Complete Canine Massage Certification Career Builder Course

Course Name

Complete Canine Massage Certification Career Builder Course

Contact Hours: 200 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide high quality instructional training in the field of Canine Massage Therapy. This course is not designed to “Treat or Diagnose” but to enhance your canine companion's overall well-being and enhance the powerful human/animal connection through healing touch.

This course includes twelve lessons to be completed at your own pace. It is suggested that you take time to practice the information presented in each lesson, therefore one lesson per week is recommended.
 
You may request a one-on-one Skype visit, with the Instructor, as needed during the online course. There is a one hour onsite (or Skype) visit required once the online course is completed. This hands-on assessment is intended to help you perfect the hands-on techniques learned and assure the safety of the animal being massaged.

Once registered, students will receive an email from the Instructor who will help the student get set up and answer any questions they may have. Students will also receive an email containing online lessons for the course. Students should proceed through the course at their own pace. One lesson per week is recommended.


TOPICS COVERED

  1. Breath and meditation techniques to help promote your animals relaxation.
  2. Specific massage techniques designed to decrease your animals pain, improve their flexibility and promote their overall health.
  3. Over 20 hands-on healing techniques to help ward off long-term illnesses, help your canine companion to live a balanced and healthful life and ensure their liveliness and longevity.
  4. Orthopedic conditions, Business of Canine Massage and Canine Nutrition.
LESSONS
  • Lesson one prepares the student for the course and includes a Hand Energizing exercise and medical intake instruction.
  • Lesson two includes 50 hours of Anatomy and Physiology.
  • Lessons three through nine include written instruction (with diagrams) explaining each hands-on massage technique including its benefits and any contraindications for the massage stroke. Following the written lecture are hands-on video demonstrations of each massage technique and how to do it on the dog. Following each video demonstration are audio meditations designed to help you focus and relax in preparation for your next lesson.
  • Lesson ten discusses Orthopedic Pathologies. Students learn common canine orthopedic pathologies.
  • Lesson eleven is regarding Business and helps the student to establish a vision then prepare, and execute, a business and marketing plan in preparation to become a professional Canine Massage Therapist.
  • Lesson twelve concerns Nutrition
                - Learn how to assess your canine client and choose the right diet according to the age of dog, activity level of dog, breed and                         environment.
                - Understand how proper diet relates to various health conditions and how to choose the correct diet for the specific dog. Know                         the correct diet for elderly dogs.
                - Understand Dog food ingredients discussed in this lesson.
                - Know the foods that are toxic to dogs.

A homework assignment is included at the end of each lesson and is designed to help the student learn each technique by practicing it outside of class.

After completing the online portion of the course, students must demonstrate their mastery of the course content. The student must schedule a Skype visit with the instructor in order to demonstrate the hands-on techniques learned throughout the online course. The student is required to show personal picture identification (drivers license, passport or other) at the start of the Skype visit.


PREREQUISITES

To be eligible for our certificate courses, a student must have previous experience handling canines and :
  1. Be at least 18 years of age (prospective students under age 18 may be admitted with the approval of the students parent/guardian and with the submission of a parental release form).
  2. Be socially and psychologically capable of performing massage.
  3. Be physically able to perform massage.
  4. Possess a high school diploma, or its equivalent, or otherwise successfully take and pass the GED ability-to-benefit test or equivalent.
  5. Be able to read and employ conversational English and have a grasp of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.


Outcome

Students completing all program requirements will receive a certificate of completion from the Ojai School of Canine Massage.

Assessment

There are online quizzes for the Anatomy/Physiology portion of the course (lesson two). All online quizzes are open book and may be taken more than once. Only two times are necessary to take the quizzes. The quizzes are not timed. All online quizzes require a score of 75% or greater in order to pass.

Outline

Course Syllabus: A 200-hour online Canine Massage Course

Home Page

  • Course contents
  • Testimonials
  • About Nick Scott, Instructor
Lesson 1 – Preparation for Touch/Starting the Journey
  • Medical Charting/Contraindications and Precautions for canine massage.
  • Silent Meditation Instruction and Hand Energizing video
Lesson 2 – Anatomy and Physiology – 50 hours
  • Reading Assignment followed by an online test following each chapter.
  • Textbook: Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians; Colville ISBN-13: 978-0323227933
Lesson 3 – Canine Swedish Massage
  • Swedish stroke definitions and contraindications
  • Video demonstration-Swedish strokes
  • Meditation preparation and audio
Lesson 4 – Canine Trigger Point Therapy
  • Definition/Description of trigger point therapy
  • Video demonstration (Human demonstration and dog massage demonstration)
  • Sound Meditation description and audio
Lesson 5 – Canine Acupressure
  • Description and diagrams of canine acupressure.
  • Video demonstration of the various canine acupressure techniques.
  • Taoist Meditation descriptions and audio.
Lesson 6 – Canine Myofascial Release
  • Definition/Description of canine myofascial release.
  • Video demonstration
  • Mirror Meditation
Lesson 7 – TTouch For Dogs One
  • Description and Origination of TTouch massage
  • MassageDescription/Diagrams/Uses of 11 TTouch strokes.
  • Video demonstration of 11 TTouch strokes

Books

There are four required textbooks & a DVD that must be purchased separately.

1) Getting In TTouch With Your Dog
2) Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians
3) Dog Anatomy, A Coloring Atlas
4) DVD: Therapeutic Holistic Dog Massage



Textbooks may be purchased on Amazon.com. You may purchase two of the books as used, however one of your assignments will be to color in the "Dog Anatomy, A Coloring Atlas" book, so please purchase that particular book as new. There is an ebook option for two of the books as well.

Total Cost of Books and Materials: Approximately $200