Volume
4, Issue
2 -
May
2004
Have
you
Massaged
Your
Rabbit
Today?
by Rhonda
Reich,
Massage
Therapist
When I first visited the Colorado House Rabbit Society a number of years ago with the intention of massaging the rabbits, I had no idea how they would respond. Bunnies from Pueblo who had been abused and uptight were turning to mush in my hands. That’s when I realized that massage for bunnies was just as beneficial as it is for humans.
Studies
have
shown
that
touch
is essential
for
the
growth
and
development
of all
socially
dependent
beings.
Touch
is a
most
powerful
form
of non-verbal
communication,
which
allows
for
both
a physical
and
spiritual
connection.
Massage
takes
touch
to a
level
way
beyond
“petting”
our
animals.
Massage
is a
focused
and
deliberate
way
of touching
your
animal.
Your
intention
with
each
stroke
is controlled
as to
technique
and
pressure.
Your
hands
can
be the
conduits
by which
healing
energy
can
flow
through
to your
rabbit.
As you
begin
to massage
your
rabbit
you
will
notice
that
you
can
sense
areas
of tightness,
pain,
and
restriction.
The
benefits
of massage
therapy
are
numerous,
they
include
but
are
not
limited
to,
flushing
out
toxins,
increased
oxygen,
blood
flow,
and
nutrients
to the
muscles,
stimulate
healing
and
improve
disposition.
It is
fascinating
to feel
your
rabbit’s
body
and
be able
to distinguish
the
different
size
and
shape
of the
different
bones
and
muscles.
Through
learning
to massage
your
rabbit
you
will
become
familiar
with
your
rabbits
anatomy,
bony
landmarks,
and
muscles.
This
will
help
you
to understand
when
something
is awry.
You
will
be able
to start
to feel
areas
of inflammation,
coolness,
heat,
lumps,
bumps,
warts,
and
tender
spots.
This
will
help
alert
you
to when
a vet
visit
is necessary.
Rabbits
are
prey
animals,
and
therefore,
they
can
be very
skittish.
When
rabbits
are
healthy,
they
are
sociable
beings
who
enjoy
interacting
with
other
animals
and
humans.
Massage
will
help
your
bunny
be more
receptive
to being
handled
and
create
a closer
bond
between
the
two
of you.
It is
important
that
you
approach
your
bunny
with
a very
tender,
caring
touch,
and
very
positive
thoughts.
Giving
your
bunny
massage
should
also
be relaxing
to you
and
put
you
in a
kind
of meditative
state,
where
your
own
blood
pressure
and
pulse
rate
are
reduced.
As a
Zen
Master
once
said,
“you
can
become
one
with
your
bunny.”
Rabbit Massage classes are offered by Animal Massage Therapist Rhonda Reich through the Colorado House Rabbit Society. If you are interested in learning to massage your rabbits, contact Nancy at co-hrs@comcast.net. The cost is $40 per person, $50 for a couple.
NOTE
from
Nancy
LaRoche,
Chapter
Co-Manager:
We have
had
two
massage
classes
for
bunny
parents
so far,
and
a third
one
is being
scheduled.
If you
learn
to massage
your
rabbits,
and
do it
regularly,
you
will
find
that
they
become
more
and
more
comfortable
with
you.
