PetMassage Paw Prints

Anastasia and Jonathan Rudinger were invited to lead a PetMassage workshop in Angers, France by our graduate, Pauline Arnt. Pauline has created her own school, Massage Canin and association, Chien-Zen. She is very serious about establishing and maintaining the highest standards of practice in this, the first canine massage school in France.

So in the middle of January, 2010, in Angers, France, we held a two-day workshop. Students came from all over France; Brittany, Paris, Nice and Toulouse, as well as several from the Angers region. The press were invited and interviewed Pauline and Jonathan for stories that were in local news media (papers and online) that weekend.

This was the article in French, then translated to English (original French follows):

1st Meeting: PetMassage Training and Research Institute and Association Chien-Zen – 14 and 15 January, 2010

Do you know canine massage?

The association “Chien-Zen”, the French Federation of Francophone and Canine Massage and Pauline Arnt are pleased to announce the arrival for the first time in France by Jonathan Rudinger, which will host a conference on canine massage at the School for Dogs * blind guides of Angers.

Jonathan Rudinger is a leader in canine massage in the United States.

For nearly 20 years, he has helped provide relief to dogs consistent with and complementary to veterinary care.

His school the “PetMassage Training & Research Institute” located in Toledo, Ohio, has existed for 10 years. Also in collaboration with veterinarians, he conducts studies on the benefits of massage on working dogs, old dogs, or simply for comfort and well being well-being of the dog daily.

Like humans, massage provides many benefits such as, accelerate the cardiovascular circulation, relieve muscle mass, drain and relax.

If you are already in the dog world, educators, breeders, behaviorists, groomers … or simply concerned about the welfare of your daily pet we give you appointments 14 and January 15, 2010.

Programme: Lecture and Workshops

- Day of January 14, 2010 is exclusively dedicated to Interns Zen Dog

- Thursday, January 14, 2010: 9h30 – 10h 30

. . Jonathan Rudinger: Presentation of the school in the U.S., education, project ….

- Thursday, January 14, 2010: 11am – 12.30pm

. . Jonathan Rudinger: The benefits of canine massage

- Thursday, January 14, 2010: 14h – 16h00

. . Jonathan Rudinger: Workshop and courses for trainees “Zen Dog” Level I and Level II

-Thursday, January 14, 2010: 16h30 – 18h00

. . Demonstration, discussion and synthesis

- Friday, January 15, 2010: 9:30 to 10:30

. . Jonathan Rudinger: Conference all public

- Friday, January 15, 2010: 11:00 to 12:30

. .Jonathan Rudinger – Conference all age groups, initiation

- Friday, January 15, 2010: 14h – 16h

. .Jonathan Rudinger – Pauline Arnt: Debate, discussion, practical demonstration of canine massage
Chien-Zen. .

* For reasons of hygiene and safety, dogs visitors are not allowed

For more information, please download the registration form on the link

www.pauline-arnt.com/blog or contact Pauline Arnt 01.46.59.07.31 pauline.arnt @ gmail.com
While we were preparing for the event, Pauline shared with me that the most pressing issue for her French students is their impatience and rush to get through the massage. So, we used the workshop to get them to slow down; to understand how their presence and awareness not only enhances the value of an animal’s massage, it makes value possible.
Jonathan led the students through breathing exercises, Chi Gung movements and they were shown how, when they wait and observe, their dogs will clearly indicate when to move on, and where and with what pressure, direction, and rate they should continue the massage. Jonathan and Anastasia thank Pauline, Camille, the interpreter, Hans and his staff at the facility where the workshop was held, the Association “Les Chiens Guides d’Aveugles de L’Ouest” (Guide Dogs for the Blind of Ile de France) www.chiens-guides-ouest.org and the students who were so welcoming. Dog people are dog people, wherever they are. These folks were like dog lovers everywhere: kind, generous, open, caring, appreciative, understanding, eager to learn, and most accommodating to two people who speak no French. Oh, and in France, of course they were all very stylish in dress and behavior.
Pauline, left, makes Jonathan an Honorary member of the Zen Dogs Association.

