Massage therapist makes house calls to treat dogs

Krista King is the person to call for people - and their dogs - who would like a massage.

King is a licensed massage therapist and already has a local practice for humans, called Palpations. Just recently she has become licensed to give massages to canines, and she is incorporating her new skills into her practice.

She says when she gives massages to dogs, she always goes to their home so the dog is as comfortable as possible. “Basically I would just enter into the home; I would greet the owner first because you have to establish a dominance role,” King said. The owner then introduces her to their pet, she said, who she greets by letting the pet sniff her hand.

King said she will drive anywhere in Delaware to accommodate a client and dog.

After greeting each other, the owner would guide the dog to its bed, couch, or anywhere comfortable. King sits next to the dog just to show she’s OK to be very close to it. Then, she says, she would begin by rubbing the dog’s head.

The canine massage lasts 60 minutes, just as a massage for a human.

King says although owners may not notice it, sometimes their dogs need a full-body massage just as badly as they do.

An hour session is $85 and a 90-minute session is $120 plus a $10 fee for home visits.

For more information go King’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/palpations/.