DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

The definitions in this section apply throughout the chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Client" means the owner of the animal or the owner's agent.

(2) "Department" means the department of health.

(3) "Didactic instruction" means instructor led classroom instruction.

(4) "Distance learning" includes instruction completed through written correspondence courses, video instruction, or provided electronically through web-based instruction.

(5) "Large animals" includes equine, food animals, camelids-ruminants, nonruminants, and large exotics.

(6) "Client information form" means a form provided to the large or small animal's client informing them of the ((practitioner's)) therapist's scope of practice and qualifications.

(7) "Practical or hands-on instruction" means in-person instruction, or demonstration under the direction of a qualified instructor.

(8) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health.

(9) "Small animals" includes cats, dogs, pocket pets, avian and small exotics.

(1) A certified animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist is an individual who provides external manipulation or pressure of soft tissues by use of the hands, body, or device designed and limited to providing massage. Animal massage may include techniques such as stroking, percussions, compressions, friction, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, range of motion or stretching, and fascial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aid of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts.

(2) A certified animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist may not diagnose, prognose, or treat diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries of animals; attempt to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the animal's body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force; perform acupuncture involving the use of needles; or perform mechanical therapies that are restricted to the field of veterinary medicine.

(3) A certified animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist may provide animal massage solely for purposes of the animal's well-being.

An applicant for certification as an animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist shall submit or cause to be submitted to the department:

(1) A completed application and fee;

(2) Proof of successful completion of the training required in WAC 246-940-050 received directly from the program where the applicant completed the training;

(3) Proof of successful completion of a certification examination required in WAC 246-940-020;

(4) Proof of successful completion of the Washington state jurisprudence examination as required in WAC 246-940-020;

(5) Verification of four clock hours of AIDS education as required in WAC 246-940-020;

(6) Verification from all states in which the applicant holds or has held a credential to practice animal massage, indicating that the applicant has or has not been subject to charges or disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment; and

(7) Additional documentation as required by the secretary to determine whether an applicant is qualified for certification.

(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)) 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.

The information form is to advise the client of the ((practitioner's)) therapist's qualifications and authorized scope of practice. The following information must be furnished to the client in writing prior to or at the time of the initial visit and signed by the client.

(1) ((Practitioner's)) Therapist's qualifications, including:

(a) Education; and

(b) State certification number and date of issue.

(2) A statement that the ((practitioner)) therapist is limited to providing massage solely for purposes of animal well-being.

(3) A statement that the ((practitioner)) therapist may not:

(a) Diagnose, prognose, or treat diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries;

(b) Adjust or manipulate any articulations of the animal's body or spine;

(c) Perform acupuncture; or

(d) Perform mechanical therapies that are restricted to the field of veterinary medicine.

(4) A copy of the signed information form must be maintained in the animal's record.

(1) Certified as animal massage ((practitioners)) therapists who practice in this state shall display their certification at all times, in a conspicuous place within their primary place of practice.

(2) ((Practitioners)) Therapists must keep a copy of their certification with them when practicing at locations other than their primary place of practice.

(1) Every certified animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist shall maintain written records of all animal massage services he or she provides.

(2) A separate record shall be kept for each animal.

(3) All records shall be legible, readily retrievable and shall be kept for a period of three years following the last treatment.

(4) The records shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of the client;

(b) Name or other identification of the animal;

(c) Description of the animal's condition and the nature of the massage services provided;

(d) The client information form;

(e) If the certified animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist suspects that the animal has an injury or condition that may require veterinary care, he or she must advise the client and make a notation in the animal's record.

(1) If the certification has expired, the animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist must meet the requirements of WAC 246-12-040.

(2) If the certification has expired for more than five years, the animal massage ((practitioner)) therapist must also submit verification of active practice in any other state or jurisdiction, or retake and successfully pass the examinations required in WAC 246-940-020. For the purpose of this section, active practice means at least two hundred hours of practice in each of the previous three years.

(1) Certification must be renewed every year on or before the animal massage ((practitioner's)) therapist's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.

(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for certification: