I also wanted to mention a new feature here on AMG, which I added a little while back, but haven’t really advertised – the option to list your school and/or practice with a direct link to your website right in the listing. At the moment, I do not have practitioner lists on the site, only schools, but they are in the works, so if you are a practitioner and would like to be included, please contact me and I will add you. The plan is to set them up like the school lists – by country and state/region. For prices and options, go to the “List Your School or Practice With Us” Page.

Here are the new additions to the school lists:

• Anima Mundi Incorporated, Prescott, AZ
• Animal Connection Network, Durango, CO
• Abundant Life Massage, Sarasota, FL
• Dragonfly Farm, Taft, TN
• BioEnergenics, Ovilla, TX
• Companion Animal Massage & Bodywork, Spring, TX
• The Vluggen Institute – VIEO&E, Austin, TX
• Anam Cara School of Equine Massage, Merrimac, WI

Go to US school list

Germany

• Barbara Echtler, Buchloe / Lindenberg
• Institution für telepathische Communication, Nastätten
• Karin Black, Roggenburg
• Lily Merklin, Freiburg
• Praxis for Tierberatung, Berlin
• Silke Harrington, Stuttgart
• Tierkommunikation, Herdwangen-Schönach
• TTeam guild Germany, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid

The Netherlands

• Beest en Goed
• Course Animal Care Center, Barneveld
• The Vluggen Institute – VIEO&E, Puth

Switzerland

• bfb-Functional Treatment, Chur
• Elemental Acupressure
• Helen Gerber Sirin, Zimmerwald
• Lisa Leicht, Bern
• Lisbeth Traffelet , St. Antony
• Maya Conoci, Langrickenbach
• SinTakt International School, Ellighausen
• Theresa Cottarelli-Guenther, Castel San Pietro
• Tiertalk, Mönchaltorf

Visiting Classes & Workshops

• Tellington TTouch – Upcoming classes in Italy, Germany & Switzerland September 2010

Go to European school list

Visiting Classes & Workshops

• Tellington TTouch Canada – Upcoming classes Bath, September 2010

Go to UK school list

• Amanda Warner, Pakuranga
• Animal Communication / Animal Energy Healing

Go to New Zealand school list

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Also, if you have attended a massage school and have feedback you would like to share with us, please comment on this post, or if you prefer not to share your name, send your testimonial directly to me, and I will post it anonymously.

Lisa wrote:
Hi, I have been considering going to school for pet massage for a couple months now. Your website has a lot of great information and is the best comprehensive look at schools that I have been able to find.

The main problem I am having is finding out truly how good these schools/certification courses really are and how well they prepare you to start your own business. Of course all the schools are going to say they have the best program and prepare you to be confident to start your own business and have testimonials on their websites that stand by these statements.

But what I am looking for are the students’ individual opinions of the schools who have completed the pet massage program, with maybe some good and some bad. Or an expert who has looked over several schools and their programs and has the knowledge to compare them to one another.

Without being able to physically visit the schools myself it is very hard to tell which one would be right. I was hoping that perhaps you have some knowledge of this or maybe you have connections to people who have completed pet massage courses at a variety of schools and can give you their opinions. If you could post this information on your website it would be so helpful. Not only for me but for others trying to weigh their options.

Right now I am leaning towards Pet Massage LTD in Toledo, OH but because I haven’t seen any honest, straightforward opinions of any pet massage schools, I am still undecided and unsure. I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Lisa

My answer:
Hi Lisa!
You’re absolutely right, it is very difficult to decide which school to choose, especially as more and more of these courses are popping up everywhere. Did you see my post comparing massage programs? It gives you a brief overview of the more comprehensive programs offered.

My advice would be to select a program at an accredited massage therapy school that is at least 200 hours total, and includes plenty of hands-on instruction. 200 hours is the minimum required to be able to take the NBCAAM exam, which I absolutely recommend for everybody who wants to practice animal massage or acupressure for a living. The laws about animal massage are very much up in the air in almost every state, but if you have a solid training and the NBCAAM certification, you are in a much better position if/when they do change.

I would also check each school’s website and contact their graduates and ask what they thought of the program(s). If there are none listed, I would call or email the school and ask for contact info. If they are not willing to give that to you, I’d pass on that school.

How well the schools prepare you to start your own business is a very good question. I think most focus the majority of the instruction on bodywork, and some have basic business classes. If I were to design the business part of one of these programs, I would make the students start on a business plan at the beginning of the program and have them work on it throughout the entire education, perhaps with weekly check-in sessions that would allow for idea-swapping and reality checking. I think many people who go into this don’t think enough about the business side of things until they have to (myself included!).

