PetMassage™ Blog Archives · Page 2 of 10 · PetMassage™ Training and Research Institute

Fascia Collaboration. Let’s learn about what it is, how to identify it, influence it to help our dogs, and share the love. In September 2019 I will be one of the instructors at a joint conference of the IAAMB/ACWT and the NBCAAM. (It will be open to members and non-members. The link for info about…

Practicing and Figuring It Out Some things come easily; some take practice until we get it right. I noticed a pattern in the way I mastered skills. I identified a natural talent, received some initial training, and practiced, modeling after my instructor. With perseverance, I figured out how to do what I wanted to do…

Alyce Sorokie, the author of Gut Wisdom, Understanding and Improving Digestive Health, shared a powerful poem during a presentation I attended in Chicago. I’d like to share it with you. Chapter 1 I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost… I am helpless. It…

Helpful Hints: Dog massage for rigid top lines The tension we see and feel in dogs is always protective. They may be self-restricting their movements for several reasons. They may be experiencing a pain that is at a tolerable level but any addition to what they are doing would be too uncomfortable. So, they’d act…

Every Moment is Life Defining. Camille, our boxer slipped while we were walking around our neighborhood. She stepped on a patch of ice hidden under the snow. Her legs flew out from beneath her. She landed hard on her hip. Cami jumped back up, shook it off, and trotted on; but I could see she…

Feel secure with dogs, learn Dog Handling Skills In 1998, Jonathan and I adopted our first dog, Oskar. He was a 60 lb. boxer. I was clueless about caring for a dog. My entire pet experience had been with gerbils, hamsters and a cat that was mostly cared for by my daughter, Cheryl. We had…

Become a More Empowered PetMassage Practitioner with Advanced Training When I was in human massage school I loved the last six months. That’s where the magic appeared. I realized my calling, my gift, was in the realm of “energy healing”. My massage student friends described what they felt. They talked about the heat, the vibrations,…

Resource conservation. We all want to be as efficient with our resources as possible. Time and money, these are our scarcest resources. These are the reasons we get so many requests for home study programs. With online and home study courses you get to work from home at your own pace and save the money…

The first day of the PetMassage Foundation Level Program is filled with happiness, empowerment and wonder. Jonathan and I (Anastasia) greet our new students and welcome them into our PetMassage tribe of canine massage practitioners. Our students come from all walks of life and they have these things in common: they all love dogs and understand that…

PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage – Happiness for the Dog, Facilitator and Dog Owner Many years ago, I was introduced to the warm water massage technique for humans called “Watsu”. Watsu, for me, is a deep healing, joyful session taking place in a very warm (98-104 degrees F) spacious pool or large hot tub with dim…

Pet Naissage? Anita Pitts, PetMassage Foundation Level Program of February 2017, wrote, sharing her moment when the light bulb went on. I recognize this as something significant that you can apply to your canine massage practice. Here’s her initial email, my response, and her essay. Anita writes: I’ve been doing pet massage and nail trimming.…

We talk a lot about PetMassage Programs and workshops. If you an experienced workshop attendee, you know what to expect. And, it’s all good! It is possible that you have never before signed up for a workshop; especially a vocational training workshop. “What are they?” “What can I expect?” “Am I comfortable taking 5 days…

Meditate with your Dog(s) Hello Everyone I am writing a blog, perhaps once a month, (sounds very feminine) to share my experiences in my on-going healing arts practice. When I dedicate myself to a spiritual practice, on a daily basis, just as many of us do with a daily exercise program (walking, biking, weights, etc.),…

That light in the tunnel. That light in the tunnel is not an oncoming train. It’s sunshine. Canine massage may very well be in your future. Register for the PetMassage Foundation Level Program and initiate the plan for your leave taking from your corporate nightmare. I had an uncomfortable conversation about life in the corporate world. Competent…

PetMassage for Active and Athletic Dogs Optimizing function is the name of the game. That’s what canine massage does. The dogs appreciate what we do. Their owners, handlers, trainers, and vets do, too. PetMassage is an appropriate and beneficial therapeutic practice for Active and sport dogs. These athletes have had tremendous success when they the get…

