250-hour Online Certification Course
Our online Canine Massage Certification Course allows you to learn a new profession, from your home, at your home pace. This Course includes audio, video, and written instruction.
This comprehensive canine massage distance learning course provides high-quality instructional training in canine massage therapy. You will learn over 20 hands-on massage techniques, which, when performed regularly, can significantly benefit the dog and help heal various canine musculoskeletal and physiological imbalances. As in our onsite canine massage class, this program focuses on therapeutic massage, which requires a working knowledge of the dog’s anatomy, physiology, common pathological conditions, gait/conformation, nutrition, and behavior. You will gain access to many additional educational resources in this Course.
Course Instructor: Nick Scott, C.M.T./L.M.T.
Tuition cost: $1,750
Students may register and purchase the entire Online Canine Massage course or lessons in pairs of two. You can do this by purchasing lessons directly from our website. Students taking the online certification course may come onsite for all, a portion, or none of the 5 1/2-day onsite course ($850). The total tuition for both the onsite and online courses is $2,600. For those students planning to come onsite, tuition is due in full by the first day of the onsite class.
This course has no prerequisites. The student must have previous experience owning or handling canines. You need no prior knowledge of massage to take this course and succeed in the canine massage field.
-This online course allows you to learn at your own pace.
-The instructor is readily available to video or audio chat with you online to answer questions and support your learning process.
-Human massage therapists will find this course a great addition to their already existing massage practice.
You may purchase online lessons in pairs or the entire online certification course (Lessons 1-12) by clicking below or call us at +1-805-640-9798 to assist with your enrollment process.
I want to express how valuable the Ojai School of Canine Massage course has been in my life. I am now teaching full-time at the National Holistic Institute. Working with animals at OSOCM has been invaluable in appreciating the value of energy-focused work. Shortly after finishing your course, my son’s dog was hit by a car, dislocating his humeroulnar joint. The lessons from your course have been invaluable in his rehabilitation, easing his path to recovery. I often convey to my current massage students the rich lessons to be learned from your course and the many diverse benefits of working with animals. BLESS you!” Edward S.
Organization of the Online Canine Massage course:
This course includes 12 lessons (lesson 12 is optional) which may be completed at your own pace. Upon completing this course, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the hands-on techniques learned.
Each lesson includes written instruction (with diagrams) explaining each hands-on canine 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. These meditations will help you learn to “tune into” the dog’s mental, emotional, physical, and energetic state.
The homework assignments at the end of each lesson are designed to help you learn each technique by practicing it outside of class. Please take time to practice the information presented in each lesson.
Course Objectives:
- Provide students with a well rounded education, in canine therapeutic massage, so that they can succeed in the business of canine massage. To prepare the layperson, who just wants to learn more about their dog, learn how to apply professional canine massage techniques on their dog.
- Provide students with deeply relaxing breath and meditation techniques to help promote you and your animals relaxation, and prepare you for the hands-on healing journey.
- Introduce specific canine massage techniques designed to ward off stress and illness, improve flexibility and promote you and your animal companions overall health.
- Gain a new skill or complement your current work with canine massage.
- Experience the transformative effects of healing massage for both you and your canine friends and enhance the powerful bond between you.
- Assess and understand how proper nutrition relates to various health conditions and how to choose the correct diet for the specific dog.
- Help your canine companion, and other dogs, to live a balanced and healthful life and ensure their liveliness and longevity.
Required Textbooks & DVD:
Please click on links below to order. Please allow time for shipping (lesson One of the online course does not require a textbook). One of your assignments will be to “color-in” the Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas, so please do not buy this book used. There is an ebook option for two of the books as well. You can download the required Holistic Dog Massage video by clicking the link below.
Getting In TTouch With Your Dog
Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians
Holistic Dog Massage Video – Download Video
Total Cost of Books and Materials: approximately $175
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Course Syllabus: A 250-hour Online Canine Massage certification course
Case Study Requirements: Throughout this course, as part of your homework, you are required to conduct ten full sessions involving multiple animals. These sessions may include more than one session with the same animal. Your instructor, Nick Scott, will review the documentation for these sessions.
Please use the Massage Intake Forms (available in the Client Documentation link located on page six of Lesson One) for your Case Studies. The purpose of these fully documented case studies is to demonstrate your ability to perform full sessions for your target animal and accurately document the session. The information on the Massage Intake form will also help identify any contraindications for massaging your dog and determine the best way to assist the animals you are working with.
Lesson 1– Preparation for Touch/Starting the Journey
- Basic First Aid for the dog and cat (not a First Aid certification class). Your instructor will send you a video link to view. If you are interested in becoming certified in Pet CPR & First Aid, please visit PetTech at www.pettech.net.