The activities of the Association “Les Chiens Guides d’Aveugles de L’Ouest” are breeding, education and delivery free of charge of guide dogs to visually impaired persons mainly in the Western part of France.

The lecture was delivered through an interpreter, Camille, who shared with me that previous to this event, he had no idea how powerful canine massage could be and how its practice could affect the canine massage practitioner. He was delighted to have gleaned a lot of self-help content that he could use in his own life.
Black is the favorite color in France…even when accessorized with white Labrador retriever hair.
Hands-on practice during workshop – this student was from Toulouse, FR. The shepherd, I would suppose, is German
This student was also one of the trainers and handlers at the Association “Les Chiens Guides d’Aveugles de L’Ouest.” She has beautiful, powerful, callused, working hands.

Lecture was given in a large room with more than twenty students in attendance.
As Jonathan demonstrates on one of the service dogs in training, Pauline Arnt, guides the hands of a man who is totally blind. I wish you could have seen the smile on his face when he felt fascia shift.
Class photo, Anastasia, in her bright blue jacket, stood out wherever she went.

For Jonathan, the most amazing thing about visiting Europe is the sense of history, really far back history. The closest he has ever felt to touching the past in the US was tripping on the cobblestones in Boston in front of the Commons, or walking the same bricked paths that Benjamin Franklin walked in Philadelphia. These would have been from the16-17th century AD. The workshop was in Angers, France. Let’s learn a little about Angers.

Angers is a city in the Maine-et-Loire department in north-western France about 300 km (190 mi) south-west of Paris. Angers is located in the French region known by its pre-revolutionary, provincial name, Anjou, and its inhabitants are called Angevins.

Angers proper has a population of 157,000 inhabitants, while c. 283,000 live in its metropolitan area. The city traces its roots to early Roman times. It occupies both banks of the Maine, which is spanned by six bridges. The district along the river is famous for its flourishing nurseries and market gardens. It is well known for its fresh produce and cut flowers.

Angers has some really ancient history. The first sign of human presence on the site of Angers is a stone tool dated back to 400,000 BC (Lower Paleolithic). The earliest known inhabitants were the Andecavi, a Gallic tribe that was overrun by the Romans. The city, while under Roman rule, was called Juliomagus

The Council of Angers was held here in 453.

The city suffered severely from the invasions of the Vikings (in 845 and succeeding years)

Angers was once the capital of the historic province of Anjou. Beginning in the ninth century, the region was controlled by a powerful family of feudal lords. It is the cradle of the House of Plantagenet who ruled England from the twelfth century and gave name to the Angevin Kings of England. During this time the Hospital of Saint-Jean was built in Angers by King Henry II of England. The edifice still stands to this day, now housing an important museum. In 1204 Angers was conquered by King Philippe II.

The Huguenots took it in 1585, (Boston MA was established in 1634) and the Vendean royalists were defeated nearby in 1793 during the siege of Angers. Until the French Revolution Angers was the seat of a celebrated university founded in the 14th century.

We stopped at a hotel coffee shop in the town center, across the street from the train station. The friendly young woman who was our waiter and bartender wore a long apron over her dark jeans that fell to her ankles, a brightly colored brow band; her tattoos covered her upper arms. She had pierced eyebrows and wore a t-shirt that promoted a local band. Just a little local color FYI. We ordered Heineken beer and coffee. French coffee is espresso, in little cups, usually served slightly warmer than room temperature, with sugar cubes wrapped in paper and a small piece of dark chocolate. Cream is not customarily offered. I had to request it. Then they’d smile, saying “Ahh, Café Américain!”

This is the French version of Pauline’s article:

Connaissez-vous le massage canin ?

