The benefits and availability of dog massage is growing in public awareness, with many thanks to my feature in The Washington Post at The 149th Annual Westminster Dog Show in New York. It’s the best kept secret! Still, it’s time for the secret to come out and more animals to benefit.
I am one of very few accredited and full-time canine massage therapists in the tri-state area. Most people who offer this service have learned on YouTube or it’s a perk they give at their grooming salon, without having any formal, accredited training. At best, the self-taught techniques are relaxing for the animal but more often than not, ineffective to treat soft tissue therapeutically.
My job as a professional Canine Massage Therapist is to remove imbalances in the soft tissue of the body and help the animal to heal themselves. As a result, I work with agility and performance dogs as well as injured and senior pets. Always, I am part of a wellness team that provides complimentary care to their regular veterinary maintenance. I am not a veterinarian nor am I allowed to diagnose or provide nutritional advice.
Benefits of dog massage therapy:
- Reduce inflammation naturally
- Increase circulation
- Improve digestion
- Speed wound healing
- Restore mobility to injured muscle tissue
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Early detection of skin and health problems
- Positive desensitization to touch
- Naturally relieve pain
- Increase flexibility and mobility
Often, I get questioned how to follow in my footsteps. I am a full time animal bodyworker and while I’m with clients, I don’t have constant access to my computer or time to respond. This article is intended to provide the answers to questions I receive regularly to educate and inform the public about this growing industry.
Why Do You Want to Become a Dog Massage Therapist?
The first question you must ask yourself is, “Why?” Why do you want to become a dog massage therapist? If your answer is to help animals, wonderful! I do too. I’ve always been an animal lover and tend to prefer their company to those with two legs. Sorry, but it’s true. I had a previous career in publishing and then had a short stint as a stay-at-home mom. As my daughters grew I had the unique opportunity to choose to go back into publishing or choose a new direction for my life. I chose animals and a very unique career path. At this time, I’m one of two accredited animal bodyworkers for dogs listed in The International Association of Animal Bodywork within the State of New Jersey, which requires specific schooling, case study hours, and continuing education credits.
Running a small business is not for the faint of heart. It takes years to build a clientele that supports the therapist. I work more hours now that I did as both a 9-5 professional or a stay-at-home mom. If you are thinking of becoming a dog massage therapist because it will be easy- I recommend thinking again. You will likely need to be independently wealthy, or begin this investment as a side hustle and slowly build your brand and your business as you gain experience while working a full-time job. Most importantly, it will be necessary to gain the respect and advocacy of your local veterinarians and raise public awareness of the benefits. Most pet owners are under the impression that their dog is going to be set up on a massage table with dim lighting, instrumental music, and let you rub them for an hour.
That is a misconception. Is it possible? Maybe. But it’s not how I always work.
- The reality is that most dogs are hiding pain and discomfort and will guard an area they do not want touched.
- The reality is that a dog you meet for the first time will not just let you touch them for 30 minutes, much less an hour.
- The reality is I have only twice met a dog that will lay down and remain completely still so I can work on them.
Dogs are predators and as such tend to hide weakness. By the time they are visibly limping, the misalignment, tension, or discomfort has been there for weeks- maybe even months. More, they are more likely to defend themselves if they feel cornered or growl, snap, and bite.
This is not an easy job- there is an inherent risk to working with animals. Yet it is infinitely rewarding if you are willing to dedicate yourself to this career and take it seriously. It is not meant to remain a side hustle. It is a calling.
Research Your State Animal Laws
Many people who reach out to me that are interested in becoming a dog massage therapist live in states that do not allow this as a career in accordance with Animal Veterinary Laws set forth by the American Veterinary Association.
There is a clear line between being a massage therapist providing alternative wellness who has studied for a year to get a certification and a veterinarian who is a Doctor and studied animal health and anatomy for years. We are not the same and never should be confused. Always- I cannot stress this enough- always, the veterinarian should be the first call when it comes to animal health. While it is not a requirement in my state of New Jersey to have veterinary supervision, I do recommend any injured clients receive veterinary clearance stating that soft tissue work is allowed for their client. I worked for five years in partnership with an integrative veterinary office, and have a good working relationship with several practices locally in my state.
Equinology, Inc. has a wonderfully comprehensive list of animal bodywork laws by state, which is updated regularly. Each state is listed and noted by the following:
- Allowed
- Allowed with Vet Referral
- Allowed with Vet Supervision
- Not Allowed
- Not Confirmed
I do not recommend pursuing an education in dog massage therapy if you live in a state where you will be violating animal laws. You will be fined and have to close your business. Or worse, you could be sued.
My goal is to raise awareness for this unique path, encourage dedicated professionals, and build a solid foundation for this growing career so that veterinarians can rely on us to compliment their incredible work when they diagnose a “soft tissue” injury or help keep animals mobile and used to positive touch. Many young dogs are brought to me when they are anxious or nervous for the veterinary visits, so that I can earn their trust and get them used to being touched in all areas…and my veterinary friends have benefited from that!
Find An Accredited School
An accredited canine massage therapy program is integral to whether you will become successful. A hands-on program is the only option. Massage therapy is all about feel. Licensed human massage therapists (LMTs) study for one to two years on average and must have continuing education credits. The same should be applicable for canine massage therapists, with the addition of behavior and first aid training in case of emergency. LMTs are not educated or trained to work on animals and vice versa- CMTs are not eligable to work on humans.
