It’s okay to talk about standing apart and being different to other organisations, but what does that really mean?
At Galen Myotherapy we have always prided ourselves on our unique Guiding Principles, which we follow closely and are at the heart of everything we do. These Guiding Principles make us stand apart, not just because we have them but because we follow them and everything we teach, impart or deliver has the welfare of dogs at its very soul.
These are our Guiding Principles:
Choice Led treatment
Guardian Empowerment
Behavioural Understanding
Sharing of Knowledge
Continual Development
High Level of Specialist Knowledge and Training
These Guiding Principles are very much fulfilled by our Distance Support Programme, which came about after Julia Robertson was delivering a seminar in Taiwan. Julia was explaining and describing some common postural issues which we commonly see in some dogs.
After the seminar Julia was approached by someone who listened avidly to the talk, and she mentioned to Julia that her own dog had several of the issues which Julia had been talking about. The attendee then asked the key question, ‘What can I do to help my dog?’ At that time we didn’t have any Galen Myotherapists in Taiwan or nearby who could help or support her.
At this moment, the idea of our Distance Support Programme was born, enabling people from all over the world to have a postural and biomechanical assessment on their own dog, using videos and photos that they have taken, to enable us to offer an appropriate treatment programme.
This revolutionary and detailed report offers practical advice on how to apply two targeted massage techniques on their own dog, and also offers advice on how to adapt their dog's exercise and environment as well as exercises which could easily be undertaken by anyone, anywhere.
The Distance Support Programme has changed the lives of so many dogs across the world. It is a humbling yet euphoric feeling to be able to help so many dog’s guardians improve the lives of their own dogs.
How does it work? At the start of the programme we ask for very specific photos and videos of your dog and the guardian completes a Galen Comfort Scale which gives us a measurable indication of your dog's current level of comfort.
Your dedicated Galen Myotherapist will then send a detailed postural assessment of your dog, outlining specific areas of myofascial dysfunction which could lead potentially to areas of discomfort. Included in this feedback are detailed instructions on how, and more importantly where, to apply three targeted massage techniques. If you also choose our DSP+ programme you will also receive targeted exercises to undertake with your dog.
You have a choice of how to receive your report, you can choose whether to speak directly to your dedicated Galen Myotherapist via an online platform, or you can receive a written report. The online discussion will be recorded so you can refer back to it at any time, and during the call you will also be guided through the massage techniques and exercises.
After 6-8 weeks we offer a follow up report, where we ask you to once again send us specific videos and photos as well as completing another Galen Comfort Scale. We can then give you Before and After feedback on your dog's progress.
Our programme is in no way designed to usurp veterinary care and we are always thrilled when a guardian asks if they can share the report with their own vet, especially if that means a dog will be given appropriate pain medication and additional veterinary support.
This is a lovely testimonial from one of our DSP clients about the changes she experienced in her dog Ruby. (Ruby had DSP+):
"My dog Ruby has degenerative disc disease (IVDD) in her neck. In summer 2021 she had her first episode and second one in autumn 2023. This time the symptoms were less severe, but more persistent. The MRI showed that the condition with her disc is much worse than it was in 2021. I had to make a decision whether to opt for surgery or not. After a lot of weighing the pros and cons I decided to try all the other options and leave surgery as a last remedy. Her left side seemed to be more affected by the disc and she had a compensatory mechanism going on in her body due to that.
Before Galen I tried physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, but she got another pain episode after hydrotherapy, so I decided to turn to Galen DSP. I started Galen DSP at the end of 2023, with the massage techniques and exercises. Julia made a comprehensive evaluation of Ruby´s posture and it turned out that the main problem, probably an old trauma, was in her lower back, which in turn caused excessive load on her neck and caused or worsened the IVDD. When I started the massage on her lower back, I could barely move the skin, as it was so stuck, but it has been slowly but constantly getting better.
I have continued with the massage and exercises over 3 months now and Ruby is doing so much better. She is not shifting her weight so visibly on her right side anymore and seems to be more flexible on her lower back. She has even started running. Before she couldn´t walk on flooring without carpets at all. Now I still restrict her from doing that, but when she has to do that occasionally, she manages well. I am glad I decided to take the DSP and hope it will give Ruby happy and pain free life as long as possible."
Merli Špitsmeister
Ruby has demonstrated improved physicality and total overall comfort and this can be seen in the ‘after picture’ through many areas in her body, for example, she is demonstrating more angulation in her hind leg allowing for better flexibility and ‘spring’ and drive through her whole pelvic region.
You can learn more about the Distance Support Programmes here or click the button below:
If you’re looking for more advice please get in touch.
We would love to chat with you about how we can help your dog.
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