L’association “Chien-Zen”, la Fédération Française et Francophone de Massage Canin et Pauline Arnt sont heureux de vous annoncer la venue pour la première fois en France de Jonathan Rudinger qui animera une conférence sur le massage canin à l’Ecole des Chiens guides d’aveugles* d’ANGERS.

Jonathan Rudinger est le précurseur du massage canin aux Etats-Unis.

Depuis près de 20 ans, il aide et soulage des chiens en accord avec les vétérinaires et en complément des soins.

Son école la “PetMassage Training & Research Institut” située à Toledo dans l’Ohio, existe depuis 10 ans. Toujours en collaboration avec des vétérinaires, il réalise des études sur les bienfaits du massage, sur les chiens qui travaillent, les vieux chiens ou simplement pour le confort et le bien être bien-être du chien au quotidien.

Comme pour les humains, le massage apporte de nombreux bienfaits comme, accélérer la circulation cardio vasculaire, soulager la masse musculaire, drainer et relaxer.

Si vous êtes déjà dans le monde canin, éducateurs, éleveurs, comportementalistes, toiletteurs… ou simplement concernez par le bien être au quotidien de votre animal de compagnie nous vous donnons rendez vous les 14 et 15 janvier 2010.

Programme : Conférence et Ateliers

- la journée du 14 janvier 2010 est exclusivement dédiée aux Stagiaires Chien-Zen

- Jeudi 14 janvier 2010 : 9h30 – 10h 30

. Jonathan Rudinger : Présentation de l’école aux Etats Unis, enseignement, projet….

- Jeudi 14 janvier 2010 : 11h – 12h30

. Jonathan Rudinger : Les bienfaits du massage canin

- Jeudi 14 janvier 2010 : 14h – 16h00

. Jonathan Rudinger : Atelier et cours aux stagiaires “Chien- Zen” niveau I et niveau II – Jeudi 14 janvier 2010 : 16h30 – 18h00

. Démonstration, discussion et synthèse

- Vendredi 15 janvier 2010 : 9h30- 10h30

. Jonathan Rudinger : Conférence tout public

- Vendredi 15 janvier 2010 : 11h00 – 12h30

. Jonathan Rudinger – Conférence tout public, initiation

- Vendredi 15 janvier 2010 : 14h – 16h

. Jonathan Rudinger – Pauline Arnt : Débat, discussion, démonstration pratique des masseurs canins
Chien-Zen.

* Pour raisons d’hygiène et de sécurité, les chiens des visiteurs ne sont pas acceptés

Pour avoir plus d’informations, vous pouvez télécharger le bulletin d’inscription sur le lien www.pauline-arnt.com/blog ou contacter Pauline Arnt 01.46.59.07.31 pauline.arnt@gmail.com

You’re invited to attend the PetMassage Foundation Workshop program at the PetMassage Training and Research Institute in Toledo OH.

Enjoy.

Jocko, the quiet and ever-present Standard Poodle, who many of you might recognize as one of the teaching assistants at the PetMassage school, gets a PetMassage from a young girl. 

It is a pretty little slide show with catchy original music “What do you do to do what you want to do?” from the audio CD, “PetMassage Doggie Songs for Kids”. music and lyrics by Jonathan Rudinger, performed by Toledo musician, Charlie Oswanski. The song itself is a lesson for kids about asking permission before touching a dog: animal handling and safety.

Enjoy.

Lola, our adorable little boxer, who many of you might recognize as one of the premiere teaching assistants at the PetMassage school and star of the video “In a Perfect World,” in which she learns to massage Anastasia, gets a PetMassage from a young girl.

She learns the value of touch and respect for space and canine body language. Catchy original music from the audio CD, “PetMassage Doggie Songs for Kids”. Performed by Toledo musician, Charlie Oswanski. The song itself is a lesson for kids about animal handling and safety.

Enjoy.

A friend of mine, a former two-time speaker at our IAAMB conferences and one of our more prominent IAAMB members, Maryjean Ballner, is going to be on the David Letterman Show on December 9th.

