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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who is RMSAAM?
Per Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage (RMSAAM): the school offers a wide range of courses in animal massage, acupressure, reiki, essential oils, animal communication, and more. Per RMSAAM: there are two locations at the base of the Rocky Mountains and one in Florida. Per the school: all campuses are inspirational settings for learning the art of massage and acupressure for animals — students can bring their dog, work on a school dog, or practice on a friendly school horse.
What approvals and accreditations does RMSAAM hold?
Per RMSAAM, the school is approved and regulated by:
- Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational Schools
- National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a Continuing Education Approved Provider #719
- IAAMB/ACWT Approved Preferred Educational Provider #10-1
- Approved through the Washington State Department of Health
Per the school: these approval processes reflect a continuing effort to provide high-quality educational programs and uphold the highest standards in the industry.
What kind of faculty does RMSAAM have?
Per RMSAAM: all faculty members are educated professionals with extensive training, fieldwork, and teaching experience. Per the school: instructors are required to be credentialed by the state of Colorado as teaching professionals. Per the school: each teacher brings their own approach to the classroom while abiding by RMSAAM's strict teaching standards and curriculum.
How are the animal therapy programs structured?
Per RMSAAM: programs run 4-7 days on site per level. Per the school: the course calendar is designed to allow students to take each level back to back — many students travel from out of state or out of country. Per the school: each level divides time between classroom and lab settings, and small class sizes allow students to receive feedback from instructors and fellow students. Per the school: full massage programs are also provided online via correspondence — these classes are self-paced and require no time on campus.
What do RMSAAM students say?
Per RMSAAM testimonials:
- "I feel that I have found what I am supposed to be doing with this life of mine, and I can't thank RMSAAM and the staff enough for all their help and support, especially Jenny Rukavina." — Dotty Williams
- "It is just so cool how there is a school dedicated to this avenue in the animal field!" — Elizabeth Danelek
- "The flexibility and freedom to work with the horses as well as being in the classroom and sharing knowledge and support with others was a plus!" — Kourtney Ludwig
- "Thank you for creating a professional program that helps us to help the animals. I loved the instructors' willingness to patiently answer our many, many questions. Top rate all the way!" — Michelle Kodis
- "I learned so much about horses and horse massage. The class exceeded my expectations. As a result of the class I have become a much better horse person." — Emily Pugh, Equine Massage Level 1
How do I get started?
Per RMSAAM: Phone 1-866-903-6462 or 303-660-9390, email [email protected], website http://www.rmsaam.com/. Address: P.O. Box 1470, Elizabeth, Colorado 80107. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors.
What does RMSAAM stand for?
RMSAAM is the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage. It is a career and continuing-education school that trains practitioners in equine and canine massage, animal acupressure, craniosacral therapy, and related holistic modalities. The school is based in Colorado and also serves students in Florida.
Is the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage accredited or state-approved?
Yes. RMSAAM is licensed by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools, and all of its instructors must be credentialed as teaching professionals by the state of Colorado. It is also an Approved Provider with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) and an approved provider of Florida LMT continuing-education credits. Graduates receive a certificate that is a professional document from a state-approved institution of higher education.
What certification programs does RMSAAM offer?
The school's core certifications are Equine Massage and Canine Massage, each delivered in three levels (Introduction to Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage, and Advanced Massage). RMSAAM also offers Equine & Canine Acupressure certification, a Small Animal Acupressure Program, multi-level Visionary Craniosacral Therapy tracks, and a Master Acupressure and Massage Therapist credential for students who combine disciplines.
Can I take RMSAAM courses online or do I have to attend in person?
You can do both. RMSAAM offers on-site programs with hands-on canine and equine labs, lectures, and supervised practice, as well as correspondence (home-study) versions of many courses. Correspondence options include the massage levels, acupressure levels, and dedicated anatomy courses, so students can begin training near home and travel for the hands-on components.
What is animal acupressure and how does it work?
Acupressure is a hands-on modality rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that applies gentle, focused pressure to specific acupoints along the body's meridians. The goal is to support the animal's natural balance, circulation, and comfort. RMSAAM teaches both equine and canine acupressure, grounding students in the meridian system and point locations before moving into applied technique.
What is the Visionary Craniosacral Therapy program?
