pet massage ethics/laws

[Elrick]

is there any compiled information about whether or not a person who does pet massage need be a licensed people massage therapist?

i'm in florida, but was asking in general too.

 

[G-man]

That is a very sticky question. There are currently no state laws that regulate animal massage. Although, I think Washington state has some sort of legislation in place. There are many Veterinarians that are of the opinion though that massage therapy falls under their practice, and to practice animal massage any other way would be a felony.

I have had heated discussions with the FL Board of Vet Med regarding this issue. And, it is true that some Veterinarians are trying to keep their profession from referring out for any kind of complementary therapies, even acupuncture and chiropractic.

Both ABMP and AMTA cover animal massage with proof of certification.

I learned equine massage by apprenticing while in human massage school, and then got certified in canine massage from a program in Ohio. One of the reasons I chose this particular school was because it offered national ce credit. But the truth is, most of these programs are geared to pet owners, not massage therapists. These certification courses were created by people - massage therapist animal lovers - just like you and me. A lot of their teaching centers on massage theory and strokes, not animal anatomy & physiology, pathology, biomechanics of the particular animal, or animal behavior. And, these programs are not inexpensive. There are very few programs available where one needs to be a human massage therapist, pt, vet tech, or vet as a prerequisite for enrolling.

In Florida, I was offering canine massage classes at a local Tech School, as well as, my Vet's office. Both Vets there approved my work, so I felt very lucky to have their support.

My recommendation would be to apprentice, or create your own routine. Invest your hard earned money, effort, and time into gathering as many resources as you can for learning the animal inside and out, and take available behavior courses, etc. Volunteer at the local SPCA or Humane Society. Shelter animals need this work!

Here is a link to a compilation of states and their animal massage law, according to IAAMB (looks like it was last updated in 2003): http://www.iaamb.org/Newsletters/StateLawcharNov2003.htm

Are you interested in all pet massage? There is a great equine program near Ocala. Let me know if you're interested and I'll post the link.

 

[Maegen]

Additional link

Here is a link to the Yahoo! group: AVMA Antidote Lobby Group. It is a very knowledgeable group of people fighting for their rights to work on animals.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/AVMAantidote/

(From the front page)

This International group was formed initially, as a forum to allow discussions between animal owners and natural therapists who worked with animals. It was also a platform to inform and oppose legislative restrictions, anywhere in the world, that would restrict animal owners choices and is united to preserve our freedom of work and free choice.

Currently, but not restricted to, we are sharing ideas and information to stop the AVMA from 'approving' their new 'guidelines' and trying to have them passed into law.

These guidelines are outlined at http://www.avma.org/education/mvpa/default.asp
http://www.avma.org/education/mvpa/mvpa_commentary.pdf

Welcome, JOIN with us NOW!

Members from this group are welcome to submit information sites that provide information on your options.

Its for the Animals -
http://itsfortheanimals.com/AVMADFT.HTM

The AHAA has volunteered to collect copies of everyone's AVMA comment letters so they do not get misplaced. http://www.ancienthealingarts.org/vets-1-03.htm

IAATH http://www.iaath.com

If Your Horse Could Talk. We will be posting a special internet webcast on the AVMA Proposal. I'll be chatting with Craig Denega for his view and hopefully with Mary Ann Simmonds. We are hoping to have this produced and available on my site, http://www.naturalhorsetalk.com

 

[the world of danger]

Many thanks for the great links, Intuitouch.

 

[~o~]

that's great info!

thanks intuitouch and massage hound

 

[prettygirlnmd]

links

You are both very welcome.

 

[funnyarmor]

I learned equine massage by apprenticing while in human massage school, and then got certified in canine massage from a program in Ohio. One of the reasons I chose this particular school was because it offered national ce credit.

If you don't mind my asking, where was this program in ohio? Sounds interesting.

 

[Glorio]

Pet Massage Programs in Ohio

Hi klauss...I took the one in Toledo (PetMassage), there is also another one in Circleville (Integrated Touch Therapy). Both offer CEUs.

 

[Tay B]

Here is a link to a compilation of states and their animal massage law, according to IAAMB (looks like it was last updated in 2003): http://www.iaamb.org/Newsletters/StateLawcharNov2003.htm

Looks like this list has been updated: http://iaamb.org/reference/state-laws-2005.html

 

[Billgun]

As for NY, you must be a Vet Tech in order to perform massage on animals. But in NJ there is no restriction. My school offers the class once a year, but it didn't seem as if it was worth the money, because it wouldn't be something I would practice on other than my dog...

