The UK’s First Clinical Trials in Canine Massage Therapy
Backed by Science. Led by the Canine Massage Therapy Centre.
When it comes to your dog’s wellbeing, you want reassurance, not guesswork. That’s why the Canine Massage Therapy Centre (CMTC) led the first-ever clinical trials into canine massage therapy in partnership with The University of Winchester and the Canine Massage Guild — setting a new standard in evidence-based care.
Published in The Veterinary Record, one of the UK’s most respected veterinary journals, the study focused exclusively on the Lenton Method™ — a targeted approach to soft tissue therapy developed by Natalie Lenton and taught solely through CMTC. This is not research about general or unspecialised massage. This is about our method, our training, and the exceptional results that follow.
The study involved 65 therapists from the Canine Massage Guild and 527 dogs with mobility issues such as lameness, stiffness, and reduced activity — dogs who had already received veterinary diagnosis and care, but were still in discomfort. Each dog received between 1 and 3 massage sessions delivered by fully trained Canine Massage Guild therapists using the Lenton Method™.
The results speak volumes:
95.3% of dogs showed a clear improvement in mobility
93.1% of dogs improved after just 1–2 sessions
Owners reported better movement, reduced stiffness, greater willingness to exercise, and enhanced overall comfort
This groundbreaking research gives dog owners, vets, and canine professionals a clear message: the Lenton Method™ works.
It stands as the only clinically trialled and scientifically validated canine massage method in the UK, confirming what thousands of happy owners have already experienced — that real change happens when you put expert hands to work.
Whether you're booking a treatment with a Guild therapist or learning to massage your dog at home through one of our courses, you’re choosing proven results, not just promises.
Choose the method backed by science.
Choose the team who led the research.
Choose the Lenton Method™.
Studying the Lenton Method
65 therapists from the Canine Massage Guild and 527 dogs participated in this world landmark study that changed the face of canine complementary forever
Evidence Based Research
With a reputation for ethical and applied research and a strong track record in animal welfare and behaviour, Winchester University is renowned for it’s rigorous academic standards
Published in respected peer-reviewed Journal
The Vet Record is a leading authority in publishing veterinary based research. With independent evaluation by experts, the Vet Record standards means that weak or biased research is filtered out. Researchers must justify their methods, ethics and conclusion to promote transparency, honesty and thoroughness and ensure that the research is fit for professional use in the veterinary field