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In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education....
One of the best ways to pay for massage school is to earn a scholarship (or several scholarships) to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and supplies. Scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid and are usually offered based on financial status and personal....
In the past several years, this has led to the development of several canine massage therapy and equine massage therapy programs. Just as humans can enjoy the benefits of massage therapy, so too can our four-legged friends. The practice has been in use for racehorses for a number of years, but the field is growing in order to offer the benefits to all kinds of pets.
Those interested in canine massage, equine massage, or treatment for other pets are generally those who recognize the various emotional and physical states that animals experience. Perhaps you are a pet owner who would like to encourage your furry friend to relax and give up some of his hyperactive ways. Maybe you’re a trained massage therapy who would like to use your skills to help relieve pain in animals recovering from injuries.
These are not the only people who are interested in animal massage, however. Veterinarians and vet techs are finding that it is helpful in their clinics. Horse groomers and trainers can further develop their relationships with their animals through equine massage. Even dog trainers are learning ways to use canine massage to improve behavior in their “students.”
A massage therapist who works with animals will utilize different approaches in order to provide the best service possible. This will include reviewing the animal’s personal background, as well as its medical history. Abused animals, for example, may need to be approached in a different way than those with a less traumatic past.
There is a real need for those who are interested in offering this type of service, and there are even animal massage schools that offer training on topics such as canine massage therapy and equine massage therapy. Typically speaking, animal massage is not taught as a part of a regular massage therapy program; rather, those interested will look for continuing education programs or stand-alone animal massage schools. These programs may focus on small animal or large animal massage and can be taught in classrooms or through distance learning. Some professionals may plan to start a practice devoted entirely to equine massage therapy, for example, while others want to add canine massage therapy to a practice that previously focused only on human clients.
Areas of expertise can be further broken down. Maintenance massage can be used to soothe and calm animals that need some relaxation. Performance massage is good for preparing animals that will compete. Rehabilitation massage focuses more on helping animals recover from injuries or surgeries. The various approaches to massage can be easily adapted for animals, so it is possible to use Reiki, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, acupressure, and other techniques to help them receive the best benefits from treatment.
Numerous organizations are working to create a set of standard guidelines in order to offer certification in the field of animal massage. Those who pursue this type of education must study the anatomy and physiology of the animals they intend to treat. In addition, animal behavior is an important aspect of the education. Kinesiology is also extremely important and will work in conjunction with the massage techniques that are learned either as part of the program or during previous schooling. Finally, many programs will require students to gain first aid certification. This is a measure that protects both the clients and the therapist.
Just as with humans, animal massage manipulates the various tissues to bring about various types of relief and to enhance health and wellbeing. While we often consider massage as a means for promoting relaxation, it actually has many other benefits. For example, massage is a great tool for improving circulation for the vascular and lymphatic systems. This strengthens both the cardiovascular system and the immune system of the animal. It can also help to train or re-train animals to use good posture when recovering from illness or injury. In addition, massage releases endorphins in the brain, and these chemicals can improve moods, as well as reduce pain.
Canine massage and equine massage can also be used for animals that perform in different competitions. It is known that human athletes can perform better as a result of both the relaxation and the warming effect that massage has on the muscles. Both of these benefits can positively affect a horse, dog, or other animal’s performance during a show or other competition.
While much of the information available focuses on equine and canine massage therapy, massage can be used with many other types of animals. From cats to birds and from llamas to cows, the healing aspects of massage therapy can improve both the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals of all sizes and experiences.
© 2012 Massage Schools Guide