Testimonials

I ordered a birthday cake from The Balanced Dog in July for my Golden Retriever god‑dog‑daughter, Liberty. It was a big hit! Devoured with delight, followed by wistful floor‑licking in hopes of any stray crumbs! I also purchased a relaxation massage gift voucher for Liberty’s senior Golden Retriever sister, Lincoln. I was out of town at the time but Lincoln’s mum shared how much she enjoyed her session and how relaxed she was afterwards. As Lincoln has needed more support with mobility, she is now seeing Kathleen for ongoing physio, which has brought her tangible relief and is helping her maintain optimal quality of life, alongside Kathleen’s guidance around nutrition and other lifestyle factors. Thank you, Kathleen, for the meaningful work you do and the comfort and joy you bring to dogs, our very best friends who deserve every happiness. It is a pleasure supporting a business that offers such genuine care, kindness and joy to the dogs who give us their whole hearts.

Roadie has been seeing Kathleen over past 9 months, first to try and discover why he could possibly have a shake is his hind leg and now having had a tear in his ccl, efforts have been increased to strengthen his core and legs to avoid surgery. Every few weeks Roadie gets a massage, laser therapy and we have been given a strength routine to do. Roadie can be a bit of a wrecking ball and somewhat OTT when visitors come round, but Kathleen is super patient and he settles allowing her to work on him. Through Kathleen's visits, guidance and his exercises, Roadie has improved so much. We highly recommend her services!

Kathleen has been treating my greyhound Sadie for over a year now. She was suffering with chronic back pain which was really limiting her life. Along side the veterinary treatment she received, she had (and still has) regular treatments with Kathleen. I firmly believe these have really helped her and as a bonus she absolutely loves it. From her second session she was hopping up on the bed and presenting herself.

We are so lucky to have found Kathleen to help with Jake our 15 year old Staffy. Her expertise and advice about how to make our home easier for him to get around in as been superb. Having Kathleen come and give Jake a massage in his own home is just wonderful and his quality of life has improved because of her expertise and care. Kathleen has also been invaluable at giving us advice about his diet and suggested supplements. I have also done one of Kathleen’s doggy massage courses and a cooking for your dog - both were really enjoyable and informative.

The Balanced Dog has worked on both my girls, a Labrador and a Spanador, and we have had such a positive experience. Our Spanador, Maeve, began seeing Kathleen as a puppy to support healthy growth and development, and she has loved her monthly home visits ever since. When Maeve recently started biting her tail, we were able to uncover the root cause with Kathleen’s support, which happened to be an incorrect set up of the dog door. With massage, laser therapy, and the mobility exercises we were given, we were able to bring her back to full health and even build her strength beyond where she was before. As a mobile clinic, sessions fit easily into our schedule and, more importantly, take place in Maeve’s own space. That familiarity allows her to fully relax, which only enhances the benefits of her treatment. Kathleen is not only incredibly knowledgeable about canine massage and physical care, but her understanding of dog behaviour has equipped us with practical tools to help Maeve gain confidence and reduce anxiety in everyday life. She is also very well connected within the industry and has been able to recommend other trusted businesses to support us with any behavioural challenges we’ve faced. We are so grateful for her expertise, kindness, and ongoing support

We met Kathleen when she and her greyhound Izzy did our Greyhounds As Pets homecheck in 2016. Shortly after we had our own greyhound, Mouse. Kathleen has been a source is well-researched knowledge ever since. She is caring and professional.

I love meeting new people, so making a new friend who gives amazing massages was the best day ever! Even better, she came to my house, so I got to relax in my favourite spot. The gentle, Fear Free approach meant everything happened at my pace, and I finished feeling loose, happy, and ready for a big nap. My mum learned some easy ways to help keep me feeling great between visits, and I joined the Birthday Club because birthdays should include massages and treats! I give the whole experience five enthusiastic tail wags and can’t wait for my next visit." Biggie 🐾

Car? Movement? door! LADY! I like lady, must go look, lady's car, but not allowed in car, will try again next time, jump on lady to let her know I am here, inspect her bag, big comfortable table, lots of treats for being a good boy, try and lick ladies hands, not allowed, try lick arms, not allowed, try lick lady face, also not allowed! was upset but oooh treats and licky mat, yum peanut butter, lady nice pets, makes body feel good, talk with dad, lady put on glasses, didn't like this part, weird feeling, sore leg, okay now, leg better, lady heal me, more pets, nice long pets, told I am a good boy, more treats, lady rubs smelly stuff on, makes me feel relaxed. Lady packs up, one last try to get in car, dad say I have to go back inside. Feel sleepy, Roadie nap time. Bye lady.

