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!

VIEW OUR COURSES

See What Others are Saying!

48 Comments

Darja Porcelli

7/24/2018 04:55:20 pm

Hi there, I am going to pursue a new career as a holistic doggie healer, I have personal experience with dogs, training my own, and dog sitting other people dogs, but no formal training or work in a vet or boarding facility, I am looking to enroll in the 3 course doggie bundle, the 30% off was the sign, that's fits right in my budget. I live in Reno, NV and understand that every state has different rules and regulations, would I be able to start practicing upon completion of the courses. There is 1 holistic dog care facility, which I am planning to visit and hopefully meet the Dr. There, I have si many questions. I'm super excited about this journey I'm about to embark on, and I feel like I have found my calling, look forward to hearing from you. Thanks and enjoy this beautiful day!

Darja Porcelli
djdarja11@gmail.com
775-544-7490

Dr. Barbara

7/24/2018 08:32:43 pm

Hi Darja,

I just sent you an email. If you didn't receive for some reason, you can email me at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com

Looking forward to talking with you.

Eileen Campbell

3/7/2019 03:54:34 pm

I am also looking at the 3 class bundle, I live in Northern Minnesota on completion of the courses would I need any other certification beyond your course or licensure in Minnesota to practice? I have been a pet owner all my life but most recently have had a personal experience with my own pet having early onset arthritis. He is a Chiweenie and no sign of this on x-rays but he has so much rear leg pain it is in diagnosed no answers at this time he will be 5 this month, he is a rescue dog. He has a passion for Agility which we have had to quit. Just want to allow him to lead a normal life

Dr. Angel

3/7/2019 04:03:40 pm

Hi Eileen, to my knowledge you can practice in Minnesota after completing our massage certification course. Our course will allow you to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) and they will provide you with malpractice insurance options. Your dog can greatly benefit from the techniques you will learn in the bundle. If you have any questions, I can be reached by email at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com :-)

Ines De Pablo

5/9/2019 03:22:45 pm

After completing the bundle would I be certified and allowed to practice in Washington state?

5/9/2019 03:25:07 pm

Hello Ines, no, it is my understanding that you need to take an in class room course that is approved by WA state to practice there.

Tami Peters

6/28/2019 11:28:13 am

Hi I just want to confirm that after taking your classes I can start practicing immediately. I live in California and I don't believe there are laws governing animal massage.

Thank you for your answer. I'm very excited to get started. I am certified in Swedish massage for people at this time and am a Certified Medical Assistant, but have decided that my love for dogs is really where I want to go. I practiced massage on my dog and any other dog while I was learning my swedish :) and they are just so grateful to be touched. Thanks again.

6/28/2019 12:24:24 pm

Hi Tami,

Yes to my knowledge CA does not have any additional requirements. We do have other students and practitioners in your state who are practicing after completing our certification course. Sounds like you are the perfect candidate for our Canine Massage Certification Course based on your background. If you have any other questions, I can be reached at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com

Samantha

8/8/2019 01:59:22 pm

Hello I am interested in taking the full bundle package. I live in indiana and was wondering if I could start working right away after becoming certified?

8/8/2019 02:11:49 pm

Hi Samantha, the laws have recently changed in your state. I recommend that you try to contact some animal massage therapists there and see if they can point you in the right direction as far as finding out if animal massage is legal and if you need veterinary referral. If massage is legal in your state, then you should be able to practice after completing our course. It will make you eligible to become a member of the International Association of Animal massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) and they will provide you with malpractice insurance options. If you have any other questions I can be reached directly at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com

Laura

12/7/2019 01:04:56 am

I'd like to do the bundle and also the hands-on workshops. Will this allow me to practice in New Mexico? Thanks you.