When looking for a school, there are a few things you need to prioritize:
Location of school
There are very few teaching schools for this growing industry that provide in-person and hands-on courses by massage professionals.
- The Lang Institute for Canine Massage: Offers a 688-hour program that includes a home study and a hands-on practicum (Colorado).
- Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage: Offers accredited courses for canine massage and acupressure (Colorado).
- Northwest School of Animal Massage: Offers certification programs that meet state requirements, including Washington State (Washington State).
Most schools have a combination of in-person courses and hands-on intensive that you will need to travel to complete. Invest in your education- it will mean the difference between being a respected profession in your chosen field or a ineffective joke.
Certification Time Frame
We live busy lives, always looking for a quick fix or easy opportunity. The work you put in on educating yourself and fine tuning your skillset, equals the quality of work you provide. Your hands are your tools and if you don’t make an effort to become as good at your trade as possible, how can your clients count on you to help their most precious pets? This is a career and should be treated like such. Skip the one week intensive course if you want to become an effective professional, and choose the longer programs.
Continuing Education
Does your school offer it? Is there an opportunity to take more in-depth courses through their programs? Alternately do they provide a list of schools they recommend for continuing education? This is something that is required for someone who wants to be listed in the IAAMB directory, which is the only site I use to recommend others in your state or area if the client is outside my area.
The Teacher Is Key
Beware of any programs that are taught by non-massage therapists. Time and again I have seen students who have learned from an animal chiropractor- that is extremely detrimental and misleading. Animal chiropractors are some of my favorite people to work with- in fact- I partner with Dr. Melissa Shaw in my practice, but they are specialists in the skeletal system- not the muscle and soft tissue. Chiropractic care is the other side of the coin. When we work together we can address the entire musculoskeletal system in one session for ultimate benefit. But like anyone- not all professionals are created equal. Research the teacher and know who you are learning from. Why would you want to learn from someone who doesn’t have your dream job?
More, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you the biggest secret- the dog is our biggest teacher.
Know Your Client
Most qualified and intensive education programs will include a very important factor- animal behavior. Experience with dogs is essential to your success. You will likely encounter a variety of pets who are sweet, anxious, nervous, playful, and defensive. It is absolutely mandatory that you can read body language before they feel the need to protect themselves. If you do not have experience handling animals of all sizes, breeds, and temperments, this is not the career for you.
Take behavior classes, volunteer at a local shelter, and learn first aid. It is not enough to love dogs. It is not enough to have pets. You need to know how to communicate gently and effectively to built trust, which sometimes means letting the dog say no, and become proficient at animal behavior.
Get Insured
Insurance is mandatory if you run a small business, especially when working with animals. You will be working with a predator and there is always an inherent risk. Also, if you choose to attend agility shows, events, or become a vendor the insurance will be a requirement to attend. Research insurance that covers massage therapy. My company, Beauty & Bodywork Insurance, includes animal massage therapy and is very reasonable, while also providing wonderful coverage and the opportunity to add on for events.
Partner with a Professional
Do your research and see if there are other dog massage therapists in your area. Are they taking on an intern or apprentice? If so, ask to work with them and learn from them. If not, don’t reach out and ask them to give away all their best kept secrets- after all, you’re going to be competing with them for clients soon. That’s just shady. And yes, it happens all the time. You would be shocked…
More than other massage professionals, reach out to local animal chiropractors or integrative veterinarians and offer to work on their personal animals or provide a demonstration so you can introduce the benefits of your work. This goes a long way to building positive, professional relationships with those that might refer to you later. More than referrals, you will learn an integral amount. Education doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Every professional I’ve worked with has taught me something. Every dog I’ve worked with has taught me something. Learning is never done, nor should it be.
Have a Professional Space
When I first started as an animal bodyworker, I spent most of my time visiting barns (I work on horses also) and doing home visits for the dogs. This was fine when I had more time and less clients. As my client list grew, home visits were next to impossible. I was spending money on gas and tolls, and had to account for driving time between houses. I was losing money. More, and something I didn’t think about until it was too late- some dogs are territorial and more likely to defend or bite at home. If they do, it is an automatic $10,000 fine to the owner and if you are sent to the hospital, the dog may be required to be euthanized. It is not worth the risk. I only do home visits if veterinarian requests and it is double my fee to cover the clients I miss at the office in the time I’m away.
Instead of home visits, I recommend setting up a private space in your home with area separate from your personal animals, partnering with a veterinarian or chiropractor in their space and renting a room, or getting a business loan and investing in a storefront location. It’s more professional and it’s all about optics when it comes to running a small business.
Experience Is Everything
Experience is just as important than education. I have been working full time in this industry for almost a decade. Looking back, I was not prepared as I could have been when I completed school. Life and my clients have taught me so much more about my approach and technique. I am constantly evolving and changing, fine tuning my skills that were never taught by my professors.
Dog massage therapy is an growing profession and because it is so new, it is inherent if you choose to become a professional- that you do your best to be an example for others in the industry. Being properly trained and having a quality technique affects your safety, but also raises awareness of the benefits of our therapies for animal wellness as a whole. Do not attempt this as a long-term side hustle- you’re doing yourself, the industry, and the animal a huge disservice.