Animal Massage Guide » schools of massage therapy

Featured School: Bancroft School of Massage

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:54:01 +0000

We are starting a new series here at Animal Massage Guide – Featured Schools. I have invited several schools to participate, and first out is my own alma mater, Bancroft School of Massage in Worcester, MA.

I was in one of the first classes to graduate from the small animal massage certification program, and while these days animal massage is slowly becoming a more well known and widely accepted form of health care, when I was attending Bancroft, it was considered so unusual that the Today Show came and filmed us and did a piece on the school!

It was with great sadness that I parted with both Bancroft and my class mates. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, and as someone who didn’t have any prior health care training (apart from a year in pre-med when I was much younger), felt that I got a thorough education and understanding for how the canine body works.

The 200-hour program, which I attended, not only included extensive massage training, but also anatomy, behavior, biomechanics and gait analysis, energy healing, First Aid/CPR, passive exercises, business and marketing and more. We also each did an internship while still attending Bancroft, which I thought was enormously helpful, since you got to experience firsthand what your post-graduation life would be like while you still had your teachers there to ask about any issues that came up.

I would absolutely recommend Bancroft to anyone considering a career in animal massage – you get a solid education taught by experienced teachers passionate about massage, class mates that become friends for life, and all the support you could wish for.

Theresa Gagnon, Director of the Animal Program at Bancroft (and also one of the teachers), sent me this historical overview of the school:

Bancroft School of Massage – Then & Now

Bancroft School of Massage Therapy was established by Henry LaFleur in 1950. As proprietor of the Bancroft Health Center, a facility specializing in Swedish Massage and Sports Massage since 1938, Henry recognized the need to train students in massage therapy in order to meet public demand for professionals, as well as to ensure the consumer of qualified therapists. He purchased the George School of Massage (Boston, MA), moved it to Worcester, and changed the name to the Bancroft School of Massage. Henry taught evening classes at the health center for many years, and over time, both his students and his philosophy spread throughout the country.

In April 1980, Steven Tankanow, a student apprentice and friend of Henry’s, purchased the health center and the school, allowing Henry to devote all of his time to teaching. Under Steve’s guidance, the school was moved to modern quarters in the same building, and the name was changed to Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, incorporated in November 1981.

Steve then began work on achieving academic recognition for the school, and for the Massage Therapy profession as a whole. In November 1985, Bancroft School of Massage Therapy became the first massage therapy school to be licensed by the Department of Education–Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an allied health school offering training in Massage Therapy. Bancroft became nationally accredited in 1986 through NATTS, which became the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology that is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Bancroft maintains accreditation through the ACCSCT. In 1996, the school purchased its own building and designed a training facility specific to the needs of massage therapy training.

The school now occupies over 18,000 square feet of space comprising of offices, store, clinic, library, lecture rooms, massage training rooms, student lounge, student locker area, dressing rooms, shower areas and private student entrance.

In September of 2003, a groundbreaking even took place: Bancroft accepted the first class of Small Animal Massage Therapists. The school took what it already knew how to do, teach massage, and brought it to the animal world. Many dogs and cats, and even a pot bellied pig, have come through the doors of Doggone U, the animal training facility. Bancroft continues the tradition of providing first class massage therapy training to individuals that have a calling to work with animals.

In the fall of 2007, Bancroft opened its doors to even more animals, this time horses. Right here in our Worcester, MA facility – in the heart of the city – there are now 4 horse stalls as well. All under one roof, Bancroft School of Massage Therapy offers top rate massage training to students that want to learn the art of massage – regardless of which species they want to work with. BSMT is an equal opportunity educational facility – humans, horses, dogs, cats. Only time will tell in what direction Bancroft will go next to spread the art of massage.

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Animal Massage Schools – Australia

admin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:49:49 +0000

In the past few months, I have heard from many readers from all around the world who are wondering if there are any animal massage schools close to where they live. And since my goal is to make Animal Massage Guide the most complete source on the Internet for anyone interested in learning and practicing animal massage, I am expanding my list of schools to include other parts of the world as well, starting with Australia.

As you can see, these are not “just” massage therapy schools, they include many other alternative therapies as well. If you know of a school in Oceania you think should be on this list, just let me know.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Animal Equilibrium
Helen Anderson
Bringelly (Sydney), NSW
Phone: +61 (02) 47748023
Mobile: +61 0421474582
Email: animalequil@bigpond.com
Workshops in small and large animal acupressure and meridian massage, kinesiology, flower essences, homeopathy and Reiki

Animal Talk
Trisha Mc Cagh
Animal Communicator
P.O. Box 1123
Lane Cove, NSW 1595
Phone: +61 (0)419 999 407
Email : trisha@animaltalk.com.au
Animal communication workshops in various locations in Australia, Tasmania, and Africa.

