PetMassage Foundation Level Program

Prospective Students:

The Foundation Level Program is vocational training for people in “transition.” PetMassage students are people who have realized that they can combine their love for dogs and appreciation for massage as a passion and as a career.

PetMassage graduates are recognized for excellence in skills and understanding, sensitivity and compassion, reliability and ethics. Our students create successful private practices for house pets, sport dogs and dogs in veterinary rehab.

PetMassage students are

1. “veterans” of the corporate world seeking a purposeful career working with dogs
2. dog care professionals (DVMs, RVTs, dog trainers, handlers, breeders, walkers, sitters, shelter staff)
3. Human massage therapists and physical therapists

PetMassage programs attract students who are inclined to share our philosophies of touch, connection, service, and commitment. While the traditional physical therapy – medical massage mind-set is important, our approach is holistic and spiritual. We incorporate many of the energy concepts and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Tai Chi in our massage practice. Our practice supports and integrates easily with the work of veterinarians and other animal health and wellness practitioners.

The level of prosperity you can expect is directly tied to your commitment, marketing savvy, and of course, who you know. Hopefully you are already connected to dog agility groups, dog park groups, dog trainers, and/or vet rehab clinics. It’s important to know up front though, that building a business takes time, effort, and lots of patience. You don’t have to do this alone. As a graduate of the PetMassage program, you will have our ongoing complimentary support and guidance.

Over the years over a thousand people have trained with PetMassage. Our practitioners have successful practices in every state in the US and in over a dozen countries. The demand is there...and growing.

A healthy respect and adherence to legal restrictions is essential. We are careful not to suggest that we are practicing veterinary medicine. We do not diagnose, nor do we state that we are doing “therapy” or “treating” any specific condition. Of course you can do more when you are working in a vet clinic under a DVM’s supervision and professional license.

What we can do - and say when describing our private practices - is we assist dogs by optimizing their quality of life.  PetMassage increases circulation of all the fluids in the body, stimulates skin and superficial fascia to enhance flexibility, increases bone density with our manipulation techniques, and helps dogs’ psychosocial skills. Everything we do is done to improve dogs strength, balance, and vitality. PetMassage makes dogs happier and healthier. So, our work enhances dogs minds and spirits, as well as their bodies!

Vocational training. Part of our Foundation workshop is the home study module Creating and Marketing Your Canine Massage Business. We encourage our grads to be entrepreneurs. As a PetMassage graduate, you’ll have the skills and credentials so you can work with your vet in their office, work as an independent contractor in dog day cares, and take private clients as a mobile service or in your own office.

Description:

PetMassage has the unique skill sets that will surely enhance what you are doing now. Even if your expertise is as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), dog groomer, or dog handler with decades of experience, there is always more to learn. Even if you are a human massage therapist, you are guaranteed to have “aha” moments.

This program builds on the information from the PetMassage books, DVDs, YouTube videos, and home study modules.  Our goal is to build your understanding and skill set until they are to a professionally functional level.

Workshops area combination of lecture, discussion, and lots of supervised hands-on practice. All practice work is done with live dogs. Everyone gets to experience a wide variety of dogs’ sizes, breeds, ages and temperaments.

This hands-on on-site program is held Thursdays through Mondays from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Canine massage techniques include:

• Friction
• Effleurage
• Still-holding
• Lymphatic drainage
• Joint mobilization
• Movement to enhance bone density
• PetMassage MFR, positional release
• Palliative care
• Dog Handling during PetMassage

These are essential components for a safe and successful canine massage practice. After all, if you are to create balance and soundness in the dog, you must come from a place that is balanced and sound.

Program Class Size Limit:

5 Students

Waiting List:

If you see that the program you would like to attend is full, add your name to its waiting list. A spot may open up for you. Someone who has registered for that program may need to switch to another month.

Please call Beth at 1-419-475-3539 to register with your 1st and 2nd choices for program dates.

Prerequisites:

None

Objectives / Goals:

• Learn better healthy body mechanics for your own strength, stability, stamina and enjoyment.
• Learn dog handling in the context of the PetMassage session.
• Develop an understanding of the theory, techniques, vocabulary, culture and vision of PetMassage.
• Develop a functional understanding of basic dog anatomy and physiology as it applies to canine massage.
• Understand your scope of practice, business ethics.
• Create and Market your PetMassage practice in your region.

