Dog Massage Therapy

[delbel]

Hi, I'm thinking of doing a Dog Physiotherapy Massage course which is going to cost loads and take 2 years to do. Once qualified I will work as a private practicioner where the owner will bring their dog to me for a fee.

Is there is market for this......if your dog was hurt in an accident, had an operation or had arthuritis would you pay someone to do this kind of thing.....is all the time/money/hard work going to be worth it?

Any thoughts welcome......................I will also do work with dog charities etc.

Thanks
ps. not quite sure how much to charge, I suppose £30 per session or a bulk buy...?

[squarebear]

Sorry but I can't see anyone would make use of such a nonsense service.

[brenda]

I think it is a service that some will use , but bearing in mind that we are in a recession and that money is very tight , you may find that a massage for a pet is low on a list of family priorities.Also many pets are already being abandoned due to the cost of their normal upkeep. You need to think very carefully indeed before making a commitment to an expensive course.Sorry not to be more positive.

[kita1]

By law in the UK you are only allowed to 'treat' any animal via veterinary referral.

Because of this most treatments would be covered by the insurance.

I would suppose that the place you are taking the course would advise you on prices to charge.

[lankeela]

This is not a service that most pet owners would want, but certainly anyone who does agility or flyball, racing (greyhounds or huskies), heelwork to music and even showing often have their dogs treated. The main problem you will find is getting known, as most people have their own 'physio' and some people travel miles to the top ones. I use a lady who does Reiki on my dogs and have taken them to her if they seem to be in any sort of pain. One of my dogs is quite clumsy and sometimes runs into the others, putting their backs out of sync or similar injuries, and she does about a half hour session, just gently manipulating their muscles along the back and neck and they come out feeling much better. Will try to find a link. McTimoney is another type of treatment. As for cost I only pay £10 per session, so you are not going to get rich from me. I would suggest you start by joining some dog training clubs and go from there. Advertise in catalogues of breed shows, or maybe in the dog papers/magazines.

[lankeela]

http://www.mctimoney-...bout_Our_Courses.html

[lankeela]

http://www.reikipets.com/reiki.htm

[lankeela]

http://www.backcare.o...he-McTimoney-way.html

[icemaiden]

I massage my own dogs. I am not qualified,It's free, creates a nice bond with them and they love it. To the point that they fall asleep. I also massage the area where one of mine had a hip op back in October. I feel he gets some benefit from it as he isn't as stiff afterwards.
I personally wouldn't pay.

[lankeela]

http://www.theicat.co.uk/courses.htm

£400 for a three day course? I would rather pay a tenner a time for someone else to do it.

[icemaiden]

Not only £400 for a three day course but then you are let loose on numerous animals! Surely the art of anything would take more than 3 days to learn.

I was sent on a three day course once when I was 18 so that I could sell horse wormers from a well known pet shop. Walked away with a certificate, forgot everything I knew within days! These things take years to learn surely?

[delbel]

Thanks for all the comments. I do agree that it is expensive to train and it looks like there isn't a market for it, so will give it a miss.

[wolf63]

Good luck in whatever you do decide to do.

Susan
Personal Massager and Groomer to two felines.

[lankeela]

Why not consider dog grooming? There is always a need for this and you could either work for someone, or set up your own salon at home or a mobile one. As most of the work is done on 'pets' (as opposed to the fancy trimming that show dogs have) you tend to do a basic training course and learn as you go on. As with all animal related jobs though you need a good grounding in handling animals and working with them.

[wolf63]

Do you get cat groomers or is that too dangerous? Or is it just my long haired cat who is dangerous. Slasher is her nickname.