We wish her well with her TV appearance.

Maryjean has written the books “Dog Massage” and “Cat Massage” and is a respected authority in the field. I’m also very proud of the fact that Maryjean Ballner has endorsed my book, “Dogs Kids PetMassage.”

Here’s what Maryjean wrote:

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if children, especially your children, learned PetMassage? Kids’ confidence soar as the danger of dog biting or scratching diminish. Children/canine relationships are enhanced through enhanced touch.

With a gentle story-telling style, this book teaches safe, effective methods of PetMassage that can benefit all children and all dogs regardless of how familiar they may already be with each other.

Jonathan’s ideas on how to approach a dog, and touch in sequence, help transform basic petting into therapeutic massage. “Dog Kids PetMassage” creates a win-win for everyone!

-Maryjean Ballner, Author – “Dog Massage” & “Cat Massage”

You can learn more about Maryjean by visiting her website: www.catanddogmasage.com.

Jonathan

Jonathan and friend

One of the most obvious differences between PetMassage™ and standard veterinary interventions is the prolonged duration of time, attention and the awareness that is allowed during a session. A complete session usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. This would be alien to the usual medical, time-efficient, cost effective procedure. PetMassage™, although it does address the dog’s acute, present-time physical condition, its focus is on the long-term continuum of life condition, and quality of all aspects of the animal’s life. It takes time and patience to allow the strata of intuitive connections to layer one upon another, giving them the time and space they need to develop, percolate, and emote. As we stay alert and aware during each phase of the PetMassage™, we can soften our notice and take in more of the subtle cues that we are continuously receiving from our bodies, which we so often ignore. The more time we allow to actually experience our physiological responses, the better and more in-depth the feedback experience, so necessary for an effective session.

As we observe how our bodies are feeling and responding to the dog’s reactions to our touch and presence, we get a glimpse into the inner conversation we are having with our animals. We maintain a running intuitive level conversation with the intuitive language and understanding of the animals in our hands. We respond, observe, process, reorient and reconnoiter, and touch again, each time with more information, more direction, more intention. Each session has its unique dialogue. Each dialogue deepens as it evolves, progresses.

PetMassage™ elicits emotional, memorable, and physical responses from animals by combining various techniques and qualities of touch, with varying depths of pressure, rates of movement, and stroke direction. How can we claim this? Their nervous systems react to whatever they feel and to the referred areas of whatever is stimulated. The response is memories and experiencing the emotions and body patterns of learned behaviors. Animals may not know reflexology charts or Five Element Theory. They do know that their bodies feel pressure, temperature variations, and the presence that the Sympathetic NS interpolation that would indicate caring and supportive, destructive or angry, or dispassionate and distant. Dogs react spontaneously and consistently. They react to threats with their general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system, priming them for fighting or fleeing. This response, the first stage of a general adaptation syndrome regulates stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms. There is a range of responses. The more obvious ones are eye, ear and tail movement, raising of the hackles, and adjusting stance. More subtle, are the internal signaling that particular hormones need to be increased in the blood stream, to protect against a real or imaged threat, or to support a feeling of safety and affection.

Dogs read our moment to moment variations in our aromas just as they do when they interact with each other. Each variation in the endocrine balance shifts the quality and quantity of chemical discharge through sweat and anal glands.

Our responses to real or perceived dangers spontaneously softens or tightens our skin, fascia and muscles. They alter our pulse, respiration rates, blood pressure, and levels of pheromones and sweat. We humans may not have the abilities to smell what dogs smell. We can, with practice at being present, learn to observe our bodies.

