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Animal Massage Therapists

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Animal massage therapist join to share their stories and progress with clients and share information and ask questions.

Members: 16
Latest Activity: May 16

Discussion Forum

Canine Massage

I just enrolled in a canine massage course. Can anyone offer any support - the major difference you may see comparing equine to canine massage? What do you love, dislike about it, etc?Continue

Started by Jenna Williams Mar 1, 2012.

Intro 2 Replies

Thanks for joining the group! I know it is currently small, due to it being new. Let's start by getting to know each other. What kind of animals do you practice on? Do you also work on humans?Continue

Started by Jenna Williams. Last reply by Marie Schluter Nov 21, 2011.

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Comment by Daniel Cohen on November 29, 2012 at 1:34pm: Know your own state animal massage laws. They differ tremendously and if you don't know legalese have a paralegal or attorney explain what the terms mean. It all depends on the legal wording.

Comment by Maryshka on November 29, 2012 at 12:00pm: How do animal massage therapists deal with the many prevailing state veterinary board regulations in regards to building a non-veterinary mixed animal massage practice (pitfalls, guidelines, referrals from veterinary community)?

As I understand it, massage therapists cannot work on animal clients unless a veterinary referral is made, or am I midunderstanding something as being out of the scope of massage therapists?

Any/all feedback helpful and thanks!

Comment by Michele Durbois,LMT, NCBTMB on May 26, 2012 at 6:38am: Hi animal body workers, I am new to this group and interested in Equine Massage.

Comment by Jenna Williams on March 1, 2012 at 8:38am: I have to agree with Daniel. Many of these courses just don't offer enough information for the layperson. I too discovered this when I received my equine certification. It was a bare-bones course. If I did not have former equine experience or a seasoned MT, it would not have been a great course. I always continue to educate myself and even the basics like observing gait, etc. was not included in the course.

I now conduct clinics on the topic and have developed a program for horse and riders.

Comment by Daniel Stroup on November 30, 2011 at 6:56am: Hi, My work is primarily horses, trained at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy near Boston. Since it appears you already are a massage therapist a basic course in animal massage would probably be all you need simply because you want to review the antomy differances and any specific issues related to the animals you wish to work on.

I know there are a number of locations which will give short weekend training sessions, which are fine for professionals with a sound working knowledge of anatomy and physiology, but would be inadequate for a layperson to build a business on.

Comment by Sue Coughenour on September 18, 2011 at 7:58am: I am so interested in becoming a certified animal bodyworker, any thoughts on training? I live in St. Louis Mo and have looked into some of the online training. I have worked at an animal hospital for years and am only there a couple of hours a week now. I so miss working with animals. Now I want to incorporate my love of both massage and animals. Thanks for any input!