If you think you want to learn to help horses and or dogs move better with less pain than this course is for you. You will not only learn effective techniques to balance the soft tissue but you will come away from these courses with a new way to look at the structure of your animal companions and clients. In a 5 day course you will learn enough to be able to either start or increase your business working with animals. (These courses are recognized by the International Association of Structural Integrators for Level II continuing education credit)

The Anatomy/Physiology Pre-Day:

This optional one day class concentrates on the anatomy and physiology needed for the 4 day Myofascial Release Phase. This allows the instructor to concentrate in depth on these subjects for students who want a more detailed review of anatomy and physiology before starting the 4 day MFR intensive. This course includes some dissection, an over-view of neuro-muscular control as it pertains to the release of fascia, and the role joint receptors play in fascial release. The course topics include Biomechanics, Anatomy and Physiology of fascia, muscles and joints, palpation skill enhancement, the role of the nervous system in myofascial control. Participants who are comfortable with their anatomy training and understanding of fascia as well as comfortable with horses and/or dogs, can come directly to the MFR intensive, skipping this portion. This class is specific to either horses or dogs depending on the MFR phase that follows it.

The Myofascial Release Phase:

After this course you will be able to work with horses and dogs on your own as a myofascial release therapist, as well as include these techniques into your existing practice. The course follows the Anatomy Course and is 4 days long. In this course the student is taught to identify and release fascial restrictions found in the equine structure in a way that allows the horse to "integrate" the work into their body (myofascial integration). The course blends classroom lectures, demonstrations of the techniques and supervised hands-on work with horses. The lectures are followed with immediate demonstration and application of the lecture material with horses to assure the participants understand the material.

The course topics include Biomechanics, Movement Analysis, palpation skill enhancement, the role of the nervous system, joint mobilization techniques, myofascial stretching, first aid, practitioner/client/animal safety and an introduction to the use of TENS and light therapy.

Class size is limited to allow close interaction with the instructor. The tone of the class is one of exploring our understanding of equine therapy as well as learning new skills.

This course is recognized by Washington State and meets the animal practitioner training requirements.

The Animal Structural Integration Certification:

The Animal SI practitioner certification is a combination of course work and practicums that take place over a two year period, with your having 3 years to complete the work. You will come to class either Colorado or other locations, work at home on home study material, online courses and work with animals in your private practice. The entry course for this program is the Equine MFR course. Application to the program may be made after either the Equine or Canine MFR course. All participants will take both of these courses and will then can either concentrate on a canine or equine track or mix both.

This phase is by application after the Equine or Canine MFR phase has been completed and some time has been spent by the graduate working with horses or dogs. The class is kept small, no more that 8 participants, to allow a very close mentorship of the students. This certification is a serious commitment of time on both our parts, we really want to assure that you are cognizant of this before we commit to training you. If you have taken the Equine MFR course previously with me you are eligible to apply for this certification phase.