan

My passion for dogs began when I was a small girl and I have shared my life with a variety of different breeds from Poodle to Pointer, Basset Hounds to Border Collies and we currently have three poodle crossbreeds and a young Briard bringing daily joy to our lives. In 2008 our old collie, Minnie, was diagnosed with arthritis and spondylosis and despite regular medication, her mobility slowly and insidiously began to decline. I picked up a Galen leaflet at a dog show and resolved to make an appointment for Minnie only to discover that there were no therapists in the North East.

I decided that I would just have to learn how to perform the massage myself so I ordered a copy of Julia’s excellent book, ‘The Complete Dog Massage Manual’ and thus began my journey. In 2011, I took a leap of faith, left my full time employment and enrolled with Galen. Thanks to the excellent support and encouragement provided by the tutors, this rather mature student successfully completed the ‘Diploma in Canine Massage Therapy’ in 2013 and I have never looked back.

Sadly, dear old Minnie is no longer with us but with her inspiration, I have treated many lame and arthritic dogs, both young and old, and it is wonderful to witness their improved mobility. It is equally rewarding to treat canine athletes and see their owner’s delight in their improved performance. I am based in Northumberland but I treat dogs in their own homes and have happily travelled as far afield as the Scottish Borders and North Yorkshire. I love my work and I am keen to raise awareness amongst all dog owners of the impact of everyday stresses and strains and how seemingly minor issues can adversely affect the long term mobility of our canine companions.

In 2017 our 12yr old Labradoodle, Monty, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and subsequently had his right forelimb amputated. The prognosis was gloomy but thanks to regular Myotherapy and an holistic approach to his overall health care, he continued to enjoy life for a further 5 years until his ageing heart failed him at the grand old age of 17 years. Proof that combined therapies can really make a difference to continued wellness and longevity. It is no exaggeration to say that Galen Myotherapy not only enriched, but also prolonged his life.