Massage for the Anxious Canine

Course introduction:
We've designed this course specifically for the pet parents or care givers of emotionally-challenged dogs.  The modality of massage can be instrumental in reducing anxiety, stress, and fear in our pets.  Consider implementing this at-home skill for shelter rescues, foster dogs, puppy mill survivors or just the "high-stress" dog.

At-home massage can be used for numerous situations and animal life-styles such as: 

• Facilitating family unit/human-animal bonding
• Encouraging positive associations with touch
• Alleviating habitual stress/fear postures
• Adjunct to behavior modification training
• Relieving muscle tension or discomfort that may be influencing anxiety or stress.

Register here

Classroom time: 2 classroom hours 
​Cost: $86 USD 
Biosecurity:

• Class sizes are small
• Masks are worn inside the building at all times​

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Pre-requisites:

• Education & experience: None
• Age: At least 18 years of at time of enrollment​​​​

Required supplies: 

• Note-taking supplies (pen & paper)​

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Curriculum:
This class will focus on recognizing and dealing with stress and anxiety in our canine companion animals.  We have worked to bring you a training course that will provide pet parents with immediately-applicable, basic massage techniques and massage routines specific for the anxious canine family-member.
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This course will cover the following topics:

• Physiology of canine fear
• Physiology of stress
• Recognizing stress in a canine
• Role of massage in the human-animal bond

• Canine handling & safety
• Massage strokes for calming and connection
• Using touch in behavior modification
  

Resources:
Resources that are discussed further in class. 
Please feel free to print these in advance and bring to class if useful for your learning style.

​Endocannabinoid System (ECS) Assessment Sheet

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Upcoming classes:

There are currently no Massage for the Anxious Canine workshops scheduled.
If you need help with massage for your feline housemate - please reach out for a private 1:1 session with Dr. Andre. ​

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Our Instructors:
​Our instructors are veterinarians, technicians, and animal massage therapists eager to share their knowledge and love of animal massage with you.  In addition to expertise in their field, they bring a passion for utilizing massage as a healing modality throughout all animal life-stages and lifestyles. Meet our instructors.