 

[jplatt39]

proposed AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act

http://www.ancienthealingarts.org/vets-1-03.htm

Very interesting article - from Ancient Healing Arts Association - regarding the proposed AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act from 12/2002.

 

[HisPrincess]

Interesting animal massage articles from massagetherapy.com: http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/409

The Vet's Perspective
Are some veterinarians resisting the massage movement because they fear infringement on their turf, or is it just a lack of awareness? For the most part, the holistic veterinary movement has emphasized acupuncture and chiropractic medicine, leaving massage out in the cold. Dr. Susan Wynn of Marietta, Ga., specializing in animal acupuncture and herbs, suggests several reasons for this. "Acupuncture and chiropractic were introduced in schools earlier and are more familiar to doctors," she said. "They're more dramatic. I can get an (acupuncture) effect in 10 minutes. Veterinarians are used to people demanding results quickly. Massage takes time, money and effort."

Holistic veterinarian Dr. Robert Silver, of Boulder, Colo., concurs with the time factor. "There's a lot of overhead in vet practice and it's hard to get it served even by acupuncture or chiropractic." But Silver does refer out for massage, saying his clinic space is too small to accommodate an in-house therapist. He recommends massage as an integral part of animal care for treating problems, rehabilitation and recovery, and maintaining wellness. Pointing out a recent veterinary article on cancer care in which massage is listed as an appropriate modality, he said in terminal cases, massage can be very beneficial for diminishing aches and pains. "It's a very bonding experience for the owner," he adds. "I give out handbooks on massage and encourage owners to do it themselves." Silver suggests the current growth in holistic animal care is in part due to the veterinarians. "Vets themselves are humans who work too much and develop ailments better served through complementary procedures. Many have sought out alternative therapy for their own health and in the process gained a new perspective."

According to Dr. Jan Facinelli, another factor of influence is research. Facinelli is an avid supporter of massage, chiropractic and acupuncture, and includes them in her Denver practice. She noted that veterinarians want scientific proof documented by their associates rather than laymen. "If it's not standard, scientific proof, they're not going to give it credence. When benefits are documented, then truth will speak for itself," she said. "We want to make sure it does no harm."

Oregon energy practitioner Dr. Donna Starita is chairperson of IAATH. "What we're seeing over and over is lack of awareness and education," she said. "I try to help vets understand what I'm doing." She encourages a relationship of mutual respect between vet and therapist. If your are taking your pet to a veterinarian and a massage therapist, it's important to keep both informed of the treatment protocols of each practitioner.

Who's Qualified
The 2001 guidelines on complementary and alternative therapies established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) do not specifically address the use of massage by a non-veterinarian therapist, as did the 1996 version that required supervision and referral from the treating practitioner. Rather, there is a broad encompassing of CAM modalities to be used at the discretion of the individual veterinarian. Within that directive comes caution that the safety and effectiveness of the treatment "should be proven by scientific method." Dr. Craig Smith of AVMA headquarters explained the basic premise of the new policy: "Medicine is medicine and regardless of what treatment is being used, the same basic principles should apply." The veterinarian conducts an exam, establishes a diagnosis and consults with the owner to decide on a course of action. "If that animal can benefit from those modalities, the vet has the right to seek it out. They also have the responsibility to follow up and monitor the animal's progress, in that they are not providing the treatment." They are also responsible for abiding by the state regulations, all of which are accommodated by the flexibility of the guidelines. The individual is encouraged to use a combination of their knowledge and experience to make a decision. However, Smith stated, "We still think that animals receive the best care when a veterinarian is involved in that care."

Animal massage is on the cusp of becoming mainstream. The success of each case brings visibility and validation to the practice, and with each new well-trained, dedicated and passionate massage therapist entering the field, there is movement forward.

 

[StyncKeyncBot]

IAATH - Legislative Updates

IAATH - International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing - has some Legislative Updates (developments and pending legislation) regarding veterinarians and allied animal healthcare practitioners. Info regarding Florida and Texas. Link for updates, click HERE.

There is also a link at the bottom of the page to Coalition of Natural Heatlh. They are lobbying in every state for both animal and human health care rights.

 

[Hina Jamil]

Utah Animal Massage Law

Utah: Standards for Animal Massage Training: see R156-47b-601 (page 3 of 4)

 

[Reba]

Kentucky Animal Massage Legalities

***Also, see another Animal Therapies thread regarding a Legalities point of view...specifically from Admin of the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.