Equine Angel
Raph Kennedy
PO Box 10
Bargo, NSW 2574
Phone: +61 (0)418 328 587
Email: equineangel@bigpond.com
Equine massage workshops

Healthy Happy Horses, Naturally
Catherine Bird
PO Box 670
Randwick, NSW 2031
Phone: +61 02 9314 7002
Equine Aromatherapy Correspondence courses, Weekend seminars in equine massage and aromatherapy (available in Australia and New Zealand), Saturday training clinics (techniques to help ease muscle spasms and strains) and Private Instruction in aromatherapy, herbalism and massage

H.E.C. (Human, Equine, Canine) Remedial therapy
Helen Andrews-Smith
Phone: +61 07 40962867
Email: hec@aussiebroadband.com.au
Canine and Equine HEC Diploma, H.E.C Equine Massage & Stretching courses. Classes are held at Tamworth Campus, Janison Street, Tamworth NSW 2340. Courses are also available in New Zealand, Europe and the US

Stillness Institute
33 Pineridge Close
Lisarow NSW 2250
Phone: +61 (0)410 498 373 or 0410 234 490
Email: info@stillnessinstitute.com
Workshops and diploma courses in equine and canine CranioSacral therapy

Sydney College of Homeopathic Medicine
Devonshire House, Level 2
139 Alexander Street
Crows Nest, NSW 2065
Phone:+61 294379857
Fax:+61 294379236
Email:schm@homeopathycollege.com
Animal Homeopathy distance study courses: One-year foundation course and four-year professional course.

The Australasian College of Equine Phytotherapy
Angela Davison
PO Box 161
Ballina NSW 2478
Email: angela@thehorseherbalist.com
Equine hair testing technique courses. Apprentice system.

QUEEENSLAND

Animal Physiotherapy Solutions
Lindsey Connell
PO Box 64
Wellers Hill, QLD, 4121
Phone: +61 (0)403 970 675
Email: animalphysio@animalphysiosolutions.com.au
Small animal physiotherapy courses

EMRT & CCMRT – Equine, Cat & Canine Muscle Release Therapy
Ali Goward
PO Box 47
Tiaro, Queensland 4650
Phone: +61 [0]7 41 939826
Email: emrt.ali@ozemail.com.au
Equine and Small Animal Muscle Release Therapy (based on Bowen) workshops and Practitioner courses

Natural Animal Care
Phone: +61 (0)7 3352 3108
Email: info@naturalanimalcare.com
Animal communication, Reiki, aromatherapy and massage workshops in the Brisbane area

VICTORIA

Australian College of Animal Tactile Therapy
Monbulk, Victoria
Phone: +61 3 9752 1688
Email: acatt@alphalink.com.au
Equine Diploma and Certificate courses (massage, health, nutrition, handling, rehabilitation, herbs and more)

The National College of Traditional Medicine
134 Durham Road
Sunshine VIC 3020
Phone: +61 3 9312 5573
Fax: +61 3 9311 3501
Email: mail@nctm.com.au
Equine & Canine Myofunctional Therapy, Equine Podio-therapy, Small Animal and Equine Nutrition Certificate, Herbal Medicine for Horses and Companion Pets Certificate, Small Animal and Equine Naturopathy Diploma (includes massage training), and Pasture Management Certificate courses

School of Equus
PO Box 191
Yarra Glen, Victoria 3775
Phone: +61 (0)433 239 617
Fax: +61 (0)3 5797 8298
Email: lynn@schoolofequus.com.au
Join-Up courses

Smart Bowen Therapy International College
7 Clifton Drive
Lancefield
Victoria, Australia, 3435
Phone: +61 (0)3 5429 2010
Fax: +61 (0)3 5429 2022
Email: info@smartbowen.com
Equine and small animal Smart Bowen workshops. Diploma program in Equine Smart Bowen Therapy. Certificate and Practitioner small animal Smart Bowen programs. Classes are held at various locations in Australia.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

St. Francis College Of Animal Homeopathy
3 – 185 Main Street
Osborne Park, WA. 6017 Australia.
Phone +61 1300 132 966
Fax + 61 1300 855 183
Animal Homeopathic Certificate and Diploma courses. Distance learning only (worldwide).

