WAC 246-940-050. Approval of animal massage therapist 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 therapist. (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.