Jill Reynolds sent me this email and said it was ok ot post it on the
chat group. I hope it will be helpful to others. She makes some
really good points.

Hey Lisa! I guess my only input is that I'd like to see this as a
cooperative process where vets realize we can complement each other
(I know, easier said than done). I work on dogs mostly from vet
referral these days (and have plenty of letters of recommendation
from vets on how canine massage benefits dogs). Some of the vets I
work with are orthopedic specialists, surgeons, physical therapists,
acupuncturists, etc. I'd like vets to see animal massage as one of
many tools that are available to help their clients maintain health.
I think the vet I work most with would be willing to come down to
Denver and talk about this (Dr. Kara Keesling). We are doing a
workshop together in Longmont in April. I want the vets to know that
there are people who trained their asses off to be qualified to do
this and that we know it's important not to overstep the "scope of
our training" in our practices. I talk with vets daily to make sure
I understand background, health history, veterinary concerns, and
anything (especially related to back and neck injuries) that might
impact the work that I do. I've attached my health history form for
you to see the "policy and practices" agreement I use with clients.
It asks for veterinary involvement before massage is utilized.
Secondly, I'd like to work with vets to help them learn what makes a
certified canine massage provider qualified. I'd like them to know
that there are professional groups who are working hard to establish
professional standards for training. I'd like them to know there is
a difference between someone who has gone through an accredited
program and someone who has taken a video course. For us to be
considered professional, we must act professional and set high
standards of training for our own. I've talked a lot about this with
Jonathon at IAAMB. I'd also like to see professional development
requirements after initial certification to maintaining
certification. This is a common practice with teachers and I think
it's really important that we keep up with advances in the
evolving "body of knowledge" about working on dogs. I re-took canine
anatomy last summer from BCMT (Carrie Adamson from Alameda East
taught it) and learned so much more from the first time I took it. I
also took the "clay model" part of the curriculum that was not
available when I got certified. Talk about an amazing teaching
tool!!! It increased my understanding ten-fold!!
Anyway....yappity yap. Hope you're having a good weekend! Take
care, be well- Jill