My name is Mr Chino and I have been asked to share my thoughts about Kathleen at The Balanced Dog. My Mums tell me I am the best old boy and Kathleen is no different. We start with a thorough bag inspection and when that's passed its checks I enjoy a massage for a whole hour while being fed treats and being told how handsome I am. It's not just nice, it really helps reduce pain and relax after my toe amputation and with my old joints. Thanks Kathleen, see you next month! P.S. Don't forget the treats.

"When Kathleen arrived I was super excited because I love good people, and I could tell she is a good person because her bag obviously had treatos inside. After some boring chat with my mum (and a distinct lack of belly rubs) they finally got on with the task at hand of giving me all the attention. I was a bit weirded out by the small black box which was named "LAY-ZAA", but luckily Kathleen was prepared with a licky mat, so me and Lay-zaa are now best friends. I had an agility competition that following weekend, and I felt like I was flying! I was going way faster than normal and it felt awesome. I can't wait for Kathleen to visit again so I can show her how good I am at my stretches."

I could shimmy, shake, run and jump without any hurty bits but not even the return of Elvis, or the second coming, would move me off my couch after a treatment from Kathleen! - Misty the Greyhound, age 7 3/4

Hi. I'm Abbie. Something you should know about me is I hate being called fluffy and cute. Everyone wants to touch me, and pat me. I hate being touched. I love few things in life. I love my food. I love my daddy. I tolerate my sister. I tolerate my mum, cos she feeds me. Sometimes. But not enough. And Kathleen. I LOVE Kathleen. She comes to my house, and gives me treats. I lie on her special table, and she gives me all the attention. Not my sister, just me. She also gives me treats. Then, she gives me gentle pats. And those gentle pats become gentle strokes. And I get a gentle warm thing that I don't know what it is, but I like it. And I get treats. Sometimes I like it so much that I lay down. But I can't fall asleep, cos I might miss out on treats. When she's finished, I feel relaxed, and better. And I find I can move easier. And then I don't feel so angry, sometimes. And sometimes if I don't feel angry, I like it when Daddy, and even mum, touches me, just like Kathleen does. I like Kathleen. And Kathleen's treats. And her touches. I'm gonna go ask mum when Kathleen is coming to my house again.

We thought we'd share our own review, seeing as we're the actual clients. I'm Angus. Every six weeks Kathleen arrives and I make myself available immediately. Why waste time? The massage is so good I usually end up fast asleep with my head in her lap. Best. Day. Ever. I'm Penny. I prefer to make Kathleen work for it. I have to be gently coaxed into the room because, well... appearances matter. Once the massage starts, though? Oh... this is lovely. Please don't tell anyone I said that. We're both retired racing greyhounds with a few old injuries, so these massages help keep us comfortable and hopefully keep arthritis at bay for as long as possible. Kathleen is kind, patient, and has magical hands. We give her five paws out of five. Now, if you'll excuse us, Angus needs another nap... and I need to pretend I don't want my next massage. 🐾 Angus & Penny

Hello, I'm Molly and Mum says I'm like a stretch limo with lowered front suspension. Kathleen is much nicer and assures me I have a long sleek torso with short front legs which means I get really stiff in the rear end. Kathleen not only helps with 6 to 8 weekly massages which means yummy lick mat but also helps to recommend a good diet. I got really sick with giardia and couldn't hold anything down but now I get the best thanks to Kathleen's advice. I'm glad mum found her. I would recommend to all dog Mums and Dad's that she is the best.

Auntie Kathleen comes to see me. I never know when but my brother Lennie seems to know before she arrives so we can be ready outside to greet her. I like to mess about and avoid getting on the bed but this is just to get the extra treats I’m bribed up with. I usually fall asleep quite fast. I’m told that I save all my farts for when Kathleen comes and I’m extra relaxed. It’s a real battle to get down after because I’m sooooo chilled and just want to stay up there! Again my hesitation is rewarded with more treats so its win win!

