Train For Your New Career With Us....

Therapeutic Canine Massage Diploma

(externally accredited)

This specialised Accredited Diploma in Therapeutic Canine Massage builds a solid foundation of Theory, Practical Training & an Assessed Externship to ensure you are trained to the very highest level in this challenging and rewarding field.

New Student Application - CLOSED - (but please see below!) Thank You for all your applications, we have been inundated with applications which we are currently assesing. If you have already had your phone interview and been offered a place you will be receiving a follow up call/email to reconfirm. If you are awaiting your call these will be taking place week begginning 7th November 2011. First modules will be sent out on the first week of January 2012.

New Student Application: We are currently finalising the latest student list BUT there may be a couple of places available so if you are interested please email us your self assessment form and we can get in touch in January to let you know if your application has been successful! (phone interview pending)

Thank You, Best Wishes, Natalie Lenton, Director, Canine Massage Therapy Centre Ltd.

Click Here For Full Course Prospectus

How Do I Enrol?

We are now taking email applications for new students with written modules commencing January 2012

Please be aware that pricing may be subject to change. Enrolment will take place in November 2011.

Please complete the Pre Questionnaire and Self Assessment here.Then email it directly to Natalie, your course Tutor & Mentor at, info@k9-massage.co.uk

Enrolment Procedure

1. Read Full Course Details (click on link above)

2. Complete self assessment form (link above) and email back to info@k9-massage.co.uk

3. This document is filed ready for enrolment week (week commencing 31st Oct)

4. Your friendly phone interview will take place as arranged by email

5. Acceptance on the course will be followed by full enrolment forms being sent by email

6. Send us your enrolment forms back by post

7. You may begin the Home Study Modules immediately and your practical session dates will

commence April 2013

Already Applied? Had Your Phone Interview? We have been inundated with applications and requests so if you have not heard back from us by 31st October please do drop an email directly to Natalie on natalie@k9-massage.co.uk

Why Train With Us?

This intensive course has been been designed to give the student the knowledge and practical skills necessary to become a successful Therapeutic Canine Masseuse working with Vets and Owners to produce significant and tangible results in terms of movement, mobility and rehabilitation after injury, operation or simply as a matter of course in terms of the ageing dog.

When performed safely and correctly, Therapeutic Canine Massage is a highly skilled, safe, versatile and non invasive therapy that can resolve common issues like lameness, stiffness and performance issues and can significantly improve the way a dog copes with long term conditions like Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia, helping to not only improve quality of life but also making significant long term changes to the dogs mobility and overall health with quite often outstanding results.

As a qualified Therapeutic Canine Massage Therapist it is important to not only understand how muscular pain and dysfunction affects the dogs day to day life but to understand how the initial problem came about so you can look at helping to resolve or support it through manipulation, or importantly when the dog needs to referred back to the vet or perhaps onto another form of physical therapy. By working Best Practice you will always be working with the dogs best interest firstly and foremostly helping you to gain a solid reputation in your chosen field.

The Priniciples Of Therapeutic Canine Massage Therapy

Everything in the dogs body is related
An indepth working knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology and being able to identify separate muscles in the vast muscular system is paramount
Tight muscles are ineffective and painful and if left untreated can be the cause of massive injury and pain in the future
Sore and tight muscles will make a dog seem old before their time and can actually worsen a condition
Muscular Conditions are responsible for ‘unidentified pain’ that is not detected by X Ray and does not as a matter of course show on MRI scans, the art of palpation can quite often identify muscular issues
The best thing that works on soft tissue is somebody else’s soft tissue
By looking at Activities Of Daily Living and gaining a picture of the dogs habitual patterns, muscular and skeletal imbalances can be pinpointed and significantly improved or resolved
The art of Palpation is paramount to the success of the treatment
Knowing when you can’t help is just as important as knowing when you can; significant results will be achieved between 1 to 3 sessions
Always working with veterinary consent and informing owners of what you have found is paramount to the commencement and ongoing success of the treatment

Therapeutic Canine Massage Diploma

accredited by Ascentis (formerly Open College Network West)

How It Works

11 Home Study Modules to include Canine Anatomy & Physiology, Massage Theory, Soft Tissue Injuries, Canine Kineseology (Movement & Gait Analysis), Orthopaedic Issues, Clinician Skills and Business Awareness.