Home Study Courses Included In This Program:

• Confident Dog Handling for the Canine Massage Practitioner: This course helps you learn the skills needed working with dogs in the context of a canine massage session.
• Basic Anatomy of the Dog: You will be directed to focus on specific pages in the Dog Anatomy, A Coloring Atlas text that will prepare you for this workshop. These are the plates that will be the most necessary for your beginning PetMassage practice.
• Creating and Marketing Your Animal Massage Business: Work through the steps of business creation with the support and experience of PetMassage founders, Jonathan and Anastasia Rudinger.

Included Materials:

• Foundation Level Program Manual (received at workshop)
• Canine Massage for Passionate Dog People (Book)
• PetMassage for Dogs 1 and PetMassage for Dogs 2 (DVD's)
• Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas [Book]
• Creating & Marketing Your Animal Massage Business [Book]
• Confident Dog Handling in Canine Massage / Yoga consciousness [PetMassage Streaming Video & Download]

Accredited By:

IAAMB/ACWT, NBCAAM, NCBTMB, RAIVE

Before Workshop Info:

• Review PetMassage for Dogs 1 and PetMassage for Dogs 2 (DVD's)
• Study Canine Massage for Passionate Dog People (Book)
• Watch Confident Dog Handling in Canine Massage / Yoga consciousness [PetMassage Streaming Video & Download]
• Color & Study 8 Specific “Plates” in the Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas[Book] as described in your workshop confirmation letter.

During Program Info:

Location:

All PetMassage Foundation Level Program are held on-site at the PetMassage Training and Research Institute in Toledo, Ohio.

What to Wear:

• Comfortable yet professional attire.
• Closed toed shoes. Note: Sandals or flip flops are not safe, please do not wear them.
• A smile and positive ready-to-learn attitude.
• Please refrain from wearing loose jewelry or any fragrances.

Re: Dogs

If you can bring your own pet, we highly encourage it. 

Dogs are crated during the lectures and while students practice skills on each other. Crates are available or you are welcome to bring your own crates or x-pens.

What to Expect:

Class sizes are small. There will be abundant opportunities for you to get individual hands-on instruction with Jonathan Rudinger, the founder of PetMassage.

Building Amenities:

• Support Staff: Friendly, knowledgeable staff will be available to provide assistance with workshop support.
• Kitchen
• Wi-Fi, Printers

After Workshop Info:

Completion Requirements:

You have six months from the last day of your PetMassage Foundation Level Program to complete all of the home study courses, take-home written exam, video recordings and the short research paper.

Certificate of Completion Earned

Two Certificates of Course Completion are awarded for this program:

• PetMassage Foundation Level Workshop Certificate of Course Completion
• PetMassage Confident Dog Handling for the Canine Massage Practitioner Certificate of Home Study Course Completion

Certification and Credentials

Upon completion of the PetMassage Foundation level program, you will be a Certified PetMassage Practitioner (CPMP) and added to the PetMassage Training & Research Institute Graduate List.

Continuing Education Credits (CECs) / Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available For:

Animal Massage Practitioners, Massage Therapists (MTs), Veterinary Medicine Students, Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs)

Accredited by: IAAMB/ACWT, NBCAAM, NCBTMB

Number of Continuing Education Credits (CECs) / Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Earned:

100 (28 RAIVE CEs for RVTs).

The 100 CECs/CEUs earned within this course combined with the additional 100 CEs of the Advanced Level Program qualifies students to sit for the NBCAAM exam for Small Animal Massage National Certification  

Fee: $2300.00 (includes Workshop, all texts and tests, and home study courses)

Register Now for the workshop dates that best fit your schedule.

 

3 Options to Pay

1. Pay in one payment when you register and save 5% at check out.
2. Make a 1/2 deposit and pay the balance one week before the workshop begins.
3. Call 1-419-475-3539 to arrange a convenient monthly payment plan. 

 

Specialized Programs and Rates for RVTs

 

 

 

 

Foundation Level Program Testimonials