I’m a simple dog, with simple tastes, so here’s my simple words. I like visitors. I promise I do, I do, I do! Even if I shiver and shake, peer shyly round door frames, and back away. But this visitor, Kathleen, I know her well now, she even comes with food and she likes coming back to see me. She carries lots of strange things but I know where the treats are stashed. Kathleen is so encouraging that I try, try, try to amp up my sociability as long as there aren’t too many extravagant gestures and the pace suits me. And then Mum starts doling out extra food too! Talk about decadence. I won’t say No. Holding my brother off becomes the main concern, but between Mum and Kathleen, Bruno is captured in the playpen - he still gets treats but I get the main event! I’m drooling just thinking about it. Apparently the goal is to stand in position and eat as much as possible whilst accepting handling of a gentle kind. I’m not sure about this touching business usually but I’ll cope under these circumstances. Come back soon nice feeder Lady! Sneeze sneeze.

I hear I’ve been pipped to the post. Again! That spindly brother of mine gets all the treats, I swear. Cooper doesn’t have to catch treats behind a fence either. Oh yeah, and Kathleen’s throwing technique needs some work. It’s not yet clear to me why anyone would relegate Moi. I mean who wouldn’t be beguiled by my broad frame, my patchwork coat, and these pointy ears? Apparently my eating prowess needs a handicap, just like those golf champions. Kathleen’s very clever at suggesting these games to distract me. I know Mum can get the spoon out, but for some reason, my meaty delights are hidden down quite a long tube. My technique for extraction is good, but gosh I have to work. It’s most distracting to my food focus when Kathleen decides to add in the hands thing, but it’s actually quite nice, and I’ve discovered a new talent for multi-tasking. Recently Kathleen has been trying all her new tricks on me. I’ve even experienced tail traction, goodness me! Despite Mum collapsing into laughter at this point, it’s just the cherry on top for my treatment. And I think my tail does look rather good in its extended glamour pose, white tip aloft. All in all, I’ll accept the delayed gratification with good grace. After all, I am Bruno, the gentleman doglet. Kathleen is worth the wait (and so is the grub!)….

Kathleen has been helping me for years after a terrible case of walkies gone wrong and the post surgery recovery. Her knowledge and expertise has guided me to ensure I can continue keep up the exercise and many zoomies, just like if I was a young hound. Kathleen has a wonderful ability to be in tune to the body and respects my wishes when there is a sore spot. I always feel like a brand new hound after each session. We hope there is many more sessions to come.

Auntie Kathleen visits me regularly to give me special cuddles (just for me, my sister has to be outside! The little pest tries to be in by putting her head through the cat door), and I get peanut butter on a licky mat! When she comes, I get so excited that my mum has to remind me to let her put the special cover on my bed before I jump on, as I forget, coz I am soo excited!!! OH, and she has the best treats in her bag. I am not allowed to help myself (sometimes it is hard to remember that), but I always get some before she goes. She makes me feel good!

Zabi's health and mobility wouldn't be as good as it is now if I haven't had the help and support from Kathleen. Zabi is a 14 year old Westie cross who still loves to adventure on the Port Hills. With Kathleen's regular massage and homework Zabi still has a high quality of life while living with osteoarthritis. Another bonus we have found working with Kathleen is Zabi has become more confident being handled at the vet and less reactive on walks. The regular massage sessions have impacted both of us in such a positive way!

I have been using Kathleen and The Balanced Dog for a couple of years to help with my ageing bull terrier's arthritis and joint mobility issues. I wanted to explore options beyond merely relying on medication, that would also actively support Ed's flexibility and circulation. I'm delighted to say what a great experience this journey has been! Kathleen has a genuine passion for the well-being of dogs. She takes pride in her work, and it shows in every aspect of her service. She is not only deeply knowledgeable but also patient and compassionate and has taken the time to understand Ed's unique needs and personality to tailor-make a care program for him that adapts to how he's feeling and moving. The fear-free methods she uses has also fostered a strong bond between Ed and Kathleen which means he loves her visits and fully relaxes into the treatment. A major bonus is that Kathleen comes to my house, which is not only hugely time efficient for me, but also means that Ed doesn't get distracted or stressed by unfamiliar sounds and smells. I wholeheartedly recommend Kathleen to any dog owner seeking a positive and effective approach to holistic dog health.

My senior dog, Katy has had the best of care from Kathleen over the last couple of years. Kathleen's skills and knowledge have benefited both Katy (and myself), and I am sure that Katy's continuing mobility is, in no small part, due to the quality of Kathleen's experience and treatment.