Lateral breathing in dogs Lateral breathing is often not included when we talk about breathing. We think of mouth breathing and nose breathing; chest breathing and diaphragmatic – belly – breathing. I use palmar breathing; and that’s demonstrated at https://youtu.be/EQPlxRXx9bw Lateral breathing includes the functioning of the structures on the sides of the dog: the ribs,…

The 8 Home Study Course offerings from PetMassage: Basic Anatomy of the Dog The “Basic Anatomy of the Dog” PetMassage™ Home Study Course was specially formulated to meet the practical needs of the beginning dog massage / canine massage practitioner. While administering a canine massage, it is imperative that you know enough about canine anatomy…

Host the hands-on training workshop for the PetMassage Foundation Level PetMassage Program. Would you like to host the hands-on training workshop for the Foundation Level PetMassage Program? The PetMassage School will come to you. As host, we request that you provide a room for lecture, and hands-on teaching and arrange for the dogs that we…

Choose the PetMassage for Dogs Workshops that best fit your needs and aspirations. PetMassage Programs are vocational training. They include on-site, one-on-one, hands-on training and home study modules. Programs with Workshops On-site at The PetMassage Training and Research Institute, Toledo, OH PetMassage for Dogs Foundation Level Program/ Certified…

Motivation From Daily Hands-on Inspiration You’ve heard or read about how I started PetMassage. I’ve described it in my books and it’s on our website. [https://petmassage.com/store/petmassage-dogs-art-essence-canine-massage-book/ ] It’s been a passion of mine for over 20 years. Every week of every year, I either teach a workshop, council students, write books and blogs, produce videos, manage…

PetMassage Training and Research Institute YouTube videos Happy Holidays. This weekend, as you celebrate with the vivacious thrilling and all-absorbing company of your adoring family, and you are covertly searching for some meaningful entertainment on your mobile device, we invite you to visit our YouTube channel: PetMassage Training and Research Institute. Watch, share, laugh, learn…

PetMassage™ Anatomical Charts: The Perfect Gifts for the Dog Lovers in Your Life PetMassage charts are each 11” x 14”, laminated. These are perfect gifts this holiday season, for the dog lovers who need to know the specifics of canine anatomy. These are popular with vet techs, vet assistants, dog shelter workers, dog trainers, handlers,…

PetMassage Books: Perfect Gifts for the Dog Lovers in Your Life Jonathan has written several Books for your PetMassage instruction. They are perfect gifts for dog lovers this holiday season. Art and Essence of Canine Massage, PetMassage™ “PetMassage creates an ambient environment within the dog’s body and mind by combining touch, and compassionate active presence.”…

Massage in Canine Rehabilitation The goals for massage in canine rehabilitation are to maintain, restore, and enhance the recovering dog after injury. It includes restoring function to the injured point plus relaxing those areas that have been compensating while the injury heals. Simply put, the goal is to enhance the dog’s quality of life. Massage helps the dog…

Confident Dog Handling in Canine Massage / Yoga consciousness [PetMassage™ Streaming Video & Download] The Dog Handling in Canine Massage, Yoga Consciousness streaming video & download offers important insights into canine behavior and body language. This is instruction you need to know for your practice: essential dog handling skills. In your canine massage practice you…

PetMassage Private Sessions Canine PetMassage™ Dogs at all stages of life, just like humans, derive tremendous benefits with PetMassage™. All breeds, sizes, ages, and conditions benefit. Jonathan has worked with lap dogs, hunting dogs, show dogs, agility dogs, service dogs, security dogs, search and rescue dogs, and hundreds of family pets. For active dogs, PetMassage™ helps…

PetMassage Kid’s Guide to Massaging Dogs [DVD] and Kids Doggie Songs CD PetMassage™ A Kid’s Guide to Massaging Dogs [DVD] Everybody loves massage…especially dogs. Everybody can learn to give PetMassage™ …especially kids. This DVD is a great complement to the book Dogs Kids PetMassage™! This video, for the first time, introduces children to the skills of…