Practical Study Days

6 Intensive Weekends. You will be working on visiting dogs that range from young dogs to senior, those with soft tissue injuries, Arthritic and Hip Dysplastic dogs, those who have had Cruciate Ligament and other types of Surgery, working dogs, sporting dogs and you will attend an on site full day practical session with Racing Greyhounds, and a second on site practical day at Rescue Kennels, as well as working with a visiting Agility Club.

Throughout your practical weekends you will be learning:

Swedish Massage Techniques
Sports Massage Techniques
Advanced Canine Massage Techniques
Myofascial Release
Soft Tissue Release
Trigger Point Work
Traditional & Up To Date Massage Techniques
Customised Canine Massage Techniques
What techniques you use, where and when
Effective Gait Analysis
The Art Of Palpation; know what you are feeling, what it means and what you need to do to rectify the issue
AND....
Canine & Client Handling
How To Give An Effective Treatment
How To Keep Client Information Sheets
Your Health & Safety - looking after yourself so you can look after others
Therapeutic Advice & Feedback
Essential Marketing Tools
Business Awareness

The Externship

8 Case Studies on 8 different dogs. 3 treatments on each and full documentation and evidence to support your learning and your portfolio.

Send us an email on the enquiry form and request the full details of the course or

your enrollment form!

Who Is It Taught By & Why?

Natalie Lenton, owner of the Canine Massage Therapy Centre and Expert Columnist on Natural Canine Healthcare for ‘Our Dogs’ Newspaper is your tutor for the course.

She is based in Worcestershire but has clients travel from Scotland, Devon, Wales, London, Newcastle etc…. to visit her specifically at her Clinic in Worcestershire, she even has clients come over from Spain & recently France!. Is it because there is no one else doing massage for dogs in Great Britain? The answer is no, its just there is no one doing it quite like this.... She has painstakingly developed and built upon traditional massage techniques that are taught for dogs and people and introduced Deep Manual Release methods that quite simply change dogs lives in as little as 1 to 3 sessions. People and other masseuses, both dog and human, have been asking her for several years to teach what she does, and as she is now inundated with clients its time to pass on the knowledge and expertise which will help to change the lives of dogs across the UK and get this method of physical therapy the recognition and status that it so deserves.

Cost

£2400 (subject to change at the discretion of the course provider)

Payable over 4 installments (a further £168 pounds is payable to Ascentis within 6 weeks of enrolment for your accreditation fee and certification)

How Long Does It Take?

Depending on the student and the study time they have available between 18 to 24 months to become a Qualified Therapeutic Canine Massage Practitioner. Total Hours: Over 700 hours to include Practical & Theory

Why Does It Take So Long?

You will be gaining a working knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology and Biomechanics as well as learning how to use the correct veterinary and anatomical terminology. You will be taught how to pick up on and clearly identify muscular issues just through gait analysis as well as pin pointing which of the hundreds of muscles it is that is causing the problem and why. You will learn and develop the art of palpation so you can do on the spot assessments of a dogs muscoskeltal system. You will be learning the intricaies of the muscular system incuding Origins, Insertions and Actions alongside Canine Kinesiology (Gait Analysis). Massage is not as easy as it looks and as with other modalities of physical therapy it is not innocuous, you can do serious harm to a dog if massage is done incorrectly. Quite simply you will be learning to be the best for your new career, and that takes time, appreciation and understanding.

Who Is The Course For?

Veterinary Nurses

Adults wanting a career change working with dogs
Animal and Human Physiotherapists
Mctimoney Animal Manipulators
Groomers
Human Masseuses thinking of combining their practice
Kennel Hands
People wanting to work with dogs
People with previous massage qualifications, dog and human

Please do be aware that Canine Massage is a very physical job which can mean spending prolonged periods on the floor, standing at a table or handling dogs. It is not a relaxing occupation despite its associations. If you would like to discuss the occupational hazards or elements of physical stress that are associated with being a Clinical Canine Masseuse before you start the course please do not hesitate to contact us.

When Can I Start?

Applicants must be 21 or over.

A place on the course is subject to a phone interview.

There are only 3 intakes of practical students per year and each intake is capped at 7 people to ensure you get the very best training, tutoring and mentorship possible to make you the best practitioner of canine massage that their can be; therefore places are on a first come first served basis.

Make no mistake this course takes a lot of hard work and dedication for a career that is, if you a dog lover, the best job in the world.