VISITING COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Amanda Warner
Pakuranga, NZ
Phone: +64 (0) 22 653 0880
Email: animal.bfrp.nz@gmail.com
BachFlowerInstitute@mandp.com.au
Workshops in Bach Flower remedies for animals in New Zealand and Australia.
Classes in Australia 2012

Camelidynamics
Marty McGee Bennett
18380 Pinehurst Rd.
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 318-5026
Online contact form
Workshops and clinics in TTEAM for camelids in the US, Canada and Australia.
Classes in Australia 2012

Equine CranioSacral Workshops
Maureen Rogers, Equine Consultant
P.O. Box 696
Aptos, CA 95001, USA
Phone: (831) 642-2210
Email: info@equinecraniosacral.com
Based in the US. Offer Equine and Canine Craniosacral workshops in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe
Classes in Australia 2012
February 28 – March 2: ESC 1 (Equine Craniosacral Foundation class), Gatton, QLD
March 7-10: ESC 2, Katteminga Lodge, Mewbury, VIC
March 12: Equine dissection, Katteminga Lodge, Mewbury, VIC
March 13-16: ESC 3, Katteminga Lodge, Mewbury, VIC

The Equine Touch
Dr. Ivana Ruddock
Jock Ruddock
Email: ivanaruddock@aol.com or EquineTouchInc@aol.com
Equine Touch workshops and clinics in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
Classes in Australia 2012

Equinology/Caninology
Main Office USA:
PO Box 1192,
Gualala, CA, 95445 USA
Phone: (707) 884-9963
Fax: (707) 884-9983
E-mail: office@equinology.com
Based in the US. Offer courses in Equine and Canine sports massage, complementary modalities and health care, as well as Equine and Canine Body Worker Certification courses in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Europe.
Classes in Australia 2012
February 21-25: Advanced Equine Bodywork Level One, Medowie, NSW
February 28 – March 7: Equine Body Worker Certification Course, Medowie, NSW
March 10-18: Anatomy Discovery Workshop, Sutton, NSW
October 18-26: Equine Body Worker Certification Course, Stirling Estate Equestrian Centre, Capel, Western Australia
October 29 – November 2: Equine Myofascial Release Level I, Stirling Estate Equestrian Centre, Capel, Western Australia
November 4-6: Equine Myofascial Release Level I, Stirling Estate Equestrian Centre, Capel, Western Australia
December 9-12: Principles of Saddle Fitting and Shoeing Dynamics, Sutton, NSW

The Gurney Institute of Animal Communication New
3715 North Cornell Road
Agoura, CA 91301, USA
Phone: (818) 597-1154
Fax: (818) 991-1081
Email: Admin@GurneyInstitute.com
Based in the US. Animal communication workshops and certification programs in the US, Australia and New Zealand.
Classes in Australia 2012
March 3-4: Introductory Animal Communication Workshop, Melbourne
March 5: Problem-solving Techniques, Melbourne

Heidi Wright
PO Box 482
Malin, OR 97632
Phone: (530) 640-0686
Email: online contact form
Based in the US. Animal communication courses in Australia, Europe, and the US.
Classes in Australia 2012

Jan Fennell International Dog Listeners Ltd
Pond Farm
Scotterthorpe, Lincolnshire DN21 3JL
Phone: +44 (0) 1724 761764
Email: info@janfennellthedoglistener.com
Based in the UK. Canine communication courses in Australia, Europe, UK and the US
Classes in Australia 2012
January 28-29: Foundation Course in Canine Communication, Melbourne, VIC
February 4-5: Foundation Course in Canine Communication, Perth, Western Australia
February 18-19: Foundation Course in Canine Communication, Geelong, VIC

Listening to Whispers – Tellington TTouch Training
Edie Jane Eaton
Phone: (819) 459-2110 (USA)
Email: ediejane@listeningtowhispers.com
Based in Canada. Offers Feldenkrais, TTEAM and TTouch workshops and certification classes in Europe, South Africa, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
Classes in Australia 2012

Margrit Coates Animal Healing
PO Box 1826
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP5 2BH
Email: margrithealer@hotmail.com
Equine healing workshops in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
Classes in Australia 2012

Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute
4559 Red Rock Dr.
Larkspur, CO 80118, USA
Phone: 303-681-3033
Toll-free: 1-888-841-7211
Fax: 303-681-2999
Email: info@animalacupressure.com
Based in the US. Offer Equine and Small Animal Acupressure courses in the US, Canada, Australia, UK, and Europe.
Classes in Australia 2012
All classes held in the Ballina/Byron Bay area, NSW
October 27-28: Introduction to Equine or Small Animal Acupressure,
October 29 – November 1: Meridians & Specific Conditions 1 & 2
November 3-4: Introduction to Tui Na
November 5-6: Indicators & Assessment
November 7: Review & Study Day
November 8: Practicum & Blue Book Exam – Equine or Small Animal

Tellington TTouch Training Canada
Robyn Hood
5435 Rochdell Road
Vernon, B.C. V1B 3E8
Phone: 250-545-2336 or 800-255-2336
Fax: 250-545-9116
Email: ttouch@shaw.ca
Based in Canada. Offers TTEAM and TTouch workshops and certification classes in Canada and Australia.
Classes in Australia 2012
May: TTouch for Companion Animals, Brisbane
May: TTEAM for horses, Melbourne
May: TTouch for Companion Animals, Melbourne

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