12/7/2019 08:14:08 am

Hello Laura, Yes, to my knowledge you will be able to practice in New Mexico after completing our certification course and gaining veterinary referrals. We cover how to get vet referrals in the course. If you have any other questions, I can be reached directly at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com

Kristie

1/1/2020 05:13:31 pm

Hi Dr. Angel,
What can you tell me about practicing in Vancouver, British Columbia? I am a Registered Veterinary Technician and wish to expand my skills.
Thank you so much!
Kind regards,
Kristie

1/1/2020 07:54:34 pm

Hi Kristie,

I'm not sure what the exact laws are in BC. Completing our massage certification course will allow you to become a member of IAAMB and they provide their Canadian members with malpractice insurance options. You could try to contact some animal massage therapists in your area to see if they can point you in the right direction of finding out the local laws.

Suzannah Meir

2/10/2020 10:47:41 pm

I am a Master Herbalist and am also taking a Holistic Horse Healing course at the moment. I too, am in BC, Canada, and will look into the laws here, but is this something I can take, or do you need to already be a therapist of some sort?

2/11/2020 08:27:18 am

Hi Suzannah,

Thanks for writing. You are qualified to enroll in our massage course or any of our course bundles at this time. If you have any other questions, I can be reached directly at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com.

:-)

Jen Vessell

3/5/2020 12:05:47 pm

Hi. Can you tell me if there are any additional requirements to practice in NH
Thank you!

3/5/2020 12:14:29 pm

To my knowledge, animal massage is allowed in New Hampshire without veterinary referral. Completing our course will allow you to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork and they will provide you with liability insurance options, so you will be all set to practice!

Holly

6/21/2020 10:16:48 am

Hello I am interested in taking the full bundle package. I live in tennessee and was wondering if I could start working right away after becoming certified?

6/21/2020 10:43:59 am

Hi Holly, Yes, at this time animal massage is allowed in TN and you are able to practice once you complete our certification course. Our course will make you eligible to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB). They will provide you with liability insurance options so you can begin practicing. If you have any other questions, I can be reached directly at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com or through FB at https://www.facebook.com/angelique.barbaradc

Amanda

6/23/2020 01:54:21 pm

Hi! I’m looking at the dog bundle, and I’m a little confused about WV. The IAAMB website says, “No response from vet board” in regards to WV requirements, but I also can’t find a single practitioner here. Do you have any insight for me in regards to whether or not I could open a practice?

Thanks!

6/23/2020 02:30:46 pm

Hi Amanda,

That means that your state likely does not have laws specific to animal massage (making it a grey area because they do not specify if it is allowed or not). You are correct that we do not have any practitioners there at this time, but you could try to google animal massage therapists in your state and see if anyone is able to talk with you. They can let you know if they have ever had issues with the veterinary board. You could also try asking a local veterinarian. Good luck! If I can answer any other questions for you, please email me at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com

Jillian Smith

7/15/2020 10:34:13 am

Hello,
My name is Jillian Smith and I have a 10 year old dog who I am thinking of taking these classes to help him and other dogs. My question is I live right onn the border of MN and WI and have a place in both states. If I read correctly in MN once I take this course and register with some board I would be certified. But what does it take for WI?

7/15/2020 12:38:19 pm

Hello Jillian,

Thanks for writing. Animal massage is legal in both states. WI requires veterinary supervision to practice though. I'm not familiar with a state registry for animal massage in either state. To my knowledge WA state is the only state with a registry at this time. Completing our course will allow you to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork and they will provide you with liability insurance options for both states. If you have any other questions about our program, I can be reached through email at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com :-)

Anne Brown

9/2/2020 12:40:49 pm

Hello Dr. Barbara! I am a registered nurse with my Masters degree in nursing education. I also have degrees in equine production & management, and equine theriogenology. I bred, raised and trained working stock horses professionally for 20 years before nursing, and have been nursing at the bedside (hospital) for 6 1/2 years now.
This whole Covid situation has contributed to unhealthy burnout in my human nursing career, and I wish to return to the joy and fulfillment I found working daily with animals. My hope is that I can marry these 2 areas of knowledge into a business that will remove me from hospital politics and daily infection exposure.
I also want to apply these techniques to my yearling mule with flexural limb issues, and my 27-yr old retired cutting horse stallion, dealing with the aches of an elder athlete.
I am looking at the Ultimate Equine Bodywork Certification Bundle.
Are my hopes for this course realistic? I am in east central Ohio, with a huge surrounding equine population, and only 1 myofacial release practitioner to be found.