As we are connecting with our PetMassage™ clients, we may notice a sensation of light headedness, a shift from centeredness in our bodies to feeling slightly out of alignment. We might feel gassy, burpy, crampy, worried, tired, lethargic. We might feel happy, giddy, excited. Our tummies might rumble and gurgle. The term for this is borborygmi, which sounds a bit like the sound you hear. A message that is sent to your stomach and intestines triggers muscle contractions and the release of acids and other digestive fluids — which causes the rumbling, grumbling sounds you hear — as your body prepares for you to eat. The thought, sight or smell of food also can trigger this response. (www.mayoclinic.com/health/stomach-noise/NU00189).

These are some of the changes and shifts that you may notice in your body. They are the indicators of the types of conversations that your intuitive, subconscious self is having with the animal. Maintaining a vigilant presence with yourself will support the inner healing and balancing work your dog is doing. The intensity and purity of your presence, or lack of same, makes or breaks your intuitive connections.

Even if you are unaware or have a block to being aware of your bodily functions, as it were, your presence still has a powerful influence on whatever is happening in your dog’s body. One of the parts of quantum theory that is becoming more and more accepted is that the act of simply observing a reaction influences the reaction. Being observant at whatever level, that is, being present, as a witness supports the PetMassage™ healing, resting, softening and/or comforting process.

Have you made up your mind to change your life? To create a business in which you can help animals and their owners? To make a difference in the vibrational energy of the planet by assisting animals and their people shift from fear, despair, pain, and negativity to joy, ease and actualization of the pursuit of the highest possible quality of life?

Learn PetMassage™

Learn PetMassage™ for Dogs to enhance your life and work. Affirmations are stated in a way that your goal is already completed. “I have completed my PetMassage™ Foundation workshop and have created a successful animal massage practice.” is much more powerful than “I want to enroll in a PetMassage workshop in 2011.” The second statement is not a valid affirmation. You can want something forever, without manifesting the action to make it so.

It is interesting to note that the two most sought after professions are veterinary medicine (it’s more difficult to get into vet school than medical school.) and PT, Physical Therapy. These are both long, difficult and expensive paths. Some universities are combining these two programs meeting the demand of students, and responding to the demands of animal guardians and their veterinary providers.

Many of our students have told us they would have liked to have been veterinarians but didn’t think they could be comfortable with blood and trauma and putting animals down. PetMassage™ offers a means of helping/assisting/facilitating dogs in a gentler, softer, non-invasive modality that, in its own way, also helps to restore balance, flexibility, circulation…in other words, body-mind-spirit wellness in dogs. The skills and practices students learn in our 7-day PetMassage™ Foundation workshop are compatible with every known form of animal healing and bodywork, including the newest innovations in veterinary medicine.

PetMassage™ teaches students to support the self-revelatory, self healing, intuitive abilities of dogs through the use of knowledgeable, compassionate touch, fascia releases, and the use of body-language communication. PetMassage™ workshops begin with validating the skills and life experiences students bring with them. Students learn specific PetMassage™ theory and techniques, practicing and refining their skills, hands-on, every day, with live dogs in the classroom. A module in the introduction to canine anatomy offers students a virtual understanding of the canine body beneath their fingers. A discussion of physiology systems from a Western medical model demonstrate how and why PetMassage™ has such powerful effects and influences. Concepts and variations of the practices of TCM are incorporated in PetMassage theory and practice. There are lively discussions about specific applications, contraindications, ethics, legal issues, scopes of practice, and marketing. The Foundation Workshop concludes with a full workshop review and final return demonstrations with instructor, Jonathan Rudinger, with personalized instruction and suggestions for further study.

These are a few of the benefits of PetMassage™ for Dogs

• Increases circulation of all the fluids in the body
• Increases flexibility
• Develops and maintains muscle tone 
• Helps relieve the effects of stiffness and joint discomfort
• Enhances bonding, especially with new adoptees from shelters 
• Helps dogs create and maintain a better quality of life
• “An essential of health care…like grooming, feeding and exercise.” –Healing Touch, Michael M. Fox, DVM

 Start with the 7-day PetMassage™ Foundation workshop. What’s in it?