We have had the pleasure of Kathleen's home visits for Luke's massage since 2018 and I would highly recommend her. She has given me invaluable advise as Luke ages and started showing signs of arthritis, which is now being controlled with a combination of meds, PEMF and laser treatment. He is so excited to see Kathleen pull up the drive he does a little happy dance. 10/10 top service

Kathleen supported my 8 year old beagle, Pedro, in 2019 when he had a calcified disk in his neck that caused him extreme pain and immobility. He can be an anxious dog at times and I was drawn to Kathleen’s services because she was a mobile and Fear Free practitioner. She carried out weekly lasering of his neck, acupressure and massage for approximately two months. Kathleen never hurried Pedro , allowing him to settle at his own pace. She was so patient and gentle and very perceptive of signs of discomfort. She was a great source of information for any dog care queries I may have had. When Pedro underwent spinal decompression surgery Kathleen returned to help with his rehab. He went from strength to strength and is now back to living life to the full again. Kathleen continues to visit Pedro every 6 weeks for a massage. She brings homemade treats for the dogs and I attended her “Learn to Massage Your Dog” workshop which was well-presented and informative. Thank you for all your unwavering support Kathleen!

Well planned and run workshop. I learned a lot from Kathleen and would thoroughly recommend to any dog owner.

We love Kathleen!! Her services have helped my boy have the best quality of life possible for the last 5 years.I loved seeing how sprightly he was after each session, and I know how much he enjoyed it as he would cry with excitement when her car pulled into the driveway, and go running out to meet her. Thank you Kathleen for all your practical helpful advice to help me negotiate Stan's senior years.

My name's Gus. I’m a spicy spaniel and have had Kathleen visit a few times now. I’m not a dog that likes lots of touching and feeling however I do let her massage me for a lot longer than most because she knows all the good spots to hit. Also I like her coming because I get treats… although my sister cat Iris is always getting in on my action and demanding her own attention. Rude. Last visit I got to choose from the Birthday Box. I chose lamb chops and enjoy shaking her silly every morning. Thanks for keeping me strong for my scentwork and RallyO!

Jess is my 13 year old Springer Spaniel. We started treatments with Kathleen three years ago as he was becoming quite sore and stiff in his back legs and generally wasn’t happy or engaged on his walks. Since starting the massage treatments and laser therapy Jess is a different dog, Kathleen’s advice on pain management and exercise has really improved his quality of life, he is more engaged, happy to go for walks, holds his head high and even wants to play, which he just wasn’t interested in before. One of the great things about this service is that it is mobile, which gives Jess security as he feels safe and comfortable in his own home. He gets very excited when he sees Kathleen pull up the drive and I have to hold him back to allow her to set up before he tries to jump on the bed and start his treatment. It is clear Kathleen only wants the very best for the dogs she treats and has gone above and beyond with all her advice and support for Jess. I can’t thank her enough and would highly recommend her services to anyone who wants the best for their dog.

Roadie has been seeing Kathleen over past 9 months, first to try and discover why he could possibly have a shake is his hind leg and now having had a tear in his ccl, efforts have been increased to strengthen his core and legs to avoid surgery. Every few weeks Roadie gets a massage, laser therapy and we have been given a strength routine to do. Roadie can be a bit of a wracking ball and somewhat OTT when visitors come round, but Kathleen is super patient and he settles allowing her to work on him. Through Kathleens visits, guidance and his exercises, Roadie has improved so much. We would highly recommend her services!

After my Amstaff's cruciate ligament surgery and before air travel, I was looking for support to help with healing and mobility. I was recommended Kathleen from my vet and over a period of weeks she came to my home and worked her magic. Kathleen is professional, compassionate and highly skilled. I credit Nyah's wellbeing and successful recovery to Kathleen. Thank you, she is very settled and enjoying the sun.

Caesar is a 2-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff Cross that came into the care of Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue and was diagnosed as having a ruptured cruciate. Kathleen started her rehabilitation work with Caesar once he was at the recovery stage from the surgery on his leg. Kathleen accommodated us by coming to the rescue every Saturday before our opening hours to work with Caesar; she developed an exercise plan that we could easily work with in a rescue environment with our limited resources. He learnt quickly to love the beep from the laser therapy machine, as he got a treat from Kathleen each time and would give her hand a bunt if she was taking too long delivering that treat. Kathleen changed the exercise programme as Caesar regained strength, the improvement each week became so visible towards the end of his rehabilitation. We would not hesitate to use Kathleen’s services again if the need arose & highly recommend her services.

