How to Become a Certified Dog Massage Therapist?

Becoming a certified dog massage therapist required a high commitment and time. You also need to take professional classes from experts.

How-to-Become-a-Certified-Dog-Massage-Therapist?
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 Page Contents

What is a massage?

When a massage is performed on a person, it feels relaxing and wonderful. And, of course, dogs would behave in the same way. Dogs that receive massages can have their muscles relaxed and could recover from wounds more quickly and become happier. Additionally, it can strengthen the bond between the dog and the owner. Unfortunately, massage is frequently disregarded despite being the greatest treatment for injuries and strain prevention; only a few individuals seek massage therapy. As people grow older, the straining and stiffness build up over time, leading to poor knees, terrible backs, and many other issues. This issue also applies to all dogs in the same way.

A massage can help dogs relax their muscles, unclench their joints and overall have a deep relaxation. For humans, a massage can clear out stress, especially after a chaotic day. The same applies to dogs as well. Although they do not bear much stress or any pressure the same as we humans do, stress can accumulate negative feelings that humans don't always understand. Since dogs could not talk, the actions or aggressiveness could show how they feel. Massage can heal strains, injuries, and any other kind of treatment. There are times when dogs are under surgery, and massage therapy is the best treatment to help them recover. Massage helps muscles function more efficiently and releases the tired muscles' knots to relax. It usually happens when dogs overuse their muscles which result in muscle straining. Animal massage may use methods including stroking, percussions, compressions, friction, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, or stretching. Massage can be given with or without water, lubricants, salts, cold, or superficial heat.

Choosing the Suitable Courses for You is the Way to Go

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You must engage in academic programs at a professional level to become a licensed canine massage therapist. Here are some ideas to help you pick the best course for yourself. Both onsite and online programs are available. Just like any other, each program has both benefits and drawbacks. In-person programs instruct in a classroom with all the necessary materials provided for you in one place. Instructors provide all the teaching methods personally along with other students. The area of learning is incredibly encouraging for students to concentrate. You may enroll in a similar program if you want to learn in a classroom with others. Although it is a fantastic learning opportunity, it is incredibly inconvenient for students because specific courses require you to go to another region or country.

Let me introduce online course learning methods for canine massages in this regard. Without leaving the comfort of your home, you may learn all the canine massage techniques via your mobiles or desktops. You may learn at your own pace without studying consistently in some courses. It is an excellent opportunity for busy individuals who would like to take some time to learn techniques for canine massages. On the other side, the inability to focus is a disadvantage of online classes. While you may take the lessons whenever and wherever you desire, it doesn't seem like learning. Studies demonstrate that online courses demand greater concentration than traditional sessions. Online courses also prevent students from directly communicating with and learning from the instructors. Numerous more inconvenient factors exist, such as purchasing your learning materials and practicing alone. Both online and traditional learning courses have their pros and cons. Don't hesitate to choose one if it appeals to you. The first step to becoming a licensed canine massage therapist is enrolling in professional courses.

Can Unlicensed Massage Therapists Practice?

According to Law By State, only a few nations and countries let animal massage therapists work without a license. While only a few states allow practice under certified supervision. And many more governments prohibit any forms of practice. Please check the specific state legislation relevant to the state in which you wish to work before registering for an animal massage therapist course or if you are a resident intending to attend a class and apply your knowledge for a company. You could opt to live in one state and work in another, allowing you to practice within the confines of that state's legal system.

Here are the Top Programs for a Certified Canine Massage Therapist

You must enroll in professional courses and earn a certificate of completion to practice as a licensed professional animal massage therapist. Please conduct additional research to learn about more courses as we might not have covered everything. These are some of the best examinations and courses you can take.

Dog Massage Training Course | Udemy - udemy.com: Udemy is one of the top online courses with various courses. This online dog massage course will give you the skill set to give your dog an amazing massage experience. You will be taught Sports and Relaxation massage techniques and the correct ways to apply pressure. Learn the course at your own pace!

