Vet-Led Therapeutic Animal Massage Workshop
Learn the hands-on techniques Dr Elaine Cebuliak has used for over 20 years to support animal comfort, healing, movement, range of motion and wellbeing.
The Course
This hybrid course gives you practical training in therapeutic animal massage, beginning with online study and building into a full-day hands-on workshop with Dr Elaine Cebuliak.
You’ll begin with immediate access to the online learning portal for 12 months, where you’ll study the foundations of animal massage, anatomy, palpation, body language, safety, acupressure, range of motion and supportive therapeutic care. The online modules are designed to give you the knowledge base you need before attending the practical workshop.
Then, in the face-to-face training day, you’ll bring the theory into your hands.
Under Dr Elaine’s guidance, you’ll practise therapeutic touch techniques, develop feel and confidence, and learn how to observe an animal’s subtle responses so your touch becomes more informed, safe and effective. This is where the learning clicks - when you move from understanding the techniques to actually applying them.
This course is designed for devoted pet owners, animal care professionals, vet nurses, vet students, groomers, walkers, bodyworkers and anyone who wants to gain practical skills to support animal comfort, movement, healing, range of motion and wellbeing.
These are the same kinds of therapeutic techniques Dr Elaine has used for more than 20 years in holistic and integrative veterinary care to help animals feel, move and recover better.
This is not about replacing veterinary care or professional rehabilitation. It’s about becoming more skilled, observant and confident in the way you support the animals you love and work with.
What you will learn
This course teaches practical, therapeutic animal massage skills you can use to support animals with more confidence, awareness and care.
You’ll learn how to observe the animal in front of you, read body language, identify areas of tension, and use safe hands-on techniques to support comfort, mobility, recovery and range of motion.
Across the online modules and practical workshop, you’ll explore:
• Animal massage foundations and holistic healing principles
• Basic animal anatomy and surface anatomy
• Palpation and how to develop feel through your hands
• Massage techniques for therapeutic support
• Acupressure and meridian foundations
• Joint mobilisation and range of motion
• Body language, calming techniques and animal responses
• Contraindications and safety precautions
• Veterinary rehabilitation concepts
• Tellington Touch, essential oils and veterinary first aid
• Documentation, ethics and continuing education
The goal is not just to “know” the techniques - it’s to understand when, why and how to use them appropriately.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a stronger foundation in therapeutic touch and a more informed way to support dogs, cats, horses and other animals where appropriate.
Whether you’re caring for your own pet, expanding your animal care skills, or adding another layer to your professional work, this course gives you practical tools you can continue using long after the workshop ends.
Curriculum
You don’t need any prior training, qualifications or animal massage experience to get real value from this course.
The curriculum is designed to take you step by step from foundational knowledge into practical, hands-on skill. You’ll begin with animal massage principles, anatomy and palpation, then move into therapeutic techniques including acupressure, joint mobilisation, range of motion, body language, safety, rehabilitation support, first aid and professional practice.
Whether you’re a devoted pet owner, vet nurse, animal care professional, groomer, walker or bodyworker, the course is structured to help you build confidence gradually before bringing the techniques together in the practical workshop.
What Students Say
Students often tell us the biggest shift is moving from “I love animals” to feeling more confident, skilled and informed in how they support them.
“It enhanced my confidence.”
“The most valuable part of the training was learning how to recognise subtle signs in animals and apply massage techniques in a way that is both safe and effective. It really enhanced my confidence in working more intuitively and compassionately with animals.”
- Soraya Shears
“The hands-on practice helped everything click.”
“I really appreciated how thorough and well-organised all the learning materials were - it made such a difference in helping me absorb the information and feel confident during the hands-on practice.
Sunday’s practical session was especially valuable. Being able to work directly with the techniques helped everything click, and I felt like I came away with a much deeper understanding.”
- Alicia Brown
Whether you’re starting with no prior training or already working with animals, this course is designed to help you build practical confidence step by step.
Hybrid Animal Massage Course
Online study + full-day practical workshop
What Students Say
This guided hybrid course begins with online study to build your foundation, followed by a full-day face-to-face practical workshop where you bring the techniques together under Dr Elaine’s guidance.
You’ll receive immediate access to the online learning portal for 12 months, including written materials, lectures, anatomy foundations, practical exercises and downloadable resources.
For the best experience, students are encouraged to complete the online modules before attending the practical workshop. This means you can arrive with the theory already in place and use the hands-on day to refine your technique, develop feel and build confidence.
The practical workshop is held at Animal Wellness in East Brisbane and is led by Dr Elaine Cebuliak, an expert in holistic and integrative veterinary care who has used therapeutic massage techniques for more than 20 years to support animal comfort, healing, movement, range of motion and wellbeing.