The Seven-Day PetMassage™ Foundation Workshop is an excellent beginning to your hands-on learning experience. We acknowledge that no one can become an “expert” at anything in just seven days. However, this course is a good preparation to become adept at the basic skills of PetMassage™. Learn to help your own dogs and your client’s dogs. Train to create your successful start-up PetMassage™ business. To prepare for this workshop, you will study the 2 Effective PetMassage™ for Dogs DVD’s and the Effective PetMassage™ for Dogs Manual, and 2 more books, Creating & Marketing Your Animal Massage Business and Dog Anatomy Coloring Atlas. These are all included in the fees for the workshop.

Along with your life experience, this is your foundation for the volume of information you will receive through (discussion style) lectures and individual, hands-on instruction working with dogs. We discuss, demonstrate, and practice and then you return-demonstrate your understanding and practice of PetMassage™ energy and body mechanics, PetMassage™ theory and techniques. Movement and breathing exercises expand your sensory and spiritual awareness and develop healthy body mechanics. The instruction is supportive, encouraging and geared to help you to discover and develop your own personal massage form. This course has been described as a personal development and enrichment class through the medium of canine bodywork. The 7-day PetMassage™ Foundation workshop includes modules on anatomy, physiology and canine behaviors, the physiological affect that PetMassage™ has on body systems, ethics and business marketing strategies. Also included is a field trip to the ASPCA to hone your skills while connecting with the dogs who are there in temporary residence. A Certificate of Completion for the Seven-day PetMassage™ for Dogs Foundation Workshop is awarded after we have received your take-home test and documentations of additional pro bono PetMassage sessions.

PetMassage™ workshops have small classes – between four and twelve students. They are about 30% lecture, 60% hands-on, 10% playing with dogs and 110% growth and enjoyment. Lectures and demonstrations use models, charts, other text references and the class syllabus.

Students are encouraged to bring dogs. In fact, for every 2 dogs you bring, we will take $25 off your workshop course fees. If you are unable to bring your own dog, other lucky canine volunteers are provided.

Workshops are scheduled, February – November, Sundays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All workshops are held at the PetMassage™ Ltd. School in Toledo, Ohio

Goals of the 7-day PetMassage™ Foundation Workshop

• Develop an understanding of the theory, techniques, vocabulary, culture and vision of PetMassage™
• Learn to understand and provide for diverse canine needs
• Learn basic dog anatomy & physiology
• Become aware of body mechanics for you and your K-9 clients
• Understand scope of practice, business ethics, marketing

 When you feel you are ready for more in-depth training, take the 7-day Advanced. We’ve talked about the 5-day PetMassage WaterWorkTM in past newsletters. Since it incorporates an entirely different set of skills, there are no prerequisites and you can take the PetMassage WaterWorkTM before the PetMassage Foundation.

Find our updated workshop schedule, more information about the workshops and testimonials of students who have already completed them, online. Call now to reserve your space in our workshops.

Want to talk to someone who can answer your questions? Call us. Ask about any aspect of PetMassage that concerns you. We’ll help you in any way we can. With twelve years of experience and over 200 workshops, we know quite a lot about the subject. We’ll also snail mail the PetMassage™ Pet-a-log and Travel Information brochure, with all the information you’ll need to attend a workshop. Call us at 800-779-1001 or email info@petmassage.com.

We’re pleased to announce that we have created a Youtube channel to post videos about PetMassage. We’ve added our first video already. It’s fun, so watch it.

You can view it right here, or you can visit our page at Youtube. Either way, be sure and share it with your friends and don’t forget to come back and check for more videos in the near future.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Rudinger

About this video

We couldn’t resist the play on words of PetMassage for our first offering. When we first began our company in the late 1990′s we’d often get asked at dog shows, “PetMassage™? You can teach my dog to massage me?”