Ruby was a very special dog. She was only 12 months old when she had to endure the earthquakes which changed her for life. She became cautious and preferred not to leave home except to go to places of trust. Things became on her terms or she would hide out in her safe place under the table or in her kennel. This continued through out her life and we adjusted to her ways. Ruby’s “out “was exercise and running alongside of my bike, hunting possums and endless swims. When she injured CCL joint and exercise had to stop about a year ago, we called in Kathleen for massage and rehab work. Its was great that she offered an in-home service and was always on time and very professional and a genuine person. Kathleen understood Ruby and did not rush her and was very perceptive of Ruby’s signs and signals. Ruby played hard to get, and it took a lot of time, gentle persuasion and trust for Kathleen to be able to work on her. We could see the difference in Ruby after a couple of treatments and for her wellbeing continued to have Kathleen treat her right up until Ruby’s passing in November 2019. I am happy to say that Ruby did enjoy the sessions but was still playing hard to get! I cannot thank Kathleen enough for taking the time not to rush Ruby and respecting our wee girl’s idiosyncrasies and working on her to make her last year a happy and comfortable one.

We got referred to Kathleen from our vet when Buster was starting to suffer from arthritis. We started him on a good regime of medicine for his aches and pains and some supplements. Kathleen came to our house and talked with us about what she thought she could assist us with for Buster. He was a bit hesitant at first and I had to stand next to him and help settle him while Kathleen did her thing. Over time Buster learned to settle and have a snooze up on the table. He knew when the session was coming to an end and he would get ready for his treats. Kathleen’s work with Buster and her advice on other things we could do to help him out made the last few years of his life more comfortable and gave him some extra time with us. He knew when he was due for a massage and when we told him that Kathleen was coming, we could see him perk up and we knew he was looking forward to his quality time. Over the years Kathleen gave us some great advice as well as taking care of our best mate. We are very thankful for the help Kathleen gave us with Buster and would recommend him to anyone that wants to do the best for their best friend.

We are just so blessed to have discovered Kathleen at The Balanced Dog. We have an almost-13 year old Huntaway with degenerative issues in his back legs. After every session with Kathleen he improves enormously and enjoys a quality of life we thought was long gone. I was sceptical at first but committed to do everything I could for Barney; I am now a firm believer that her therapy, not only is it extending Barney’s life, but his quality of life. I cannot recommend her services highly enough, she has changed our lives 🐾🐶

Henry has lost about 8 kgs. We are happy to have our big boy not just back in good form but in better form that he has been in for a long time. We have worked out a system that he stays 2 weeks on each coast and while he is over in Christchurch, he gets hydrotherapy at the Dog Swim Spa. This routine has really helped with Henry's anxiety - he is much more settled and in much more silly form. His legs are quite stiff sometimes, although he is still taking the supplements daily. We have got to know some more dogs here in Hokitika and that has definitely helped him too. I cannot thank you enough for all your help and input.

Twelve years ago I was fortunate enough to have an eight week old Black Labrador puppy enter my life who I named Blue. Being rather active and enjoying the outdoors myself, Blue has accompanied me on hundreds of adventures and if we’re not away out of town somewhere, we will often be out in Christchurch’s Port Hills, almost on a daily basis. Blue's body (in the same way mine has) has taken a number of knocks and tumbles over the years and has progressively slowed down, but unlike me, he has given very little indication of how uncomfortable he has become. While sourcing myself a sports massage one day I came across an advert for Kathleen’s “Fear Free” dog care service and feeling that Blue deserved it as much as I do, I gave her a call. I personally put a lot of effort into my own professional career and expect nothing less of services that I’m paying for, so was very impressed by Kathleen’s promptness, enthusiasm and attention to detail. What impressed me most though, was the rapid improvement in Blue, after only 2 massages it seemed like he was 3 years younger, I was truly amazed and also a bit disappointed in myself that I hadn’t actually noticed how much he had slowed down until Kathleen started working with him. I describe it like a pair of glasses, you don’t notice how bad they get over time until you look through a new pair! Like any dog owner, I get great pleasure out of seeing my dog happy and enjoying life and I definitely get to see this every time Blue greets Kathleen at the door, he truly loves Kathleen and her massages. Over the last 2 years I have learnt that Kathleen is very passionate about dogs and their well-being, Kathleen has a wealth of knowledge and I always feel free to quiz her on anything regarding Blue's lifestyle so he can get the most from life. Blue is now 12 years old and I will continue to use Kathleen’s services for as long as he’s alive and no doubt any future dogs that I care for which makes it very easy for me to recommend Kathleen to any fellow dog lover.

