What you can expect during treatment

What you can expect from 1st treatment

During your pet’s first appointment, the goal is simply to create calm, confidence and trust.
Please allow around 1 hour for the initial session.

The first session includes gentle observation, getting to know your pet’s personality, and giving them time to feel safe in my presence. Many animals need a few minutes just to settle — and that is absolutely normal and respected.

The hands-on part of the session is usually 15–20 minutes, as the body needs only small, precise input to begin shifting into repair mode. Follow-up sessions are usually 45 minutes.

Learning about your animal

Before I arrive, you’ll complete an online questionnaire so I can understand your pet’s lifestyle, daily habits, medical history, temperament, previous injuries, and the reasons you’re seeking support.

During the consultation, we’ll discuss this in more detail.
If you have a veterinary diagnosis or report, please bring it — it helps build a clearer picture of your pet’s needs.

There is no manipulation, cracking, needles, oils, or force in Animal Bowen Therapy. It is a gentle, hands-on technique suitable for sensitive animals or those who struggle with other forms of treatment.

Familiarity

Every animal responds differently during their first appointment.
Some are excited and eager to interact, while others are unsure and prefer to approach slowly. Both responses are completely normal.

The opening of the session is simply about letting your pet take their time. When they feel familiar with me and the environment, they naturally relax, which allows the therapy to work more deeply.

Observation

While your pet is observing me, I am quietly observing them — posture, gait, muscle tone, symmetry, tension patterns, and general movement.

For dogs, I may watch them walk or turn, if they are comfortable.
Their wellbeing comes first — I will never ask an animal to do anything they resist.

Sometimes I may take a short video or photo of their posture (with your permission) so we can track progress over time.

To give your pet the best experience, it’s ideal to book their session at a calm time of day — not right before feeding or a walk. Animals relax more deeply when the environment feels quiet and unhurried.

Assessment

Before any moves are made, I gently run my hands over your pet’s body to let them adjust to touch.
This palpation helps identify tension, temperature changes, restricted areas, and patterns of imbalance.

This stage also allows your pet to understand that the session is gentle and safe.
Once your pet feels settled, we begin the Bowen moves.

Treatment

When your pet indicates they are ready, I apply small, precise Bowen moves over specific points on the body using gentle pressure with my fingers and thumbs.

These moves lightly disturb the fascia and surrounding tissues, sending messages to the nervous system that encourage the body to rebalance and begin healing.

Although the technique looks subtle, the effects can be profound — often promoting deep relaxation, calmer breathing and improved ease of movement.

Throughout the session I carefully monitor your pet’s comfort and responses.

Bowen Therapy is never forced on an animal.
If your pet shows any sign that they need a pause or prefer not to receive a move, their wishes are always respected.

The Breaks

Breaks are an essential part of Bowen Therapy.
After a set of moves, we pause for around 2 minutes (sometimes longer). These breaks allow:

the nervous system to integrate the input
the body to process the changes
the animal to move freely, stretch, lie down, or take space

Breaks provide emotional safety and prevent overwhelm — especially during a first appointment.

Going at their pace

Animals are highly intuitive about their own bodies.
Many will naturally wander away after a few moves, stretch, shake off tension, or lie down before returning for more. These behaviours show that their nervous system is processing deeply.

Your pet dictates both the rhythm and amount of work they receive.
“Less is more” is a key principle of Animal Bowen Therapy.

Will my pet need to be lifted onto a treatment table?
No. Dogs are treated on the floor, where they feel free to move around as needed.
Cats and small animals may be treated on a comfortable table if they prefer being elevated.

Your pet is always allowed to choose the most comfortable position for them.

Never Forced

Animal Bowen Therapy is entirely cooperative.
If your pet clearly indicates they want to stop or avoid a particular move, we listen.
Trust and safety are essential for the body to shift into healing mode.

Reactions

Animals often show subtle or obvious signs of release during or after a move. These may include:

yawning
stretching
licking and chewing
blinking or softening of the eyes
shaking
deeper breathing
gentle twitching through the skin
lying down or repositioning themselves

These reactions are positive and indicate that the body is processing and recalibrating.

Can I bring a mat or blanket along for my pet?
Yes — if it helps them feel settled, please bring a familiar blanket or mat.
We avoid toys or treats during the session, as excitement can disrupt the relaxation state needed for the body to heal.

They are intuitive

Each animal experiences Bowen Therapy in their own way.
Once they are familiar with me, many pets will present a specific area of their body — a shoulder, hip, or neck — because they instinctively know where they need support.

Your pet’s body guides the session.
My role is simply to listen, respond, and assist.

Follow up

A Bowen session can continue working through the body for up to 7 days.
During this time, you may see changes in posture, movement, mood, energy or sleep.

Aftercare advice is provided and should be followed for the best results.

A follow-up session is often helpful around one week after the initial appointment so we can reassess how your pet has responded and decide on the next steps.

Animal Bowen Therapy practitioners do not diagnose conditions or prescribe/alter medication.
Bowen Therapy is not a substitute for veterinary care, but works beautifully alongside veterinary treatment to support comfort, mobility, and wellbeing.

Please ensure your pet is well on the day of treatment and not showing signs of illness such as coughing, vomiting or diarrhoea. If they are unwell, please contact your vet first.

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