Section 246-940-050. Approval of animal massage practitioner educational programs.

(1) The secretary recognizes as approved those animal massage programs that:

(a) Are accredited by a recognized regional or state accrediting body or vocational or technical accrediting body; and

(b) Meet the requirements of subsection (3)(a) through (f) of this section.

(2) Methods of instruction may include didactic instruction, distance learning, and practical or hands-on instruction.

(3) Approved animal massage programs must include a minimum of three hundred hours of instruction related to either large animals or small animals as follows:

(a) A minimum of seventy-five hours of instruction in general animal massage techniques. At least thirty-five of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:

(i) Technique:

(A) Stroking including effleurage, and gliding;

(B) Percussions, including tapotement;

(C) Compressions;

(D) Friction, including rubbing, and gliding with pressure;

(E) Swedish gymnastics or movements;

(F) Kneading;

(G) Range of motion or stretching;

(H) Fascial or connective tissue stretching;

(ii) Contraindications in zoonotic diseases;

(iii) Documentation and recordkeeping;

(iv) Physiological benefits;

(v) Palpation; and

(vi) Body mechanics of the practitioner.

(b) A minimum of sixty hours of instruction in kinesiology. At least twenty-one of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include the following subjects:

(i) Biomechanics, including range of motion, gait analysis, and muscle actions;

(ii) Conformation analysis; and

(iii) Observation.

(c) A minimum of seventy-five hours of instruction in anatomy and physiology. At least twenty-one of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction.

(i) The instruction in anatomy and physiology must include the function and structure of the following systems:

(A) Skeletal system;

(B) Muscular system;

(C) Nervous system;

(D) Digestive system; and

(E) Circulatory system.

(ii) The instruction in anatomy and physiology must include the relationship and effect of massage on the following systems:

(A) Endocrine system;

(B) Integumentary; and

(C) Fascial anatomy.

(d) A minimum of seventy-five hours of instruction in animal behavior and handling. At least twenty-one of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include the following subjects:

(i) Breed characteristics;

(ii) Body language;

(iii) Social dynamics;

(iv) Signs of stress;

(v) Communication;

(vi) Methods of restraints;

(vii) Situations with specially trained animals; and

(viii) Environment.

(e) A minimum of ten hours of instruction in business practices. The instruction must include the following subjects:

(i) Ethics;

(ii) File management;

(iii) Documentation of care;

(iv) Liability; and

(v) Multicultural education as described in RCW 43.70.615.

(f) A minimum of five hours of instruction in first aid. At least two of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include the following subjects:

(i) Vitals, including respiration, pulse, heart rate, temperature, and capillary refill;

(ii) Recognizing emergencies;

(iii) Emergency first-aid care;

(iv) Hydration test; and

(v) Ethics and responsibilities.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.240.050. WSR 11-14-026, § 246-940-050, filed 6/24/11, effective 7/25/11.]

RCW 18.240.050. WSR 11-14-026, § 246-940-050, filed 6/24/11, effective 7/25/11.