One thing I found out recently is that many colleges have Small Business Development Centers, where they help you with all aspects of starting a business. Some also have workshops and classes, so that’s another option if you find a massage program you love but feel is lacking on the business side of things.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Best
Cattie

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April is ASPCA’s Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
May 2 – 8 is Be Kind to Animals Week
May 16 – 22 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week

And this one I have to mention because I would LOVE to attend (but I can’t):

May 22 – 5th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition, Imperial Beach, CA. The proceeds will benefit the San Diego Police Department’s Canine Unit.

As always, if you know of an event that belongs on this list, please contact me and I will add it.

April 17: Holistic Horse Day, Tucson, AZ
Learn the basics of muscle testing and how to communicate with your horse at Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary. Instructor: Anna Twinney.

April 18: Animal Communication Day, Tucson, AZ
Learn the basics of animal communication at Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary with instructor Anna Twinney.

April 23-24: Reiki I & II, Tucson, AZ
2-day Reiki certification class at Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary. Instructor Anna Twinney.

April 10-11: Animal Communication Workshop, Manhattan Beach, CA
Introductory workshop where you learn the basics of animal communication. Instructor: Carol Gurney.

April 17-18: Reiki for Horses & Energy Medicine Workshop, Lompoc, CA
Learn Reiki (day 1 is a Reiki Level I certification class) and the basics of other energy and vibrational healing methods as well as applied kinesiology at Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary. Instructor: Cindy Rackley

May 8: Animal Communication, John Muir Hospital, Concord, CA
Beginner level half-day animal communication workshop with Barbara Martin.

May 29-30: Reiki I & Animal Reiki Training: The Basics, Santa Rosa, CA
Learn the basics of Reiki and how to use it on both humans and animals. The workshop is held at BrightHaven, a holistic care facility for senior and special needs animals (50% of the class fee is donated to them). Instructor: Kathleen Prasad

April 3 & 26, May 10 & 24: Intro to Working with Animals and Essential Oils, Kaeru Studio, Littleton, CO
One-day class where you learn the basics of essential oils and how to use them on animals. Also includes an intro to applied kinesiology.

April 11 & 18: Animal Massage Seminar, Lakewood, CO
Two-part canine massage seminar at Ted Terroux’s Canine College where you learn the basics of anatomy and small animal massage. Instructor: Lizanne Flynn of Animals View.

April 16-18: Shamanism for Animals, New World Wellness, Kissimmee, FL
3-day workshop where you will learn about Shamanism and Shamanic healing; how to do a Shamanic journey; meet your animal healing Spirit team; connect with your power animal(s) (and learn to retrieve a power animal for someone else); experience an open-ended Shamanic healing for an animal; and journey into the afterlife for an animal. Instructor: Carla Meeske.

Note: Last day to sign up for this workshop is March 15

April 7-11: Reach Out To Horses, Kauai, HI
5-day natural horsemanship clinic with instructor Anna Twinney

May 16-18: Equine Touch Level I, Maui, HI
3-day clinic where you will learn the basics of Equine Touch.

April 9-11: Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, Chicago, IL
Two and half day workshop with dogs and horses where you will learn the basics of The Komitor Healing Method.

May 21-23: Introduction to Small Animal Acupressure – Elkhart, IN
Teaches you to perform a complete acupressure treatment protocol and gives you an understanding of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts and theories underlying acupressure. Instructor: Kim Bauer from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure.

May 2: Tellington TTouch Companion Animal Workshop, Worcester, MA
A one-day introduction to TTouch for Dogs and Cats at Bancroft School of Massage. Learn the basic bodywork, tools and movement exercises of Tellington TTouch. Bring your dog. Instructor: Leea Foran

June 18-21: Equine Craniosacral Foundation Class, MD
A class designed to introduce a physiological and intuitive understanding of CranioSacral work with horses. Taught by Equine Craniosacral Workshops.

April 16-18: Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, Minneapolis, MN
Two and half day workshop with dogs and horses where you will learn the basics of The Komitor Healing Method.

May 15-16: Animal Communication Workshop, Hattiesburg, MS
Introductory workshop where you learn the basics of animal communication. Instructor: Carol Gurney.

April 24-25: Animal Communication Workshop, Carson City, NV
Introductory workshop where you learn the basics of animal communication. Instructor: Carol Gurney.

April 25-27: Introduction to Equine or Small Animal Acupressure – Pittstown, NJ
Teaches you to perform a complete acupressure treatment protocol and gives you an understanding of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts and theories underlying acupressure. Instructors: Amy Snow and Kim Bauer from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure.

