Want to learn how to relieve your dog’s stress? Ah, there’s the rub

Monday, Oct. 18, 1999 | 9:18 a.m.

When life rubs your dog the wrong way, Angela Wills rubs your dog the right way with therapeutic massage to relieve stress.

"Dogs can get stressed," said the licensed massage therapist from Orlando, Fla. "Like separation anxiety. That's why your dog tears things up when you leave home. Also shelter dogs can be very stressed especially when they meet new people."

Wills will demonstrate her pooch massage techniques Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Mesa Plaza, 1631 W. Craig Road.

The event is part of the "Unconditional Love" for dogs tour of eight U.S. cities that began Sept. 15 in Atlanta and ends Oct. 28 in Los Angeles. It is sponsored by the Romance Classics cable television network and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The event is a fund-raiser for the ASPCA's Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog program.

As part of the event, pet owners and dogs will be asked to place their hand and paw prints on a large promotional canvas. For each imprint Romance Classics will make donations to Henderson Animal Control -- a minimum of $1,000 -- said the network's spokeswoman, Lynn Weiss, a former Las Vegan.

People who want to have their dogs massaged or learn techniques they can use to relieve their pets' tension are asked to bring them to the shopping center and look for the "Paws for the Cause" van.

"I'll teach them a few basic strokes for light massage that they can use to help relieve stress in their dogs," said Wills, who began massaging humans in 1991 and has since developed a canine clientele because she also trains and shows dogs.

"However, if your dog has conditions like arthritis and needs deep work, it is advised that you take him to a licensed professional rather than try to do it yourself."

Wills, 31, said even critics of dog massage would have to agree that the simple act of petting of a dog has therapeutic properties for both master and animal.

"Touch is powerful if done the right way," said Wills, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Sarasota School of Massage Therapy. "Studies have shown that the simple act of petting a dog relieves stress and lowers blood pressure in humans.

"The physical benefits of massage for both humans and dogs include increased blood circulation, relief of muscle tension, relaxation of muscle spasms and increased range of motion," said Wills, who has demonstrated her techniques on television.

"Our systems are somewhat the same. Our muscles make pretty much the same movements. We suffer from a lot of the same ailments. So the benefits of massage can be felt by both."

Wills, a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, noted that certain strokes stimulate oil glands and can promote hair growth on dogs with skin problems.

Also, some dogs have special physical oddities that can be helped by massage, including the sloped hips of German shepherds, the elongated backs of dachshunds and the shortened backs of terriers, she said.

"Dachshunds tend to have back problems that can be helped by gentle circular glides on each side of the spine," Wills said, warning that people should never massage a dog directly on the spine because it can cause discomfort and physical damage, especially to dogs with prominent backbone protrusions.

In addition to massage, area pets also will receive makeovers and manicures.