Blog Archives

What Sets Our Courses Apart From Others?

7/21/2018

Prospective students often ask me what sets our courses apart from other online animal massage courses and I decided to write this blog to help answer that question.

1. High Quality Material

When I'm creating a course, I take a lot of time putting together the most current, highest quality materials for my students. Our presentations and videos are done in such a way that they are easy to follow and facilitate the learning process. Even though this is an online course, you will feel as though you are in a classroom setting. All of the course presentations are available for the student to download so they can use it as a study reference.

2. Unlimited Access With No Deadlines

Unlike many other online courses, our courses NEVER expire! Students can begin the course at any time and can work at their own pace, taking as long as needed to complete the course. They can also log back in at any point in the future after completing a course to review the material. The course material gets updated periodically, so students will continue to have access to the full course including updated material forever.

3. Exceptional Support

I am personally available to answer any questions students have while working through the course and the support continues even after the program is completed. I try to answer questions and grade assignments as quickly as possible (usually within an hour) so that students can continue working without having to wait days for a response (which is common in other programs). When my students complete a course and begin practicing the techniques, I still make myself available to answer any questions they have and help them work through complex cases.

4. Support Group of Peers

When a student enrolls in one of our courses, they will be invited to our private FaceBook. In this group, they will find themselves surrounded by other students who are currently working on the course and practitioners who have already completed the course from all over the world. In this group, everyone is able to interact with each other....asking questions, providing advice and sharing helpful tips. This group allows students to have the support of their peers, making the online course feel less isolated and more like a classroom setting.

5. Approved Through Numerous Organizations

Our courses have been evaluated and approved through numerous organizations including the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB), The International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA) and the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners (MBCE). When students complete one of our massage certification courses, they become eligible to become a member of IAAMB.

Whether you are a professional looking to add a new technique to your practice, someone wanting to start a new career in the animal bodywork industry, or a pet owner looking for holistic solutions for your own pet, we have courses for you! Please consider enrolling in one of our courses. You won't regret it!

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See What Others are Saying!

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How Can My Cat Benefit from Massage and Bodywork?

7/18/2018

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Unlike dogs and horses, cats rarely show signs of lameness (altered gait), making it difficult for cat owners to determine if their cat could benefit from some form of bodywork. Dog owners often seek bodywork for their dogs when they notice that they are having trouble jumping up or down from furniture, are having difficultly standing up after resting, are reluctant to go on walks, cry out when touched or picked up or favor one or more legs while moving. Cats are usually more stoic than dogs, so cat owners need to be aware of other signs of feline body pain and discomfort.

Signs of Feline Body Pain and Discomfort:

Uncharacteristically moody or agitated
Walking with a "hump" in their mid to lower back
Reluctant to play
Decreased appetite
Chronic organ disease
Lack of energy

These signs listed above can also indicate serious health problems, so it is important to have a veterinarian examine your cat prior to seeking bodywork.

Types of Bodywork Cats Can Benefit From:

Massage Therapy:
Most cats really enjoy massage therapy. It is important to utilize a massage therapist who is educated on working on cats since the handling, evaluation and treatment will be different than canine massage. Massage will help mobilize metabolic waste out of the cat's muscles (this waste can be a source of muscle pain and discomfort) and bring in nutrient rich blood. Massage can also help break up adhesions that are formed due to injury and restore the cat's proper range of motion allowing them to move with more ease.

Craniosacral Therapy:
Craniosacral therapy is a bodywork technique that addresses the craniosacral rhythm which is found in all animals. This rhythm is similar to the animal's heartbeat, but is a result of the pumping of Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) rather than blood through the heart. The CSF nourishes the Central Nervous System (CNS) and changes in its flow can directly impact it. CSF flows from the skull of the animal (cranium), down the spinal cord to the sacrum (hence the name craniosacral). Craniosacral therapists can enhance and correct the flow of CSF through specific techniques and protocols. Many cats can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy, especially those who are experiencing chronic organ issues and chronic disease.

Kinesiology Tape:
Kinesiology tape is a stretchy, sticky athletic tape that was developed for humans over 30 years ago. This tape has recently gained popularity with animal bodywork practitioners after it was discovered that the same benefits humans experience when wearing the tape can be experienced by animals. To many people’s surprise, this revolutionary tape can be applied over an animal’s hair instead of directly to the skin to achieve the same decompression effect seen in humans. Cats can utilize kinesiology tape to naturally decrease pain, support joints or muscles that are injured to reduce further injury and speed up healing and decrease inflammation associated with surgery and injury.

Want to become certified in feline bodywork?

Click here to view our online course

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Tips to Keep your Dog Stress Free this 4th of July

7/4/2018

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Calming Taping:

Kinesiology tape can be place on your dog to have a calming effect similar to the "thunder" shirt.

Step one: Cut a piece of tape that is long enough to wrap around your dog's chest and across it's back.
Step two: Tear the paper of the tape in the center and using 50% stretch, lay the tape down in the center of your dog's chest.
Step three: Remove the paper on one side and lay it down with 20-50% stretch as shown in the picture.

Step four: Repeat on the opposite side

Step 5: Cut a second piece of tape that is long enough to wrap around your dog's back
Step 6: Tear the paper in the center and place the center of the tape down with 50% stretch over your dog's lower back
Step 7: Remove the paper on one side and lay it down with 20%-50% stretch doing along your dog's ribs and under torso towards their front arm
Step 8: Repeat on the opposite side

Aromatherapy Relaxation Blend:

1/2 oz base oil (extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed avocado oil, etc)
3 drops Lavender essential oil
3 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
3 drops Neroli or Sweet Orange essential oil
Store in a dark glass bottle

Apply 1-2 drops of this blend directly to the kinesiology tape. Always be sure to use high quality essential oils when performing aromatherapy!

Interested in learning more about canine kinesiology taping? Check out our online course! We offer a certification course for professional and a non-certification course for dog owners.

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