CANINE MASSAGE SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Canine Massage Scope of Practice

Canine massage is a profession. As such it has a description of what it can do. The description includes limitations for our practice. This blog is about the scope, range, of our practice of canine massage.

In light of my offering advice to dogs’ owners and to canine massage practitioners concerning physical or behavioral conditions, I want to be very clear that I am not practicing any form of veterinary medicine. When I speak, it is from the perspective of a human massage therapist and energy bodyworker and as someone with over 20 years of experience focusing my area of study on dogs. My opinions carry the same value as the suggestions and guidance you would get from your human massage practitioner, who also is obliged to refrain from any diagnostic or specific treatment activities that could be considered as practicing human medicine.

Historical reference. In 2007 I was lobbying the State Senators from Ohio, who were members of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. At that time, when I met with the only Licensed Veterinarian on the committee I was assured that although it would be difficult to introduce and pass a different version of the house bill that defined the practice of veterinary medicine,  there were 6 specific categories that I defined that he noted were interpreted as compatible with the intent of House Bill OH 458.

  1. It is permissible to provide animal massage under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
  2. It is permissible to provide animal massage with a veterinarian’s referral.
  3. It is permissible to provide animal massage for the purposes of relaxation.
  4. It is permissible to provide palliative animal massage.
  5. It is permissible to provide emotional support to animals owners.
  6. It is permissible to provide sports massage for large and small animals.

I then gave a presentation to the Ohio State Veterinary Licensing Board, the agency whose responsibility is to provide considered interpretation and enforcement of the law, as it is written.

After meeting with the board, I developed this Scope of Practice for PetMassage. I thought you might enjoy reading it, and learning what we can and cannot do.

PetMassage Scope of Practice

(A) PetMassageTM is the treatment of disorders and imbalances of the dog’s body by the systematic external application of PetMassageTM techniques including touch, stroking, friction, vibration, percussion, kneading, stretching, positional release, compression, and joint movements within the normal physiologic range of motion; and adjunctive thereto, the external application of water, heat and cold, colored lights, and sounds.

(B) A practitioner of PetMassageTM shall evaluate whether the application of PetMassageTM is advisable. A canine massage provider may provide information or education defined by his/her training and expertise. In determining whether the application of PetMassageTM is advisable, a PetMassageTM provider shall be limited to visual inspection including observation of range of motion, and touch. The PetMassageTM provider shall provide services under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian including in-office administration of techniques and off-site referrals for ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation. Independent PetMassageTM is appropriate for dogs in the following situations: on-site sports massage, rehabilitation massage, geriatric massage, relaxation massage and palliative massage.

(C) No person shall use the words or letters “PetMassageTM therapist,” “licensed PetMassageTMtherapist,” “PM.T.” or any other letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia, indicating or implying that the person is a licensed PetMassageTM therapist.

(D) All persons who hold a certificate to practice PetMassageTM shall prominently display that certificate in the office or place where a major portion of the certificate holder’s practice is conducted. If a certificate holder does not have a primary practice location, the certificate holder shall at all times when practicing keep the wallet certificate on the holder’s person.

(E) PetMassageTM does not include:
(1) The application of ultrasound, diathermy, and electrical neuromuscular stimulation or substantially similar modalities; and
(2) The practice of chiropractic, including the application of a high velocity-low amplitude thrusting force to any articulation of the body;
(3) Any skill that might be interpreted as the practice veterinary medicine
(a)The diagnosis of an animal’s condition.
(b)The treatment of infectious, or contagious diseases;
(c) The prescribing or administering of drugs; and
(d) The performing of surgery.

The PetMassage Scope of Practice Summary

  • First do no harm
  • Practitioners of PetMassageTM provide only the services in which you are trained
  • PetMassageTM complements holistic and traditional veterinary care, home care, spa care and all grooming, training and behavioral modification programs.
  • The PetMassageTM practice enhances the body-mind wellness of dogs.
  • PetMassageTM recognizes that all diseases are symptoms of imbalance and misguided perception in body awareness.
  • PetMassageTM initiates the self-healing of dogs through the use of knowledgeable, compassionate touch, compression, kneading, stretching, positional release, the stimulation of acupressure and referral points, and bio-magnetic energy balancing.
  • PetMassageTM does not include deep-tissue work or extremes of joint movement.
  • PetMassageTM does not diagnose or treat specific disorders.
  • PetMassageTM does not recommend specific dietary regimens.
  • PetMassageTM practitioners do not diagnose, medically treat, or prescribe medications

Copyright © 2015 PetMassage, Ltd.

1 Comment

  1. 3assassin on January 12, 2022 at 5:05 PM

    1fastidious

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