FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does it mean to be a nationally certified small animal massage practitioner?
Animal massage is a relatively young but growing profession with varying degrees of regulation depending on where you’re located. The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) was founded in 2011 to bridge the gaps between different requirements across states and set high standards for our profession, meaning that pet parents like you can feel confident in choosing from a group of highly trained and committed massage and acupressure practitioners.
What is the veterinarian approval form and why is it required?
The Texas Administrative Code for the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is a set of rules and definitions that governs the practice of veterinary medicine in Texas. Part of this code includes definitions and requirements regarding alternative and complementary therapies, such as massage and manual bodywork. The act states that non-veterinarians may practice alternative and complementary therapies but must first obtain “indirect supervision” from the animal’s current veterinarian. In accordance with this rule, the animal’s guardian must acknowledge their understanding that massage is considered a complementary therapy, while the animal’s veterinarian affirms that they believe it to be safe for the animal to receive massage. (See here for exact wording.)
What’s the difference between alternative and complementary therapies?
Alternative therapies are services, supplements, or products that claim to replace conventional veterinary medicine, while complementary therapies are used alongside veterinary medicine. Massage therapy is a wonderful complementary therapy that can help manage pain, improve symptoms of musculoskeletal problems, and promote relaxation for improved mood. Massage is not an alternative to veterinarian prescribed medication, surgery, or rehabilitative therapy, and I will refer guardians back to their veterinarian for follow-ups regarding concerns that are beyond my scope of practice.
Do I need to be home for my animal’s massage?
I prefer guardians be present and nearby for the first visit, as I typically have more background information to gather and may need your assistance in recording a video of your animal walking for gait analysis. For follow-up visits, you’re welcome to stay nearby, leave the room, or even not be at home at all.
Can my other dogs or cats be present?
It depends on each animal and their relationships with the others. I don’t personally mind having other animals around and usually, after some initial excitement, they will end up relaxing nearby. As long as the animal receiving massage isn’t being bothered or their ability to relax hindered, it should be fine.
How often should my animal have a massage?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to massage. That said, I typically recommend the first three or four sessions be weekly, as this helps build a trusting relationship between myself and the animal, as well as give us a good chance to set and maintain progress on specific goals. After the initial few visits, some animals will benefit from continuing weekly visits, while others may do well with sessions on a 4-to-6 week schedule. I offer packages of five visits at a discounted rate to help make laying this beneficial foundation more accessible.
Can you show me how to massage my dog?
Absolutely! Short daily massages (or even just a few times per week if that’s all you have time for) can be a great way to maintain the benefits of regular professional massages between visits. It’s also a great opportunity to check-in with your animal on a regular basis, become familiar with what is normal for their body, and potentially catch problems in their earliest stages.