I stumbled upon an article about the Balanced Dog and gave Kathleen a call as our fur baby was suffering from allergies and we had no idea what or why. Kathleen has been working with my wee Cavoodle Bear for 10 months and it was the best thing we have done for him. Bear also gets a massage every 6 weeks and he absolutely loves it. There is a lot of excitement when he sees Kathleen as he knows the relaxing treat he is about to receive. Kathleen’s food knowledge and guidance has helped us all immensely. I can email Kathleen with any questions or queries that I have which is huge support. The benefits have far exceeded my expectations and her service is outstanding. For any owners that love their dogs I highly recommend Kathleen at The Balanced Dog.

Zoe, our retired greyhound, and I attended one of Kathleen’s massage workshops. During this workshop, it was noticed that Zoe was tender in her hind legs and there was a difference in muscle development on each thigh. She had trouble jumping into cars and onto things like beds, waiting instead to be lifted. Kathleen and I decided that some intense therapy was required. Kathleen came to our home and treated Zoe in her own surroundings a number of times. Zoe was immediately at ease and eventually would nearly nod off during sessions. Her movement improved immensely and soon we witnessed her ‘bunny jumping’ when on a ‘zoomie’. This is where the greyhound tucks its hind legs under and almost leaps with delight while running. After Kathleen’s treatment was the first time we had seen her to do this. She also began jumping onto beds and couches (!) and can now leap into the car with no difficulty. It was quite obvious the muscle tension holding her back had been eased. The sessions with Kathleen made all the difference and it is great to know our girl is now feeling comfortable. I wouldn’t hesitate to ask Kathleen to provide more treatment if Zoe ever required it.

Kathleen’s involvement with our dogs started with purchasing her delicious dog treats. It soon followed with massages on Helga to supplement acupuncture treatment. It did not take long before she started helping the rest of our pack, too. Our dogs are always excited to see her and look forward to every session. Most recently Kathleen has helped us work through our most challenging case yet – Lucy’s food allergies. She has a very methodical, logical, and holistic approach to her analyses. Kathleen has opened our eyes to the options available to us, in both analyses (including NutriScan) and dietary options. In terms of dietary options she has gone the extra distance in researching sources of kibbles and consulting with Canterbury Pet Foods in sourcing raw options. Lucy’s allergies have been one of our most difficult challenges yet, but Kathleen has made it so much more tolerable.

Coffee and I came to your massage class last weekend and, when we were doing hands on, I noticed a golf-ball sized lump on her. I took her to the vet and they have operated and removed it, so just wanted to say thanks as would not have come across it if it wasn’t for your class.

Kathleen has been amazing working with Baxter after we chose a conservative approach to his CCL injury. Her visits are highly anticipated – Baxter waits by the front door whining with excitement. The regular massage and laser treatments have definitely helped with his recovery – he has made steady progress. Baxter is a bouncy Jack Russell cross who turns to ‘mush’ when Kathleen works on him. She is a wonderful communicator and great listener and is totally non-judgmental with great practical suggestions that work.

Thank you for the tender care you gave to Abby before she passed. After watching her deteriorate so rapidly and undergo so many operations to fix her lameness and chronic pain, I have to confess that it was with some desperation that I contacted you originally, but now, my only regret is that I did not do it sooner! To watch our much-loved Abby who had suffered for so long, flop on your massage table, relax and trust your touch is something I will not only never forget but also will always be grateful for! She always greeted you at the door with a wagging tail (she rarely moved for most) and she was never hesitant as you lifted her onto the table! Your advice was given without any hidden agenda or personal gain and I have no doubt that she found relief in your work, something no one else had managed to do for her. You truly cared about her and it not only showed in Abby’s demeanour but also in your genuine sadness in her passing despite you only having lost your own dog, Daisy, just a week before. I will always be grateful for your care and cannot thank you enough.

Kenny is our 12-year old precious Blue Heeler/Bull Terrier cross. After being hit by a car when he was young and then suffering a stroke in 2011, his back gets very sore and his left side has become very weak. As the years have passed Kenny has found it more difficult to walk long distances and to fetch the Frisbee which he once did with ease. But, since getting his massages from Kathleen, Kenny has been able to remain mobile; he’s no longer as stiff, and he can even chase his beloved Frisbee every now and then. Kathleen’s visits are the highlight of his week and our entire family love having her visit. You only have to say the name ‘Kathleen’ and his face lights up. It’s so lovely to see our baby (who most of the time puts up a tough exterior), lie back on the massage table in absolute bliss while listening to classical music. Thank you for the genuine love and care that you give Kenny each and every visit.