Stroking a yawning dog
Photo by nomao saeki / Unsplash

Canine Massage Online Certification Course: This course provides the foundation knowledge and fundamental and advanced massage techniques needed to practice Canine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy (CMFT) successfully. This online course consists of PowerPoint, video presentations, and demonstrative videos with homework assignments and quizzes. Learn the course at your own pace!

NBCAAM: NBCAAM provides certification exams for acupressure and massage, as well as networking and legal assistance for practitioners, students, and schools. First, choose a school that meets their standards to allow you to sit for the exam. Then, take the exam to become a certified canine massage therapist!

Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme: Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Program offers the most up-to-date and comprehensive training in canine massage therapy.

DURATION: 2-year course considers your journey after you have completed the course.

LOCATION: Home study & practical courses in Worcestershire (UK).

COURSE COSTS: £5595 plus VAT (intake 2022/3 may be subject to change).

Entry requirement: A Degree or qualification in a relevant field, e.g., medical / bodywork, or You are an established Myofascial Release therapist for humans or Massage Therapist with training above Level 3 Or A high level of relevant experience, or You have attended a 1-day workshop / and or watched the DVD + Have completed the written formal qualifying questions with evidence-based research + 8 GCSE's or equivalent 3 A Levels or equivalent.

Canine Remedial Massage Certificate Course no prior experience is required: A certificate in canine remedial massage gives you the qualifications to start your own canine massage business or be hired to work in a veterinary clinic. With over 19 years of personal experience and five years of teaching, you'll learn the latest and most up-to-date methods and scientifically proven techniques. Sign up immediately to save $100 and get your name added to the waiting list. For more information, please visit the link!

Northwest School of Animal Massage provides short seminars on various subjects, including patented Manual Ligament Therapy training. In addition, it offers advanced courses for performance and rehabilitation massage and blended learning certification courses. Northwest School of animal massage has eight programs in total. The school is located at Paxhia Farm on Vashon Island, Washington. Depending on your chosen course, the period only lasts 1 to 4 days.

CanineMassageBookInfo.pdf This book provides details on a comprehensive guide for training as a licensed dog massage therapist. Check out this article if you're a dog lover who wants to help your pets with a massage. This comprehensive guide was created by the authors using both expertise and research. The guide illustrates the bodily anatomy of dogs for easy understanding of their bodies. Owners will have more knowledge about their pet dogs.


Becoming a certified dog massage therapist is not an easy because you need to take  courses with profressional instructiors. Futhermore, it takes quite sometimes and committment to complete the class.

Please check out these articles, you will find them very informative and useful:
- All You Need to Know About Australian Shepherds
- Best 11 Essential Items for Your Pet Care
-Free Dog Training Ebooks

References

References

Kralj, B. (2019). Dog Massage Training Course. Udemy. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from https://www.google.com/aclksa=l&ai=DChcSEwj49Nu9xrb5AhUTVGAKHZXpAOIYABAAGgJ0bQ&sig=AOD64_2IDZuVHib_abGwyLIPaDQSQv0eg&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjFstK9xrb5AhWMp1YBHbh6CWcQ0Qx6BAgCEAE.


Canine Massage Online Certification Course. Holistic Animal Courses. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/canine-massage-certification.html.


Canine remedial massage certificate course by Canine Health & Wellbeing Academy. Canine Health and Wellbeing Academy. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from https://www.caninehealthacademy.com/course/canine-remedial-massage/.


Northwest School of Animal Massage. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from https://www.nwsam.com/.


Chiquoine, J., & Jackson, L. A Dog's Lover Guide to Canine Massage. Caninemassagebook.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from http://caninemassagebook.com/CanineMassageBookInfo.pdf.


Law, B. (2020). Why You Should Give Your Dog a Massage - Law's Country Kennel. Law's Country Kennel. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from https://www.lawscountrykennel.com/fort-wayne-pet-boarding/why-you-should-give-your-dog-a-massage/.


Canine massage - Wikipedia. En.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 9 August 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_massage.