Classes Offered

Canine Massage

• Learn to Massage Your Dog (LTMYD)
  
  • Cost: $250
  • Hours: 15 (NCBTMB & OPEN to the GENERAL PUBLIC)
  • Instructor: Jenifer Funk
  • Upcoming Dates 
    • TBA
  • Location:  Sarasota, FL 34235** 
  • Overview: In this 15 hour course, you will learn: the benefits of dog massage, indications and contra-indications, when to refer to a vet, basic canine anatomy, several different massage strokes and when to use each stroke, a full-body canine relaxation massage routine, 22 bones of the canine skeletal system, 15 muscles, basic canine hydrotherapy, a full canine stretching routine with range of motion which you will integrate into the full-body canine relaxation massage, as well as pre-event and post-event routines for your dog, the canine athlete.

• Canine Massage Therapy Level 1: 100 hours
  
  • Cost: $450/Module for Modules 1-3. Module 4 is FREE! Total cost is $1,350 + books
  • Hours: 100 (NCBTMB approved for LMTs & OPEN to the GENERAL PUBLIC)
  • Instructor: Jenifer Funk or TBA
  • Upcoming Dates: (8:00-6:00 pm, day 1, 9:00-6:00 pm, days 2 & 3)
    • Level 1 - Module 1 - TBA 2020
    • Level 1 - Module 2 - TBA 2020
    • Level 1 - Module 3 - TBA 2020
    • Level 1 - Module 4 - Internship - 12 months to complete - where you live
  • Location: Sarasota, FL
  • Pre-Requisite: Learn to Massage Your Dog or equivalent 15 hours (+) training
  • Overview: The 100 Hour, Canine Massage Therapy Training Level 1 program is broken down into 4 modules of 25 hours each. The modules must be taken in order and successful completion of each module is a requirement to proceed to the next module. This is the foundational massage therapy training when it comes to learning dog massage and graduates of the Level 1 training will have the knowledge and skills to open their own Canine Massage Therapy practice, depending on the state of residence.
  • Minimum Number of Participants: A minimum of 4 participants is required and a maximum of 15 participants will be accepted.
  • Required Book Package for Levels 1 & 2 Canine Massage Training Program:
    • "Canine Medical Massage: Techniques and Clinical Applications", Narda G. Robinson
    • "Guide to the Dissection of the Dog", 7th Edition (preferred) or 8th Edition, Evans & DeLahunta
    • "The Dog Anatomy Workbook: A Guide to the Canine Body", Andrew Gardiner and Maggie Raynor
    • "Balance Your Dog: Canine Massage", C. Sue Furman
    • Abundant Life Massage Education Binder (you will receive a .pdf emailed to you to print off OR you may pay $50, which "word on the street" is that this is a great deal since it is several hundred pages long!)
  • Module 1 - see dates above
    • In this 25 hour module, you will learn the Origin of Dogs, Canine Communications, Anatomy and Physiology (including anatomical directions, terminology, skeletal system/bones & joints, muscular system/the muscles of the forelimb), Special Populations/Palliative Care (including death & dying), Massage Benefits (including advanced indications, contraindications, & when to refer to a veterinarian), Palpation Exercises, Advanced Full Body Canine Massage Techniques (including review of basic massage strokes: effleurage, petrissage, skin rolling, compression, kneading, muscle squeezing, friction, vibration, and laying on of hands).
  • Module 2 - see dates above
    • In this 25 hour module, you will learn Anatomy & Physiology (including Breeds & Conformation, the muscles of the hindlimb, the Systems of the body and how massage affects those systems), Kinesiology (including how to identify normal gait/movement and gait analysis for abnormal movement), Pathology (including pathologies affecting gait, common issues affecting breeds, common canine diseases and medications), and Integrating Assessment (gait analysis) & Therapeutic Massage Techniques (scar tissue massage/compensatory muscles) into a Full Body Canine Massage.
  • Module 3 - see dates above
    • In this 25 hour module, you will learn Anatomy & Physiology (the muscles of the neck, trunk, and tail), Kinesiology (including movements specific to canine athletes), Hydrotherapy Treatments for the Canine (including uses of ice & heat, and when pool hydrotherapy might be indicated), Sports Massage Techniques, Allied Modalities (including aromatherapy/Canine Raindrop Technique, nutrition, Reiki/energy work, Puppy and Prenatal Massage Techniques, Scope of Practice, SOAP Notes and Record-Keeping, Practice Management (including ethics, client communications, and marketing).
  • Module 4 - NOTE: This internship is done wherever you live.
    • In this 25 hour internship you will be required to submit a binder, with materials provided for you, showing:
      • First Aid/CPR for Small Animals certificate
      • Documentation of Case Studies treating two different dogs with different pathologies for a minimum of 5 treatments per dog
      • Documentation of Canine Massage Therapy treatments on 10 different canines
      • A Lecture Presentation /Demonstration about Canine Massage Therapy to a minimum of 5 attendees
      • Documentation of 15 complimentary canine massages at a Health and Wellness or Dog Show/Competition