Dixie is our five year old Wheaten Terrier. We were doing agility with Dixie but over time she was having trouble going over jumps. She had no problem with the first few but would then start knocking them down, eventually she wouldn’t jump at all…so we gave up, thinking she was just lazy. She became grumpy with our other dogs and would not play; her usual enthusiasm for the tricks she could do dwindled and walking became a chore for her, getting to the point of limping and lagging behind. It was now evident she was very sore somewhere. At this point we thought some massage therapy with Kathleen might help Dixie and what a huge transformation. She is now back to her old self, running around and playing with our other dogs, doing her tricks with great enthusiasm and loads more energy on her walks. My sister looks after our dogs when we travel and she commented last time how much nicer Dixie was, which we can only attribute to Kathleen’s weekly massages, although these have now progressed down to once monthly. Dixie certainly knows where she is going on massage nights and runs into the room with a ‘smile’ and leaves even more contented. Thank you Kathleen for your kind, caring hands that have helped our girl and Dixie says a special thank you for the treats!

I have been bringing my 3 legged, 12-year-old Labrador, Bran, to Kathleen for a 6-weekly massage for three years now. Bran loves his visit to Kathleen. She eases all of his aches and pains and makes his life that much more comfortable. Kathleen is kind and caring towards Bran and myself. She is very knowledgeable in all areas of animal care, always quick to give advice and ideas on remedies and supplements to help. Kathleen is always willing to go the extra miles using her own time and resources to find additional information. I would highly recommend Kathleen and her healing hands to anyone who wanted to give their animal some relief.

Thank you so much for the wonderful treatment that you gave Leroy and for your excellent advice regarding all the little things I could do to help him. Your kindness and support have been most appreciated. He was such a big part of our family.

She was once a boisterous and energetic girl who couldn’t stay still, until old age and arthritis slowed her down. She also suffered food allergies, skin problems and was overweight from being unable to walk even a short distance. Before meeting Kathleen, she was stiff and sore and had lost all motivation, spending most of her time on her bed. Within days of her first treatment, we saw signs of improvement and since then have never looked back. She is full of beans, loves her daily walks which have now been extended to 1 km each day, and she’s even started running. Her massages can be challenging since she is always excitable after a two-hour drive to Christchurch, but Kathleen is patient and always finds ways to work with her. Thanks to Kathleen’s laser treatments, massage and dietary advice, Blackout has lost 8 kg so far and is looking the best she has in years. I’m so grateful to have met Kathleen and Blackout is running and jumping proof that her therapy works wonders!

We were referred to Kathleen by Elesha in late 2016 as Bailey had just been diagnosed with arthritis. It was great to get therapy rather than pain killers to assist Bailey along with a great strengthening programme. Our younger dog, Neisha, also started having relaxation massages. Bailey and Neisha loved the sessions with Kathleen. When Bailey was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, Kathleen was a great source of knowledge and assisted with keeping Bailey comfortable. Bailey loved meeting Kathleen at the front door with his blue toy. Bailey passed away in June 2018. Keeping up the massages for Neisha was a great comfort to her as she was missing Bailey. Now as Neisha has slight arthritis, Kathleen has given her a programme to strengthen her shoulders. Neisha loves her monthly visits from Kathleen. We can’t thank Kathleen enough for all the information and support she has given us during the time Bailey and Neisha have been seeing her.

Izzy is a two-year old Bull Mastiff who has elbow dyplasia. She has seen Kathleen four times now and we have had great success. Before the treatment, she was limping and after the first treatment plus dietary changes as advised by Kathleen, she is now walking limp free! She especially loves the soothing classical music that gets played to her whilst she gets massaged!! And as a bonus, I really enjoy Kathleen’s company for the hour too ?

Blake won Reserve of Group today over at the West Coast shows. I have you and the vets to thank for his recovery from him having a 50/50 chance of living on 3 August 2013 after being hit by a 4×4…and I would love another order of your Liver Whips. My beagles LOVE them.

We would like to thank you for your kind and caring way with Meg, our 14-year old border collie, over these last few weeks prior to her sudden passing. Meg wasn’t a dog that enjoyed being handled by anyone or picked up, but she made a certain connection with you and accepted that you were helping her. We felt that the massages and laser therapy really helped her. Meg loved her walks, playing with her footie and having fun with the family even at her age. We would certainly recommend your massage services for our family and friend’s dogs and to others.