PetMassage™ Energy Work for Dogs: Accessing the Magnificent Body Language and Body Wisdom of the Dog, Audio CD Download 6-hour audio program This is the perfect way to learn the complex and loving components that make up “PetMassage™ Energy Work for Dogs.” The subtitle tells it all. You are “Accessing the Magnificent Body Language and…

Ohio Interpretation of Laws Re: Massage Animal Alternative Therapies Revised May, 2010 The Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board has had multiple inquiries regarding the ability of animal massage therapists and other allied health professionals to perform therapies on animals and not violate the veterinary practice act. The Board appreciates these individual’s willingness to understand and…

Transitions Canine Massage: Sacred Rite A transition is any shift from one life -energetic – experience to another. Massage assists dogs in any transition. When dogs are experiencing a change in their lives that is stressing them, they get tremendous benefit with massage. Examples of lifestyle changes could be moving to a new city or neighborhood…

Duplication, redundancy, sympathetic, and empathetic functions in the dog Our dogs bodies are wise and mysterious. In their wisdom, they have several types of backups, backing up each other in case one element malfunctions. I often stimulate synergistic referral points when I cannot access or am not sure precisely where assistance is needed. There…

Confident Dog Handling for PetMassage™ Practitioners Workshop 4 Hour on-site workshop. The concepts and dog handling skills in this course will enable you to be more confident working with many dog breeds, temperaments, and situations. From the beginning of a dog massage session, you must develop an understanding with the dog so that both of…

TCVM Tongue Assessment and TCVM Pulse Palpation How much do you know about TCVM, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine? Do you know how to apply aspects of TCVM in your dog massage? Acupressure points and meridians are not all there is to know in the complex practice of TCVM. Two of the Four Pillars of TCVM…

Body and Gait Mechanics The dogs we walk and massage entrain with our posture, gait and breathing. Our dogs are very aware of how we are feeling. Any limp, slouch, imbalance in gait, unfocused look, and incomplete breath signals them that something is amiss. In the Body and Gait Mechanics for PetMassage™ Practitioners on-site, hands-on workshop, you…

Confident Dog Handling for the Canine Massage Practitioner [PetMassage™ Home Study Course] If you are unable to attend this on-site workshop with PetMassage™ Instructor Monica Bernhoffer, this Home Study Course is the next best way to learn her techniques. This course will shift your understanding and relationship with dogs. For the hour that you are…

Medical Terminology, Canine Physiology, Kinesiology and Pathology for the Canine Massage Practitioner [PetMassage™ Home Study Course] This home study course is designed to enhance your comprehension and working knowledge of the medical terminology, its etymology and definitions, physiology, and the basic functions within the body that are applicable to canine / dog massage. Learn about kinesiology, movement (bones, ligaments,…

Sharing Articles Vivienne Pastars, a beautiful spirit from Australia who traveled to the PetMassage School in Toledo Ohio for her Foundation Level Program Training, was asked to write an article about canine massage for the Australian magazine, Holistic Bliss. She wrote me saying she didn’t want to reinvent the wheel so she shared one of the PetMassage Helpful Hints blogs.…

PetMassage for Kids’ Safety Happy dogs, Safe Kids The happiest dogs are the “dogs kids massage.” The safest kids are the ones who massage their dogs. PetMassage for Kids is a sweet little program that teaches kids how to respect dogs and care for them with massage. Lessons Learned Early Inform Citizenship I don’t know…

TRANSITIONS: PetMassage™ Energy Work for the Aging & Dying Dog [PetMassage™ Home Study Course] TRANSITIONS: PetMassage™ Energy Work for the Aging & Dying Dog is a means of empowering pet care professionals and individual caregivers to help their dogs and pet owners during any transition in their dogs lives and life-styles. This is especially helpful…

