08/22/2026
What a great way to spend the day. 🐾❤️
Today I had the opportunity to take Canine Myofascial Integration at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute, taught by Advanced Rolfer Jim Pascucci, with Advanced Rolfer Adam Mentzell assisting.
One of my favorite parts was hearing the history and thought process behind the work and how Jim took the human Rolfing® 10-Series, adapted those Structural Integration principles first to horses, developing a Five Series for quadrupeds, and then brought that work to dogs.
The Five Series progresses through the body in a really thoughtful way:
1️⃣ Opening & superficial tissues
2️⃣ Forelimbs
3️⃣ Hind limbs & pelvis
4️⃣ Back & spine
5️⃣ Head, neck & integration
We even got a little taste of Rolfing school with our canine “models” taking their pre and post work runway walks. 🐕 and it was fascinating to see the changes.
I had the chance to work in depth with Oliver, particularly around some spinal restrictions and vertebral rotations. This was very different from the canine massage training and gait analysis exposure I’ve had.
The work is clearly viewed through the lens of Structural Integration and Rolfing—not simply looking at individual muscles, but at relationships, organization, restrictions and how movement transmits through the entire body.
Oliver also made sure to leave his own contribution to the new home of the Rolf Institute…a generous sprinkling of Labrador dog-hair glitter throughout the building. ✨🐕😂
And after a full day of being assessed, worked on and strutting the runway?
Oliver is absolutely toasted. 🐾💤
