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

   1. (a) Are accredited by a recognized regional or state accrediting body or vocational or technical accrediting body; and
   2. (b) Meet the requirements of subsection (3)(a) through (f) of this section.
2. (2) Methods of instruction may include didactic instruction, distance learning, and practical or hands-on instruction.

3. (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:

   1. (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:

      1. (i) Technique:

         1. (A) Stroking including effleurage, and gliding;
         2. (B) Percussions, including tapotement;
         3. (C) Compressions;
         4. (D) Friction, including rubbing, and gliding with pressure;
         5. (E) Swedish gymnastics or movements;
         6. (F) Kneading;
         7. (G) Range of motion or stretching;
         8. (H) Fascial or connective tissue stretching.
      2. (ii) Contraindications in zoonotic diseases;
      3. (iii) Documentation and recordkeeping;
      4. (iv) Physiological benefits;
      5. (v) Palpation; and
      6. (vi) Body mechanics of the therapist.

   2. (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:

      1. (i) Biomechanics, including range of motion, gait analysis, and muscle actions;
      2. (ii) Conformation analysis; and
      3. (iii) Observation.

   3. (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.

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

         1. (A) Skeletal system;
         2. (B) Muscular system;
         3. (C) Nervous system;
         4. (D) Digestive system; and
         5. (E) Circulatory system.

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

         1. (A) Endocrine system;
         2. (B) Integumentary; and
         3. (C) Fascial anatomy.

   4. (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:

      1. (i) Breed characteristics;
      2. (ii) Body language;
      3. (iii) Social dynamics;
      4. (iv) Signs of stress;
      5. (v) Communication;
      6. (vi) Methods of restraints;
      7. (vii) Situations with specially trained animals; and
      8. (viii) Environment.

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

      1. (i) Ethics;
      2. (ii) File management;
      3. (iii) Documentation of care;
      4. (iv) Liability; and
      5. (v) Multicultural education as described in RCW 43.70.615.

   6. (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:

      1. (i) Vitals, including respiration, pulse, heart rate, temperature, and capillary refill;
      2. (ii) Recognizing emergencies;
      3. (iii) Emergency first-aid care;
      4. (iv) Hydration test; and
      5. (v) Ethics and responsibilities.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.240.050 and 2016 c 41. WSR 17-11-058, § 246-940-050, filed 5/16/17, effective 7/1/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.240.050. WSR 11-14-026, § 246-940-050, filed 6/24/11, effective 7/25/11.]