Canine Touch is a gentle method – there is not the use of excessive strength or pressure. It is a hands-on technique as our moves are performed by hands and fingers, without any other tools. It is non-invasive – we base our technique on respect to dogs and CT students are taught to perform the modality with correct integrity and intent, keeping the dog’s comfort as a priority. CT addresses the whole body, and after detecting the Areas of Concern, moves are additionally applied over those troubled parts. CT is non-diagnostic and the decision of which area will be addressed is based on the dog’s reactions, the soft tissue response during the pre-session observation and in-session palpation.

By our definition The Canine Touch is gentle bodywork, consisting of specific moves that are choreographed into individual procedures and a balancing technique, addressing the whole body.

The unique CT moves are applied to the soft tissue such as fascia, muscles and tendons. Releasing the tension in those structures may assist the body to re-align and rebalance itself as well as to improve the dog’s posture. As the moves may also affect the blood and lymph circulation one can notice changes in healing of injuries or initiation of the “detox” process. “Talking” to the nervous system brings about the general relaxation – the first and most important step towards the healing and regeneration of the body.

In CT we talk about the ‘two-way information flow’; the moves can talk to the body, but they also can supply us with information about the state of the dog’s skin, fascia and muscles. While performing the CT moves sensitive hands can feel what is going on underneath the skin. This allows us to better understand how our dog feels or where he has the real problem.

CT technique can be great tool to improve the quality of the dog’s wellbeing, on the physical and also on the emotional level. It can also help to improve the relationship between the owner and the dog, as another method of communication.

CT can be used on its own as a unique bodywork address or in conjunction with other holistic modalities; it works well with homeopathy and acupuncture for example.

The Canine Touch was developed, researched and choreographed by MVDr. Ivana Ruddock as a result of being influenced by the human and equine bodywork principles pioneered by her late husband Jock Ruddock.

Ivana graduated from Veterinary University in Brno (Czech Republic) in the science of small animals and horses. After meeting Jock, and successfully using the Equine Touch, Ivana started to “experimentally” transfer the moves and some of the ET procedures onto dogs. After seeing great changes and noticing the results she started the “true” research into dog’s bodywork.

Over a period of 10 years the Canine Touch became a modality in its own right, with specific procedures and moves. There are three special CT moves to help accommodate the differences in dog’s skin, in comparison, for example with horses. Individual procedures are designed to cover areas that are often the common sites of injuries – once again vastly different from human or equine issues (e.g. cruciate ligament injuries or hip dysplasia).

Ivana’s goal is to bring the CT technique to large numbers of dog owners, for she believes that they are the most important key in the wellbeing of their dogs. Her CT classes are easy to follow. To support her students in the home environment she wrote a book “The Canine Touch – a Better way to Understand your Dog”. Besides her Touch techniques, Ivana is interested in other holistic modalities such as homeopathy, nutrition and acupuncture.

She is traveling around the world continuing to teach The Equine Touch and Canine Touch and performing her unique Whole Horse Dissection classes.