Animal Osteopathic Manual Therapy in Toronto
Less stiffness, more zoomies.
Gentle whole-body care to help your pet move better and age easier.
I work with pets of all kinds: dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, and more.
What is animal osteopathy?
Animal osteopathy is a holistic approach to whole-body health and musculoskeletal issues through non-invasive manual therapy. It's complementary to veterinary care, not a replacement for routine check-ups.
Animals, like humans, experience muscle and joint pain, especially as they grow, play, and enter their senior years. From my perspective, animal osteopathy looks very similar to what I do with my humans, but from the outside it might just look like I'm hanging out, petting, and hugging your little cutie. That's because animals are more sensitive than us, they have nerves that can pinpoint exactly where a fly lands. So the work is always gentle, always tailored to the individual I'm working with.
And it's not just about fixing problems. A few weeds are easier to take care of than an overgrown forest — regular treatment keeps small issues from becoming big ones.
What can animal osteopathy treat?
Sports injuries
Constipation
Some behavioural issues (if caused by pain)
Spinal Asymmetries
Gait issues
Limping
Aging problems, arthritis, and stiffness
Joint, neck, and back pain
Hip and limb pain
Post-operative support
What to expect
At the Appointment:
We'll start by chatting about your animal's health history — injuries, surgeries, changes in behaviour, lifestyle. Then I'll do a thorough assessment, checking for motion preferences, asymmetries, and muscular and fascial imbalances. Treatment is tailored to their age, activities, and what I find. Once we have a clear picture, we'll chat about next steps.
After the Appointment:
Your animal might feel a bit like they've had a full day at the park — a little tired, potentially a little invigorated. This is the healing process kicking in. I recommend rest for 1–2 days after treatment, and after 24 hours they'll let you know when they're ready to get back to it.
Follow ups:
How often depends on their unique story — age, history, and what they're into. Agility dogs benefit from regular tune-ups to stay in top shape and avoid injury. Senior animals often do well with more frequent visits to improve mobility and keep stiffness at bay.
Why I got into Animal Osteopathy
Adopting my dog was the spark that led me to work with animals. Early on we discovered that my dog had joint pain and worked with our vet to figure out what he needed to live a happy, pain free life. The whole time going through that process, I thought to my self “I should be able to help him”. That led me to pursue specialized training in animal osteopathy, and now I get to support mobility, comfort, and quality of life in both humans and their furry companions.
Animals don’t hide their discomfort or fake their reactions, and working with them has taught me to listen more closely, respond more gently, and trust the body’s cues.
“W absolutely loved her last treatment with you and we definitely see improvement. Over the past week she is able to get up on the couch and is managing her walks better. Thanks so much for helping W to have a better quality of life at this stage of her life.”
“My dog has had 2 injuries where Emma has provided reassurance and relief!
The first injury (shoulder), the veterinarian couldn’t diagnose anything even after x-rays. We spent a lot of money with no answer. Emma’s treatment provided fast relief and the dog healed very quickly. Today we went back after a case of “limp tail” and a kink on the tail. After the 30 minute treatment, my dog was happily wagging her tail and the kink is unnoticeable!”
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Pricing + Booking
Free meet & greet · 15 min
Come say hi! This is great for animals who are nervous of new people and spaces
Initial appointment · 45 min · $60 (Incl. HST)
Follow-up · 30 min · $60 (Incl. HST)
📩 Have questions? Send me a note I’m happy to chat!
Animal Osteopathy Resources and FAQs
Check out my Patient Resources for more pet friendly treats
FAQs
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Animal osteopathic manual therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach to whole-body health for animals. Using the same principles I apply with my human patients, I assess and treat the muscles, joints, fascia, and nervous system to improve mobility, reduce tension, and support your pet's overall wellbeing. From the outside, it might just look like I'm giving your pet a very attentive cuddle, but there's a lot happening under the surface.
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No! And it's not meant to be. Animal osteopathy is complementary to veterinary care, not a replacement for it. If your pet has an undiagnosed condition, I'll always encourage you to check in with your vet. Think of it like how you might see both a doctor and an osteopath: they work best together.
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Nope! You can book directly without a referral. That said, if your pet has a recent diagnosis, surgery, or ongoing treatment, I'd love to know about it so I can tailor the session accordingly. And I love working with vets so they know what’s going on with your pet’s health.
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I work with city pets of all kinds: dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, and more. If you're not sure whether I can help your animal, just send me a note and we can chat.
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It depends on your policy. Some pet insurance plans cover complementary and alternative therapies, and some don't. (Most don’t - that’s why I keep my prices so low).
I'd recommend checking directly with your provider. I'm happy to provide a receipt with all the details you'd need to submit a claim.
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All appointments are at my clinic at 240 Roncesvalles Ave in Toronto.
For animals who are nervous about new environments, I offer a free 15-minute meet and greet so they can sniff around, get comfortable, and meet me before any treatment happens.
Home visits aren't something I'm able to offer right now, but the meet and greet goes a long way for anxious pets.
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It really depends on what's going on. Some pets feel significant relief after one session; others benefit from a short course of treatment followed by occasional maintenance. I'll always give you an honest picture of what I'd recommend after the initial appointment. And if it’s just not the right fit, no problem. Above all I want what’s best for your pet.
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Honestly? Most animals are remarkably good at regulating themselves, they don't need manual therapy the way humans often do. That said, if your pet is active, aging, or has a history of injury, a seasonal tune-up can be a great way to keep things moving well and catch small imbalances before they become bigger ones.
I'd rather give you an honest answer than talk you into appointments your pet doesn't need.