Learn canine massage in an accurate valued format. On site instruction ensures your quality education. In this course you will not only learn the massage techniques but will learn how to assess the conformation and analyze the gaits. Included is gentle stretching, calming acupressure points, follow up exercise and simple range of motion exercises.

This 8-day 80+hour course (a total of 220+hours with the required field work) is taught by the international instructor Beverly Adams , CMT . It is specifically designed for those students wishing to pursue a career in this field, but is also targeted and formatted for veterinarians, physical therapists, human massage therapists, canine massage therapists, trainers, kennel managers, and chiropractors who would like to enhance their skills. The course is taught in such a comprehensive logical layered format like our foundation equine massage for horses, those with little or no complementary canine care and science background will find themselves up to speed with the other professional participants.

After completing the workshop and required externship, the student will be able to evaluate posture and movement and apply a complete massage confidently. Fieldwork/externship is required in all of Caninology’s courses to ensure the students have learned the enormous amount of material presented in class. Equinology’s staff is able to answer questions for the participants should they arise during this externship period. Caninology’s reputation stands tall due to the fact we test our students before issuing certificates.

The externship:

For this particular course there’s an additional 80 hours of guided study once the student leaves the class. Participants complete 20 massage sessions on at least 5 different dogs using all of the massage techniques and stretching exercises as well as the documenting techniques as taught in the class. There is also a home study portion included in the fieldwork on muscle function, muscle identification, point location and gait evaluation required to enhance the material that is taught and presented in the class. Once this is completed a video is sent by the student to Caninology to review, evaluate and expand the student's work.

Our course outline includes:

Vocabulary:

·         Anatomy vocabulary

·         Directional terms

·         Veterinary terms

Skeletal structure:

·         Form and function

·         Thoracic appendicular system

·         Pelvic appendicular system

·         Axial skeletal system

·         Conformation

·         Typical canine orthopedic conditions

·         Injury

·         Surface anatomy landmark identification

·         Palpation skills

Muscle structure:

·         Function and Form

·         Palpation & rudimentary evaluation skills

·         Locating and isolating muscles

·         Injury

·         Deep muscles

·         Superficial muscles

·         Cause of muscle damage

·         Causes of various problems

Massage:

·         Safety rules

·         Basic strokes

·         Theory and application of the massage strokes

·         Contraindications

·         Body mechanics for the worker

·         Follow-up exercises

·         Gentle stretches

Assessment:

·         History evaluation

·         Documentation

·         Creating documents for the owners

·         Gait Abnormalities

·         Subjective conformation

·         Typical neurological canine conditions

·         Canine Behavior

·         Handling Skills

·         Gait Analysis

·         Range of motion analysis and exercises

Business:

·         Marketing

·         Work ethics

·         Veterinary ethics

·         Creating evaluation forms

Students attend class daily from 8:30am to 5:00pm and have additional 3 hours of evening studies. The fifth day of class is spent out of class for independent study. This is an intense course.

Cost : Includes manual, supplies, and handouts. Certification upon completion of class and fieldwork (externship).

Prerequisite:

If you have no experience in massage or in handling dogs safely in a therapeutic situation you should enroll in the CN3005 prior to this course.

A working knowledge of veterinary vocabulary, anatomy and dog handling skills. Students must complete the study guide provided with the course registration before they come to class. The study guide is an introduction to terminology, veterinary vocabulary and anatomy. It will be reviewed in class but you should be extremely familiar with the Study Guide by the time you arrive. Please register early to give yourself enough time.    We have determined 55 hours are necessary to review this material

Required Reading and Text:

Dog Anatomy: A Pictorial Approach to Canine Structure by Peter C. Goody. This text will be used in the class. Please have it with you. It is available at most online bookstores or by clicking here: http://www.horseandriderbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=H&Product_Code=DOAN&Category_Code

Suggested Reading for Future Interest:

Color Atlas of Veterinary Anatomy: The Dog & Cat (Color Atlas of Veterinary Anatomy) by Stanley H. Done, et al.