RMSAAM offers a seven-level Equine Visionary Craniosacral Therapy program and a five-level Canine Visionary Craniosacral Therapy program. The levels progress from The Basics through The Front End, The Hind End, Visceral Work, and Energy Work. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, light-touch modality that complements the school's massage and acupressure certifications.
What are the three levels of the equine and canine massage certifications?
Each massage track is built in three stages: Level 1 is Introduction to Therapeutic Massage, Level 2 is Sports Massage, and Level 3 is Advanced Massage. Both equine and canine tracks follow this structure, and each level is available in on-site and correspondence formats. Students build progressively from foundational technique to advanced and sports-focused bodywork.
Where are the RMSAAM campuses located?
The Colorado campus is at 3640 N State Hwy 67 (CR-67), Sedalia, CO 80135, hosted at Happy Dog Ranch, with additional equine lab work at Pelosa Farm near Longmont, Colorado. The school also serves Florida licensed massage therapists as an approved continuing-education provider. Together these locations give students options near the Rocky Mountains and in Florida.
How do I contact or enroll at RMSAAM?
You can reach the school by phone at 303-660-9390 or by email at
[email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, excluding holidays; messages left outside those hours are returned during business hours. You can also browse the full course list and start dates at www.rmsaam.com.
Do I need prior experience to enroll in animal massage training?
No prior bodywork experience is required to begin. RMSAAM's introductory levels and dedicated anatomy courses build a foundation in canine and equine muscle structure and movement before advancing to hands-on technique. The school also offers approachable options like Equine Massage for the Horse Lover and Canine Massage for Pet Lovers for owners who want skills without pursuing professional certification.
What continuing-education and specialty courses does RMSAAM offer?
Beyond the core certifications, RMSAAM offers a wide menu of specialty clinics, including Equine Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Equine Manual Ligament Therapy, Canine Trigger Point Therapy with Ken Bain, LMT, and the Equine Applied Behavior Clinic. There are also classes in Reiki, essential oils, herbs for animals and humans, Animal Communication with Gill Edwards, ANIMAL FREQUENCY BALANCING™ (Equine Levels 1–3), and a Market & Grow Your Business course for new practitioners.
What is the Master Acupressure and Massage Therapist program?
The Master Acupressure and Massage Therapist credential is RMSAAM's advanced designation for students who complete and combine multiple disciplines. It is designed for practitioners who want a comprehensive skill set spanning both massage and acupressure rather than a single modality. It represents the school's highest combined certification track.
Does RMSAAM teach reiki, essential oils, and animal communication?
Yes. In addition to massage and acupressure, RMSAAM's catalog includes reiki, essential oils and aromatherapy for animals, herbs for animals and humans, and Animal Communication courses. These holistic offerings let students round out their practice with energy and wellness modalities alongside their hands-on bodywork certifications.
What does an on-site RMSAAM course look like?
On-site programs combine engaging lectures, supervised practice sessions, and hands-on canine and/or equine labs, with intentionally small class sizes for one-on-one interaction with instructors. The hands-on experience prepares students for their required case studies, a written final exam, and a live practical on the final day. This structure ensures graduates can demonstrate competence before earning their certificate.
Are RMSAAM courses good for licensed human massage therapists seeking CE credit?
Yes. RMSAAM is an Approved Provider with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) and an approved provider of Florida LMT continuing-education credits. Licensed massage therapists can earn recognized CE hours while expanding into animal bodywork. This makes the school a practical option for human-massage professionals looking to add a new specialty.
Which animals do RMSAAM's programs cover?
The programs focus on horses (equine) and dogs (canine), with a Small Animal Acupressure Program extending the curriculum to smaller companion animals. Massage, acupressure, and craniosacral tracks are offered for both equine and canine students. This dual focus lets practitioners build careers serving horse owners, dog owners, veterinarians, and rehabilitation facilities.
What career can I pursue after completing an RMSAAM certification?
Graduates are prepared to work as professional equine massage therapists, canine massage therapists, and animal acupressure practitioners. The certificate from a state-approved institution supports careers in private practice, partnerships with veterinarians and trainers, and work with performance and rehabilitation animals. RMSAAM even offers a Market & Grow Your Business course to help new practitioners launch and build their client base.