9/2/2020 01:23:48 pm

Hello Anne, Yes, I think you will do really well in our program given your background. The Ultimate Equine Bundle would be perfect (both for your new career and for your own equines). If you have any questions about the program, please send me an email at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com

:-)

Phoebe

12/15/2020 05:18:39 pm

Hi i was looking at you Equine massage certification course, I am from Idaho and was wondering if i could start practicing after I finish?

Mary Detloff, Program Admin for Angel's Animals

12/30/2020 11:07:12 pm

Hi Phoebe!
Animal bodywork is legal in Idaho, so upon completion of our equine massage certification course you will be qualified to become a member of IAAMB, purchase liability insurance, and then start your own practice.
Reach out if you have any additional questions!

Cory

12/30/2020 10:31:22 pm

Hi there! I live in Washington state and I saw in a reply to someone else's question that I wouldn't be able to practice in WA with online certification. I was wondering though, would I be able to practice in Oregon State after going through the dog massage program online?

And also, I'm very introverted and nervous about the reality of finding work once I'm certified to practice. Does the course contain information or resources regarding starting my own practice, or finding an existing practice to work for? I'm pretty ignorant about the options, but my goal would be to make a humble living and still have most my time free for my own dogs.
Do people network and find employment opportunities through the Facebook page?

Thanks so much.
Cory

12/30/2020 11:11:13 pm

Hi Cory,
Thanks for writing! Oregon allows animal bodywork, with vet supervision. That's kind of the "gray area". Typically that means a vet would need to write a note saying the animal would benefit from bodywork, as some vets consider a referral to be a form of supervision. I would recommend you reach out to a practitioner in your area to ask them how they go about practicing while staying within the guidelines for your state. You can find a list of our practitioners here: https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/practitioners.html

Most animal massage therapists are self employed and Dr. Barbara does cover how to start and run a business in the course. Additionally after you complete our course, we will help you find a mentor in your area if needed. We also add you to our private FB group where you can interact with other students and practitioners. It is a great community of people who help each other succeed.

Let me know if you have any additional questions!

Alexnadra link

2/26/2021 11:25:29 pm

Hello,
I am interested in the Equine Bundle. I live in Colorado. Would I be able to practice massage immediately after completing your course here?

Additionally, I understand that with an open time line courses are completed in different time frames for each individual.

Could you break down the minimum time requirement for just the equine massage course specifically? Maybe for each equine course included in the bundle?

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Alexandra

2/27/2021 07:52:46 am

Hi Alexandra,
Thanks for your interest! Colorado requires that you take an "approved" course to practice there. They have never responded when we asked what qualifies a course to be approved, so I can't say for sure if our course is approved there, but we do have students practicing there without any issues. Completing our course will allow you to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) and they will provide you liability insurance options which will enable to you practice in most states that allow animal massage.

The massage course takes at least 100 hours to complete. The additional certification courses are about 10 hours each.

If you have any other questions, please email us at holisticanimalstudies@gmail.com :-)

Lori

3/14/2021 05:30:01 pm

I live in Iowa would this be all I need to be certified and be able to give dog massages?

3/15/2021 10:30:14 am

Hi Lori, Yes, animal massage is allowed in your state for relaxation purposes (not therapeutic).

Jordan

4/9/2021 04:08:18 pm

Hello there,
I just wanted to confirm that Georgia is a state that would allow me to practice with certification from you program. Thank you!