PetMassage™ Energy Work with Dogs [Home Study Course] Summary: Everything is energy. There is no separation between your dog’s energy-body and her physical-body. Energy can be influenced. Rechanneled. Excited. Calmed. In this course, you learn to enhance the energetic quality of your life, the lives of your dogs, the lives of your canine / dog…

Independent Study [PetMassage™ Home Study Course] The intention of this course is for you to be an SME, Subject Matter Expert on the topic assigned to you. The report must be in a research paper form that we can edit, as a Word Document. It will be published on the PetMassage.com website and made available…

Creating & Marketing Your Animal Massage Business [PetMassage™ Home Study Course] Your business is not only a reflection of who you are; it is a manifestation of what you believe. You develop your business as your business develops you. Create and launch your uniquely personal business plan for near and long-term success and personal growth.…

Research Papers Lead to Help for Dog Owners On Nov 27, 2018, we received a desperate sounding email from someone who was reaching out to PetMassage for advice. He found us while doing a web search on an issue he and his service dog are dealing with. The issue he was researching was a Research…

Basic Anatomy of the Dog [PetMassage™ Home Study Course] The “Basic Anatomy of the Dog” PetMassage™ Home Study Course was specially formulated to meet the practical needs of the beginning dog massage / canine massage practitioner. While administering a canine massage, it is imperative that you know enough about canine anatomy that you are able…

Keywords vs Key Actions When someone asks about the benefits of PetMassage for dogs, what words would you use to describe? You might use terms like relaxation, flexibility, flow, Ch’i, circulation, integrity, neuromuscular, lymphatics, drainage, quality of life, rehabilitation, and balance. There are lots more; you get the idea. Words themselves only hint at the…

PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage Programs Imagine yourself shoulder deep in a large heated pool, holding a dog, suspended in water. You guide the dog’s body in your arms in large, sweeping movements across the surface of the water. You watch the ripples on the surface. You feel how the water drags and drifts the dog’s…

PetMassage™ for Dogs 3-part Set The 3 parts to this set are 1. & 2. The set of PetMassage for Dogs 2 DVDs, 2 hours of enjoyable training of canine massage 3. Art and Essence of Canine Massage, PetMassage for Dogs, the book for canine massage instruction.306 pages, illustrated, index. This 3-part set is…

PetMassage for Dogs, 2-DVD set Are you looking for a resource to show you how to massage dogs? Here are 2 hours of enjoyable instruction in which you are shown how to do it! This is the immersive instruction that you cannot get following the illustrations in a book. These are skills you must see…

PetMassage for Kids After-school and Camp programs The content for the popular after school and camp programs is the PetMassage™ for Kids 3-Part Set and a curriculum for after school and camp programs. Educators purchase these sets with quantity discount and resell them to their students to increase their revenue. Each child is encouraged to purchase the…

PetMassage for Kids, 4-Part Set This is the perfect gift for the child who loves dogs and who wants to take care of the family dog. The PetMassage™ for Kids 4-Part Set includes Dogs Kids PetMassage, book Kids Guide to Massaging Dogs DVD and Doggie Songs Audio CD PetMassage Patch In the book and video, the children attend a PetMassage…

Dogs Kids PetMassage Book Dogs Kids PetMassage is for dogs, kids and their families. PetMassage is a fun and effective way to help your dog achieve optimal physical and emotional balance. This is an enjoyable, easy-to-follow, book that follows two children as they learn canine massage, and dog handling skills in a PetMassage for Dogs…

Art and Essence of Canine Massage, PetMassage for Dogs is the book for canine massage instruction. Begin or enhance your canine massage practice. Learn the Art and Essence of Canine Massage, PetMassage for Dogs. If you are happiest when you are with dogs, and your heart sings when you help them discover their optimal quality of life, you are…

Move Your Feet- They’re Important in PetMassage Are your feet passive? Or do you use them actively, as integral elements in your massage form? During your canine massage, do you want to promote the dog’s movement, flexibility, and flow? If these are your intentions, it makes sense that every touch ought to be infused with your movement,…