Perhaps the most important aspect of animal massage is the approach. Colligan said it takes a little while for the animal to get accustomed to massage. Colligan does both office and home visits. Music plays a part in the session. She plays New Age music, which is very relaxing for the pet.
Massage also can be a way to bridge the gap of understanding between pet and owner.
According to the Tellington-Jones web site, she is a national animal expert who trains and heals animals and teaches others her methods. Her web site points out that Tellington-Jones has worked on everything from horses to rare snow leopard cubs in Switzerland and even a young orangutan named Louie at the San Diego Zoo. Her approach involves touch, physical exercises, specific signals, ground exercises and riding principles. Tellington-Jones' method is aimed at building the bridge of communication and understanding between humans and animals. It's more getting deeper into muscle groups and working lactic acids out of it.