- Medical Charting, Contraindications, Animal Handling & Safety, Canine Gait Assessment, Hygiene. Canine Gait Analysis: Covers canine locomotion, structural analysis, conformation of the dog, video taping of canine gaiting patterns and correct charting. Canine Safety, Hygiene and Handling: Covers the basics of safe handling, simple training techniques, identification of animal behavior patterns and canine communication signals.
- Legal Issues.
- Silent Meditation Instruction and Hand Energizing video.
** Following each lesson, 2-8, are hands-on video demonstrations of each massage technique and how to do it on the dog. Each video demonstration includes audio meditations designed to help you focus and relax in preparation for your next lesson.
Lesson 2– Canine Swedish Massage
- Canine Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 1 and 2): Covers canine skeletal and muscular anatomy. Throughout Lessons 2-8, students will learn the names of all the bones in the animal’s body, major boney landmarks, and the body’s major muscles, including their origins, insertions, and actions. While studying physiology in lessons 2-8, students will learn the functions of the 11 systems of the body and the basics of animal nutrition. Palpation: Students will learn to palpate the major boney landmarks and trace the major muscles of the body. Students will also learn acupressure meridians and basic treatment point location.
Anatomy Palpation Class - Swedish stroke definitions and actions.
- Video demonstrations of Swedish massage strokes.
- Meditation preparation and audio.
Lesson 3– Canine Trigger Point Therapy
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 3 and 4)
- Definition and Description- How to apply trigger point therapy.
- Video demonstrations on humans and dogs- Trigger point therapy application.
- Sound Meditation description and audio.
Lesson 4– Canine Acupressure
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 5 and 6)
- Description and diagrams of canine acupressure meridian and acupressure points.
- Video demonstration of Tui Na and canine acupressure techniques.
- Taoist Meditation descriptions and audio.
Lesson 5– Canine Myofascial Release
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 7 and 8)
- Definition and description- Application of canine myofascial release.
- Video demonstrations of canine myofascial release techiques.
- Mirror Meditation.
Lesson 6– TTouch for Dogs One
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 9 and 10)
- Description of Tellington Touch methods.
- First 11 TTouch technique descriptions, definitions and video demonstrations.
- Breath cleansing instructional video.
Lesson 7– TTouch for Dogs Two
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 11 and 12)
- Description and uses for 8 additional TTouch techniques.
- Additional 8 TTouch technique descriptions, definitions and video demonstrations.
- Pranayama meditations and audio.
Lesson 8– Stretching
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapters 13 and 14)
- Passive Stretching, Post Isometric Relaxation and Active Isolated Stretching.
- Video demonstrations of Canine Stretching Routines.
- Candle and Dream Meditation.
Lesson 9– Orthopedic Pathologies
- Anatomy and Physiology (Chapter 15)
- Common canine Orthopedic Pathologies: Students will learn about the top 10 canine and feline pathologies and how to identify the signs and symptoms of these pathologies. Zoonoses and communicable diseases will also be covered in this class.
- Links to common Orthopedic surgical procedures.
- Videos of canine Orthopedic surgeries.
Lesson 10– Business as it relates to the field of Canine Massage.
- Business Development: Students will establish a vision and learn how to develop a successful business in the field of Canine Massage. You will develop a business plan and learn how to market their canine massage services. You will leave this class with your business and marketing plan in hand, along with your business card design and gift certificates (if applicable).
Lesson 11– Nutrition
- Learn proper nutritional guidelines for dogs and cats.
- Learn the relationship between pet food, health and disease.
- Learn about dog food ingredients.
Lesson 12 (Optional Lesson)- Hydro and Thermal therapy
- Covers indications and contraindications for hydrotherapy, application of hot and cold packs, cryotherapy and commercially available therapy packs.
**This is not an aquatic therapy class. If you are looking for a swim therapy, or a canine aquatic therapy class, then please check with the IAAMB.
Quizzes-
During the course, there are open book online quizzes for Anatomy and Physiology. Online quizzes are not timed and can be taken more than once. Students taking only the Online Course are required to schedule a Skype visit with the instructor during, or at the end of, the course in order to demonstrate the hands on techniques learned (not required for onsite students). There are no required internships or externships in this class.
Graduation-
Students completing all program requirements will receive a certificate of completion from the Ojai School of Canine Massage.
**THERE IS NO CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSURE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SMALL ANIMAL MASSAGE PROGRAM.
Suggestions-
** Please feel free to contact me if you require help, or if you have questions regarding the course. Please send email correspondence to Nick Scott at [email protected]. Thank you!
“Regular massage is an effective way to contribute to the well-being of animals and help them live in a balanced and healthful way while enhancing the loving, trusting bond between us.” Nick J. Scott, Instructor