4/10/2021 06:43:17 am

Hello Jordan, Yes animal massage is allowed in your state. Once you complete our massage certification course, you will be eligible to join the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork and they will provide you with liability insurance options. If you have any questions about the program, you can email use at holisticanimalstudies@gmail.com :-)

Linda Reagan

8/8/2021 05:14:01 pm

I have been working as Massage Therapist & Esthetician for over 30 years specializing in Medical/Oncology, Pre-Natal, Deep Tissue and other massage & body work. I'm interested in getting certified to work with dogs and cats and be able to travel. Interested in NV, AZ, ID and UT. NCBTMB member

8/9/2021 08:47:52 am

Awesome! We would love to have you in the program. Our canine and feline massage courses will give you a total of 17 CE credits through NCBTMB. You can receive additional credits if you take our course bundle which includes our kinesiology taping, craniosacral and body alignment courses as well. Animal massage is allowed in all the states you mentioned except that NV is a grey area because they do not have a law specific to animal massage. We do have practitioners in that state though and you can contact them to see how they handle it. If you have any other questions please email us at holisticanimalstudies@gmail.com :-)

Kristi Stevens

8/9/2021 05:28:50 pm

Hey Angel,
I have the same question as everyone else, but regarding the state of Florida. Thanks!
Kristi

8/9/2021 06:56:13 pm

Hi Kristi, Animal massage is allowed in FL without veterinary referral :-)

Tanya Holdrege

9/10/2021 11:12:00 pm

Hello,
I am looking to change careers, leaving nursing, and am wanting to be an equine holistic body worker. I currently live in NY. I have researched conflicting ideas about practicing this if I am not a licensed veterinarian. Are you able to shine any light on this subject? Even if I am not allowed to practice in NY, maybe moving over the border to PA would be something I could do?

9/11/2021 08:33:45 am

Hello Tanya,

Thanks for writing. Yes, NY is a tough state for animal massage although we do have students there. Please send me an email at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with some of our practitioners who can provide you with some insight.

:-)

Rebecca Smith

1/5/2022 04:24:59 pm

Hello,

I am interested in the full bundle canine package. I understand you can go at your own pace but approximately how long does it take to complete the course? Thank you 😊

Mary Detloff

1/5/2022 06:37:34 pm

Hi Rebecca!
Thanks for writing and for your interest in our Ultimate Canine Bundle, which is comprised of the following courses:
 
Canine Massage Certification - 150 hours
Canine Kinesiology Taping Certification - 10 hours
Canine Craniosacral Certification - 10 hours
Animal Neuro-myofascial Release Technique - 20 hours
Total hours - 190 (estimated)

Student's can work at their own pace, but typically it takes about 6-8 months to complete the entire bundle.
Please email us at holisticanimalstudies@gmail.com if you have additional questions!

Theresa Gabel

1/12/2023 04:50:09 pm

Hi Dr. Angel,
What can you tell me about practicing in the state of Illinois. I have been a Certified Veterinary Technician for about 15 years now and would love to explore this certification!
Thank you!
Theresa

1/12/2023 06:26:44 pm

Hi Theresa,
Thanks for writing and for your interest in our program!
Our program is accredited and recognized throughout the USA, as well as internationally. As long as animal bodywork is allowed in your state/area, our program's certification will be accepted. We reference the IAAMB website for guidelines on state laws regarding animal bodywork. You can look into their laws about your specific state here: https://iaamb.org/resources/laws-by-state/

I just looked up IL and this is the response: ILLINOIS : PREVIOUSLY ALLOWED: CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED
That's a bit tricky. I would recommend you reach out to IAAMB directly to see if they have a better answer, or can point you in the direction of someone in IL that you can ask. Additionally, I would recommend you reach out to a practitioner in your area to ask them how they go about practicing while staying within the guidelines for your state. You can find a list of our practitioners here: https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/practitioners.html

I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you.
Best of luck and let me know if there's anything else I can try to help with!

Karen DeKruger

2/18/2023 09:25:22 pm

Hello,
I am interested in the online canine bundle. After completing your program, will I be able to practice in Utah? Researching the Utah statutes, I believe I would need veterinarian referrals or supervision? Wasn't clear on that.

Thank you!

2/19/2023 09:20:44 am

Hello Karen, Yes you can practice in Utah after completing our courses with a referral from a veterinarian. We cover how to go about getting referrals in the massage certification course which is part of the bundle. We're looking forward to having you in the program. If you think of any other questions, you can email us at holisticanimalstudies@gmail.com