Safety Boundaries & Contraindications

The physical comfort, emotional boundaries, and safety of your canine companions is the foundation of everything I do. Because I operate strictly within a non-clinical, non-diagnostic framework, I observe clear boundaries regarding when hands-on sessions can take place.

Our session standards are divided into three clear categories: Systemic Boundaries (when sessions must be paused), Localized Boundaries (specific areas we completely avoid), and our Escalation Protocol for dogs experiencing chronic or existing medical conditions.

Systemic Wellness Boundaries

If your dog is actively experiencing or showing signs of any of the following conditions, sessions will be postponed until they have completely recovered or are stable:

  • Fever or Elevated Temperature: When a dog is running hot, their body is actively working to regulate its temperature or clear a bug. Adding the physical warming effects of massage can make them feel uncomfortably hot and add unnecessary physical stress.

  • Active Infections or Contagious Illnesses: For the health of our shared environments and other canine clients, sessions are paused if a dog has an active or contagious bug (such as kennel cough, vomiting/diarrhea or contagious skin conditions).

  • Acute Trauma or Sudden Illness: If a dog has been in an accident, ingested something toxic, or is experiencing a sudden physical crisis, they require immediate emergency veterinary care, not a relaxation session.

  • Unmanaged Internal Conditions: If a dog is experiencing severe, unmanaged cardiovascular, organ, or circulatory imbalances, altering their resting baseline state with touch can overwhelm their immediate physical comfort.

Localized Touch Precautions

Somatic relaxation work can often move forward to support overall behavioral comfort and peace, but the following specific areas on a dog's body will be completely isolated and left untouched:

  • Recent Surgical Sites & Stitches: I stay completely away from any healing incisions, staples, or delicate skin closures to ensure the area mends undisturbed.

  • Open Wounds, Rashes, or Hot Spots: Broken skin, raw patches, punctures, or highly sensitive, itchy flares are left entirely alone to prevent causing any immediate discomfort or irritation.

  • Recent Injection Sites: If a dog has recently received a vaccination or subcutaneous fluid treatment, I avoid that specific location so the body can absorb it naturally without irritation.  This also applies to any topical treatment for fleas, etc. 

  • Acute Orthopedic Swelling or Breaks: I do not apply pressure or touch to unhealed bone fractures, torn ligaments, or freshly swollen, hot joints.

California Veterinary Coordination Protocol

Standard wellness and relaxation massage for healthy dogs do not require a veterinary referral in the State of California. However, I maintain a strict safety protocol if an underlying chronic medical condition is disclosed during the intake screening process:

  • When I Require Veterinary Guidance: If your dog is currently being treated for a major clinical condition (such as diagnosed heart challenges, epilepsy, kidney disease, or unmanaged tumors), I will pause onboarding and require written safety instructions or a boundary confirmation from your primary care veterinarian before any hands-on sessions can take place.

  • The Reason for Coordination:  I require your veterinarian's guidance to ensure my non-medical techniques do not conflict with their ongoing medical management plan.

  • Your Communication Agreement: By booking a session, owners agree to keep California Canine Wellness immediately informed of any changes to their dog's health status, new veterinary assessments, or updated medical instructions.