This video is our answer. Lola Ginabrigida, the little four year old boxer girl, loves to massage her people, Anastasia and Jonathan Rudinger. Really. Anastasia and Jonathan are both massage therapists for humans and keep a massage table at the ready in their home for weekly bodywork tune-ups. Lola watched them massaging each other with an intensity that was unusual for the happy-go-lucky pup. Lola, since she is a teaching assistant in the PetMassage workshops in Toledo, has been on the receiving end of many, many PetMassages over the last three years. She has been known to gently redirect students who are not following a particular sequence correctly and mischievously challenge those who aren’t demonstrating their calm-assertive body language. One day while she was watching Anastasia giving Jonathan a massage, she put it all together. She stood up on her hind legs, steadied herself with her forepaws on the table, and with the most delightfully serious expression on her face, started to knead, scratch, hold (her version of positional release) and lick Jonathan’s shoulder. Naturally, she got lots of praise for this. And now, every time she sees a massage going on, whether it’s at home or in the massage therapy room at the school, she needs to join in to help. The video shows Lola as she learns to PetMassage™ Anastasia. Lola required Anastasia to complete an intake form before her session and she even washes her paws (not shown) before proceeding with her version of PetMassage™. Please rest assured that, no matter how it looks, no humans were harmed during the making of this video. The red marks from Lola’s “Santa claws” were spontaneously resolved through the magic of “healing lick.”

I have a new suggestion re: the PetMassage for Kids™ program. Teach it to the kids at summer camps. A tangent to that suggestion is that there are many summer camps for adults and their dogs. This programs can be for their kids and the adults will learn a little bit of PetMassage™ too.

Dogs Kids PetMassage™ Course

Just why is this course so important? Children learn the skills of awareness, which will keep them safe as they see how an animal is responding to them. They learn compassion, taking them out of themselves as the center of the universe. They learn the power and healing effects of intentional touch. This socially appropriate touch honors the space, the body, and the emotional states of their dogs.

The PetMassage for Kids™ program teaches children the basic hands-on skills of canine massage and principles of dog handling safety. This course will reduce the incidence of dog bites in the U.S.

The book, DVD and audio CD, individually or as a three-part set is the perfect gift for any child who loves dogs. The Dogs Kids PetMassage book by itself, at only $16.95 is at a great price point. All three are only $45, plus we’ll include the official PetMassage patch, for FREE!

Order the entire PetMassage for Kids™ program. It includes the PetMassage: A Kids Guide to Massaging Dogs DVD, the book, Dogs Kids PetMassage, and the audio CD and the curricula. The PetMassage for Kids™ Curricula is sold separately. The Five Day plan is 3 hours per day and/or Ten week plan is one hour per week are great programs for after school, summer school, home school, camp, and scouts. One for $50, or purchase both for $75. Call 800-779-1001. Order online

We’ll even include a free official PetMassage patch so the kids can identify you as the expert. The package including one curriculum, and either the five day course or the ten week course, is only $95. If you would like both the curricula, the price, including the DVD, book and CD is only $120.

Thought you’d like to read a testimonial:

“This gentle book offers encouragement and instructions for things we can do right now, to help us dog owners during times of our greatest grief and despair. These are times when we too could benefit from a comforting hug, a wet nose and a compassionate floppy ear.”
-DP, Chicago

TRANSITIONS is the chronicle of the intuitive massage that I shared with Oskar, our boxer, the day before he was euthanized. During the session we developed a psychic connection in which we were able to share memories of a few of the inconsequential pleasant times we spent together. With my hand resting on various parts of his body, I would recall simple events such as noticing a stick on the sidewalk and watching Oskar walk over to nose it. As the impression of the memory filled my mind, Oskar twitched. I would like to believe that we were experiencing the psychically aware bonding synergy that allowed us to tie up loose emotional strands and bid each other our sincere “Adios, mi amigo,” or more correctly, “Hasta mañana, mi corazon.”

If you know anyone who is in the process of dealing with all the uncomfortable questions and emotions that come up while their dog’s transitioning from this plane to the next, get them this book. Order your copies for $20 each.