• Pet massage can aleviate stress and depression in dogs.dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
  
  Just as a massage can wipes away stress and muscle aches in people, a massage can be a powerful healer for animals. Pet owners for whom their animals are their children may consider the benefits that animal massages can offer their pets. Posh pet boarding facilities and spas often offer animal massage therapy. However, pet owners can learn animal massage therapy by taking a class. Below are just some of the many programs available across the country.
  
  

Boulder College of Massage Therapy

• The Boulder College of Massage Therapy offers a 100-hour canine massage certificate program, as well as a one-day beginner's course in canine massage for those who simply want to learn the fundamentals. The programs, offer hands-on instruction in massage techniques and acupressure.
  
  Boulder College of Massage Therapy
  6255 Longbow Dr.
  Boulder, CO 80301
  303-530-2100
  bcmt.org/
  
  

Integrated Touch Therapy

• Integrated Touch Therapy provides hands-on massage and bodywork courses to teach various massage and touch modalities. Classes focus on increasing animals' relaxation and decreasing stress. It's website stresses that students enjoy a small student-to-teacher ratio so that students receive highly individualized instruction.
  
  Integrated Touch Therapy
  P.O. Box 652
  Circleville, OH 43113
  800-251-0007
  integratedtouchtherapy.com
  
  

Massage Awareness Inc.

• Massage Awareness offers a wide variety of animal massage therapy classes, from in-person seminars to home-study courses. They also offer books and videos on the topic, for those who want to teach themselves.
  
  Massage Awareness Inc.
  11924 Forest Hill Blvd.
  Suite 22-102
  Wellington, FL 33414
  561-383-8205
  massageawareness.com
  
  

Northwest School of Animal Massage

• Northwest School of Animal Massage has a comprehensive course catalog and offers various tracks of study, including large animal and small animal massage. In addition to offering certificate programs, it offers short, one- or two-day seminars for pet owners wishing to learn the fundamentals of pet massage.
  
  Northwest School of Animal Massage
  P.O. Box 670
  Fall City, WA 98024
  877-836-3703
  nwsam.com
  
  

Pet Massage, Ltd.

• Pet Massage, Ltd. offers animal massage training for both animal care specialists and individual pet owners. Classes are available on-site and through home-study courses. Like Integrated Touch Therapy, the Pet Massage website stresses that participants get to extensive teacher interaction.
  
  Pet Massage, Ltd.
  3347 McGregor Lane
  Toledo, OH 43623
  800-779-1001
  PetMassage.com