April 17-21: Tellington TTouch Companion Animal Foundation Training, NYC
5-day workshop (both for those interested in a TTouch career and those who just want to learn for their own personal knowledge) at the New York Open Center. Instructor: Edie Jane Eaton.

May 22-23: Animal Communication Workshop, Long Island, NY
Introductory workshop where you learn the basics of animal communication. Instructor: Carol Gurney.

April 9-12: Canine Massage Level 1, Synergy Farm, Circleville, OH
4-day introductory canine massage workshop. Learn about canine anatomy, behavior, body language and several different massage techniques. Taught by Integrated Touch Therapy.

April 30 – May 2: Equine Myofascial Release Seminar, Midland, OH
3-day hands-on seminar at Happenstance Stables where you will learn the basics of Equine Myofascial Release. Instructor: Tamara Rapier.

May 1-2: Animal Communication, Synergy Farm, Circleville, OH
2-day animal communication workshop where you will learn the basics of animal communication. Instructor: Maggie Bunce.

May 3-8: Equine Massage Level 1, Synergy Farm, Circleville, OH
6-day introductory equine massage workshop where you will learn equine muscle anatomy, several different massage techniques, and general equine wellness. Taught by Integrated Touch Therapy.

April 16-18: Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, Philadelphia, PA
Two and half day workshop with dogs and horses where you will learn the basics of The Komitor Healing Method.

April 30 – May 2: Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, Philadelphia, PA
Two and half day workshop with dogs and horses where you will learn the basics of The Komitor Healing Method.

May 16: Equine Massage 101 – Camden, SC
One-day seminar where you learn the basic principles of Equine Massage/Muscle Therapy. Instructor: Joyce Falese

April 10: Basic Animal Communication Workshop, Houston, TX
Learn the basics of animal communication at the Earth Sanctuary in Houston. Instructor: Allison Culver of The Lightfoot Way.

April 11: Reiki I For Animals, Houston, TX
Learn the basics of Reiki for animals and receive the level 1 attunement. Instructor: Kim Shotola of The Lightfoot Way.

April 17: Emotional Freedom Technique Workshop, Houston, TX
Learn how to use EFT on people and animals and through a surrogate. Instructor: Allison Culver of The Lightfoot Way.

April 18: Homeopathy & Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine Workshop, Houston, TX
This class will teach you the basics of TCM, how homeopathy works, how the remedies are created, and how to use them. Instructor: Kim Shotola of The Lightfoot Way.

April 18: Crystal & Color Therapy Workshop, Houston, TX
This class will teach you the history and benefits of crystals as well as handling them, use them on animals and make crystal essences. You will also learn about the healing properties of colors and how to use them with animals. Instructor: Kim Shotola of The Lightfoot Way.

May 23: Nutrition and Kinesiology Workshop, Houston, TX
Learn about proper nutrition and the basics of using kinesiology to determine proper nutrition, topical products and to determine if your pet is allergic to a certain food or product. Instructor: Allison Culver of The Lightfoot Way.

May 25-27: Equine Touch Level 1, San Marcos, TX
3-day clinic where you will learn the basics of Equine Touch. Instructor: Dr. Ivana Ruddock

April 30 – May 2: Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, Richmond, VA
Two and half day workshop with dogs and horses where you will learn the basics of The Komitor Healing Method.

May 21-23: Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, Olympia, WA
Two and half day workshop with dogs and horses where you will learn the basics of The Komitor Healing Method.

May 22-23: Camelidynamics Workshop, Kennewick, WA
2-day basic camelidynamics (TTeam-based bodywork method for camelids) clinic at Sandollar Alpacas in Kennewick. Instructor: Marty McGee Bennett

April 9-11: Introduction to Equine Acupressure, Monroe, WI
Teaches you to perform a complete acupressure treatment protocol and gives you an understanding of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts and theories underlying acupressure. Instructor: Kathi Soukup from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
April 17-18: TTouch For You and Your Horse, Vernon, B.C.
Learn the basics of Tellington TTouch for use on your horse, dog or human family members. Instructors: Robyn Hood and Mandy Pretty

ONTARIO
April 6-9: Equi-Bow Level 1, Puslinch, ON
Learn the basics of Equi-Bow (a blend of Bowen, CranioSacral and Feldenkrais technique for horses). Instructors: Cheryl Gibson and Simone Usselman-Tod

April 10 & May 15: Info Session Days, Darcy Lane Institute, London, ON
Learn about a career in Equine Massage and get information about the program at Darcy Lane.

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