• Canine Massage Therapy Level 2: 100 hours
  
  • Cost: $450/Module for Modules 1-3. Module 4 is FREE! Total cost is $1,350
  • Hours: 100 (NCBTMB approved for LMTs & OPEN to the GENERAL PUBLIC)
  • Instructor: Jenifer Funk or TBA
  • Upcoming Dates: TBA 2020
  • Location: Sarasota, FL
  • Pre-Requisite: Learn to Massage Your Dog or equivalent 15 hours (+) training & Canine Massage Therapy Level 1. Exception: If you have 100 hours from another NCBTMB or IAAMB approved school, please contact us – we are happy to have you take the second 100 hours of training through us!
  • Overview: The 100 Hour, Canine Massage Therapy Training Level 2 program is broken down into 4 modules. Modules 1, 2, and 3 are hands’ on “live” classes and are 25 hours each.  Module 4 has two options which may be completed at any time after you start Module 1 of Level 2.  
  • L2: Module 1 - TBA - check back for classes in 2019
    • In this 25 hour module, the focus is on Anatomy & Physiology (review of 60 muscles of the canine muscular system, review directions and systems, review bones and joints, more in-depth bones and joints, advanced terminology) and Neuromuscular Therapy for Canines (review massage treatments and techniques specific to each treatment, trigger point work, friction, in-depth palpation, problem areas for dogs).
  • L2: Module 2 - TBA - check back for classes in 2019
    • In this 25 hour module, the focus is on Anatomy & Physiology (origin/insertion/action of 20 additional muscles and more in-depth systems of the body), Advanced Hydrotherapy, Case Studies/Treatments/Outcomes, and Vision Boards.
  • L2: Module 3 - TBA - check back for classes in 2019
    • In this 25 hour module, you will review Gait Analysis and Movement, Pathology (review pathology affecting gait, in-depth pathologies affecting breeds, effects of surgery/treatments on joints, muscles, and fascia), Advanced Marketing Techniques (including website presence and other business tools), as well as Review for the NBCAAM.
  • L2: Module 4
    • In this 25 hour internship you will be required to submit a binder showing:
      • Option 1 is documentation of the creation and implementation of a basic canine massage therapy course for dog owners. 
      • Option 2 is completing a 25-hour “teacher assistant” experience in a Learn to Massage Your Dog class through Abundant Life Massage Education.

NOTE #1: Trained massage therapy demo dogs are provided for you to massage and practice on in class but if you have a dog that “plays well with others” and can happily be in a crate, please give us a call so we can determine if it would fit into our “pack” to be included in the class.

NOTE #2: Canine massage courses ARE NCBTMB approved, which the FL Board of Massage, by law, says it approves, however, the Board has indicated it approves all courses EXCEPT courses related to animal massage.

*Per the NBCAAM Website: “Massage or acupressure training for humans may count for a maximum of 50 hours of the required 200 hour total. Such human training is required to be topic-specific, that is massage or acupressure techniques, Anatomy & Physiology, meridian theory or acupoint energetics, for example. The remaining 150 hours of massage or acupressure training or equivalent must be animal related.”

**Class Locations are determined by the number of registrants per class. We limit class sizes from 4 – 15 students, depending on the class, but have several locations to best accommodate different class sizes and content. All classes are held in Sarasota, FL unless requests are made to bring our training to your location.

Cancellation Policies for ALL Classes:
If you need to cancel your registration for a class more than one week before the start date of the class, the entire tuition, minus $50, will be refunded. You may apply the refunded amount to a later training.

If you need to cancel your registration for a class within one week of the start date of the class, no refund will be given. Your spot has been reserved specifically for you and if you cancel, it could possibly result in not enough students to hold the class.

If you paid for onsite lodging and need to cancel your registration for a class, onsite lodging costs will only be refunded if another registrant signs up for the onsite lodging. Students have often been turned away for onsite lodging because it is already full.

If WE need to cancel a class due to not reaching the minimum number of students or unforeseen difficulties, you may receive a full refund or we can apply any payments made to a future class.

Oncology Massage Training

Oncology Massage: Compassionate Touch for Clients Living with Cancer*

* Note: this class is open to all LMTs and also to Massage Therapy students with instructor approval.

• Cost: $425, $200 if you have taken this class previously 
• Hours: 24 (NCBTMB/FL Board approved for LMTs - fulfills the hands-on, live, in-classroom requirement for the FL Board)   
• Instructor: Jenifer Funk 
• Upcoming Dates: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm each day 
  • TBA 2020
• Location: Sarasota, FL  
• Overview: In this 24 hour class, you will learn how to safely work on clients who have or had cancer, indications and contraindications, how cancer spreads, cancer treatments, and their side-effects, post-mastectomy scar-tissue work, disease, and treatment-related adjustments, as well as have the opportunity to work in a clinical setting on a person who is currently undergoing treatments for cancer or is in remission. Upon successful completion of this class, you will have mastered the skills necessary to integrate these techniques into your massage treatments immediately.