I was recommended Kathleen by the Dog Swim Spa to help with maintaining his muscle tone and for relaxation. Jaffa loved her visits and was very relaxed with increased mobility after his session. Kathleen is just wonderful. She is extremely knowledgeable and recommended supplements that would assist Jaffa’s condition. Thank you Kathleen for helping make his final months more comfortable. We so love and miss him.

Our vet recommended Kathleen, after having a very frustrating time healing Basil’s lick granuloma. The laser therapy combined with Kathleen’s holistic approach and suggestions with which to manage Basil’s lick granuloma and other symptom’s of anxiety have helped us in being able to better manage his condition (leaving us and Basil a lot happier). Kathleen is great with the very excitable Basil and also always has something new to recommend to supplement the laser treatment.

Hunter is our 9 year old German Shepherd x Border Collie. Six months ago Hunter was diagnosed with lumbosacral disease which was causing her serious discomfort and pain. Our vet recommend acupuncture, swimming at Dog Swim Spa and massage treatments with Kathleen. In November Hunter underwent major spinal surgery and Kathleen has been an important part of the recovery process. Hunter has weekly treatments which benefit her enormously. Kathleen has a very special connection with animals and has a comprehensive knowledge to support her practical work. Kathleen has been a great support to us all and we are very lucky to have met her. All dog lovers should contact Kathleen- your dog will love you for it!

Bertie gets very excited when he sees Kathleen and he loves his hour of massage. He flops down and goes into doggy heaven mode. Bertie has benefited greatly from his sessions with Kathleen and she has been a source of information to help and keep Bertie in the best condition he can be. He loves his treats, too.

Kathleen has worked with my labrador Jet on a regular basis for several months and is an essential part of his ongoing rehabilitation after spinal surgery for a slipped disk (2008) and bilateral hip replacement to treat his arthritis (2009 & 2010). Jet is now 14 and still very active both on his walks and swimming at Dog Swim Spa. He loves his weekly massage and afterward I notice that his movement has freed up and he is wonderfully relaxed. I call Kathleen ‘the dog whisperer’ because Jet is so excited to see her and tells her all about his week. I love watching them together and feel very fortunate that Kathleen’s services are available in Christchurch.

Sophie was always an old girl, but she was very active. I always thought of her as part Labrador, part mountain goat. We spent many hours together in the weekends enjoying bush walks and beaches. When arthritis took away her ability to run up and down hills and jump onto precarious look-outs, it was very sad. She had got to a point where she couldn’t even complete a walk around our local park. When my vet suggested alternate therapies to ease Sophie’s joints I was all for it. She seemed to really benefit from a mix of therapeutic massage form Kathleen and hydrotherapy. Sophie enjoyed the sessions with Kathleen, often becoming so excited she would start barking; although it’s possible she was excited about the little home-made treat she would get at the end of the session. Having had sports massage myself to help with my own joint problems I know that massages helped to keep Sophie moving freely. It was obvious in the fact our daily walks around the park had resumed and she needed no assistance to make it home. I am very grateful to Kathleen for the fantastic treatment Sophie received and for her amazing patience when dealing with my house full of energetic dogs. She was an important part of Sophie’s treatment and if I ever again have a dog with joint or muscle problems, I will be calling Kathleen.

Our Staffy cross Lucky has grown in stature over the years and is now having mobility problems due to excess weight and arthritis. Kathleen has recommended a course of action with his diet and her massage and laser have seen an improvement with his arthritis and mobility. I recommend Kathleen to anyone with a dog with joint or mobility problems and have done so to several of our clients through our pool.

Renee is a 12-year-old Newfoundland who started having spinal problems which affected her back leg. Since Kathleen has been giving her massage therapy, Renee is now pain-free and has shown good improvement. Kathleen is very professional and has a great affinity for animals.

Olliver is a senior dog with arthritis, we starting having massage treatments over a year ago to help improve his circulation, mobility and overall well-being. Last July, he suddenly lost the ability to walk and veterinarians haven’t been able to diagnose a cause. Olliver is trying hard to walk again, aided by his wheelchair and the expert efforts of people such as Kathleen. Massage has now become an essential and critical part of Olliver’s recovery and rehabilitation.

It’s been great to have Kathleen come around weekly and work with Charlie-Pete. She was thoughtful about engaging with an unwell dog.

He will continue to have palliative care from Kathleen because I feel her skills and knowledge are helping him stay with us for longer.