Heidi Armstrong
Founder of Canine Athlete's Toolbox, trained in canine trigger point massage therapy
I completed 100 hours of training in canine trigger point massage therapy, including passing oral and written testing on canine anatomy, muscle physiology, and the canine trigger point map. Following my training, I completed an internship in the rehabilitation department of a board-certified orthopedic specialist and am a fully insured member of the American Board of Massage Professionals.
I am deeply grateful to my close friend, Ken Bain, LMT/MTI, who became my canine trigger point massage therapy teacher. Ken is one of the first people to map canine trigger points and traveled with the US world agility teams.
Photo Gallery
Heidi's Personal & Professional Journey
Lifelong bond with horses & dogs
I’ve been enamored with dogs and horses for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories includes walking down the overwhelmingly crowded sidewalks of New York City holding my grandma’s hand and staring longingly at every dog that we passed—wondering if some kismet could allow for us both to stop at the same time so I could pet the dog.
Injury as a Professional Athlete
My injury led me to my passion of helping athletes overcome the mental and emotional fallout of injury and create Injured Athlete’s Toolbox in 2012.
Personal Canine Athletes and Rehabilitation
Bella, the Rally Master & Therapy dog
In 2006, Bella and agility led me to Ken Bain, LMT/MTI, who became a close friend and ultimately my canine trigger point massage therapy teacher and mentor in 2024.
Cheza, the National Trick dog & Tiny Athlete Prodigy
In 2020, after Bella’s passing, Dan and I rescued Cheza (meaning “play” in Swahili). She captivates people with her merle spots, party face, and perpetually wagging hook tail. She spreads joy and smiles wherever she goes.
Cheza and I love learning tricks together. Her specialty is balancing, and, together, we perform some of the most difficult tricks we can dream up.
As my friend Suzanne said,
“Caretaking at that level of any person or animal either deepens a relationship or damages it. Done properly, it is a new journey together into lands neither one of you wanted to travel, but at least you’re together!”
It’s not lost on me that both Cheza and I are the recipients of knee surgery and rehabilitation. For each of us, everything felt like it was going wrong and then it turned right in a way I would never have been brave enough to dream up.