During the workshop, you’ll work directly with greyhounds and practise therapeutic touch techniques in a calm, supportive learning environment. Dr Elaine will guide your technique, offer personal feedback and help you understand how to read subtle animal responses so you can apply massage more safely, confidently and effectively.
You don’t need any prior training, qualifications or animal massage experience to get real value from this course. It is designed to support both beginners and those already working with animals.
Places are intentionally limited to protect the quality of teaching and ensure personal attention.
What’s Included
• 12 months access to the online learning portal
• Written course materials, lectures and downloadable resources
• Anatomy foundations and practical exercises
• Full-day face-to-face workshop with Dr Elaine Cebuliak
• Guided hands-on practice with greyhounds
• Personal feedback during the practical training day
• Certificate of Completion
• Supportive, professional learning environment
Spaces are limited and fill quickly, so early enrolment is strongly recommended - especially if you want time to complete the online study before the practical workshop.
Please note: due to the limited places and immediate access to the online learning portal, bookings are non-refundable once confirmed. Please check the scheduled workshop date carefully before booking.
Your Enrolment includes
Your enrolment includes 12 months access to the online learning portal, course notes, lectures, downloadable resources, a Certificate of Completion, and a full-day face-to-face practical workshop with Dr Elaine Cebuliak.
The practical workshop is limited to 15 participants so each student can receive guidance, feedback and a safe, supportive hands-on learning experience.
One simple payment. No ongoing fees.
Immediate access to the online learning modules.
12 months’ access to the online learning portal.
Course notes, lectures, and downloadable resources.
A full-day, face-to-face practical workshop with Dr Elaine Cebuliak.
Guided hands-on practice with people and greyhounds.
Practical support, feedback, and guidance throughout the workshop.
A Certificate of Attendance.
Lunch, tea, and coffee on the practical day.
Can't Make This Workshop?
Join the Waitlist for the Next Date
If this workshop date doesn’t work for you, join the waitlist and we’ll let you know when the next Animal Massage practical workshop is confirmed.
These vet-led practical training days are usually offered every 3 months, with limited places available in each workshop so Dr Elaine can provide close guidance, personal feedback and a safe, supportive hands-on learning environment.
Joining the waitlist gives you early notice of upcoming dates, so you have the best chance to secure a place, begin the online study, and prepare properly for the full-day practical workshop.
Whether you want to support your own animals with more confidence or add practical therapeutic skills to your animal care work, the waitlist is the best place to start.
Your Instructor
Dr Elaine Cebuliak
Dr Elaine Cebuliak is a highly experienced veterinarian, educator and holistic animal care practitioner with decades of clinical and teaching experience.
She is the founder of Animal Wellness in Brisbane and has spent more than 20 years using therapeutic massage, acupressure and integrative techniques to support animal comfort, healing, movement, range of motion and wellbeing.
Her background spans mixed veterinary practice, holistic therapies, acupuncture, dentistry, remedial massage, naturopathy, nutrition, teaching and animal welfare work. She has taught workshops across Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, lectured internationally, and served in leadership roles across veterinary associations.
Dr Elaine brings a practical, deeply experienced and compassionate approach to this course. Her goal is to help students understand not just what to do with their hands, but how to observe the animal, read subtle responses, apply techniques safely, and support the animals in their care with greater confidence.
Qualifications:
Dip Ed, B.V.Sc., M.A.C.V.Sc., IVAS, AIAS Diploma Remedial Massage/Reflexology, ANTA Registered Naturopath & Nutritionist
Holistic
Integrating Mind-Body Wellness in Animal Therapy
Therapeutic
Enhancing Health and Recovery Through Touch
Comprehensive
Mastering the Art and Science of Animal Massage Techniques
Let’s keep in touch
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FAQ's
For the Live Skills Interaction session:
Q. What time should I arrive?
A. Up to 30 minutes prior to the listed start time. This will give you enough time to park, grab a coffee if you like and meet the other students.
Q. Can you please confirm the address?
A. It's the Paws 4 Art Shed on Edgar Street, right next door to Animal Wellness Vet in East Brisbane, QLD.
Q. What should I bring with me?
A. Bring a note pad and pen, you will want to take notes. You can bring a printed version of the downloads from Teachable and take notes on them if you like. Bring some water - lunch is usually provided.
Q. What should I wear?
A. Comfortable, flexible clothing (e.g., stretchy pants, loose tops).
Closed-toe, non-slip shoes (no sandals, heels, or open-toe footwear).
Tie back long hair; remove jewelry to avoid entanglement.
Q. How much of the online component should be completed prior to attending?
A. All of it. Or as much as you can if you signed up late for the course. The face-to-face part of the course is bringing everything you have learned online together with guidance and hands on practice.
Q. What is the name of the qualification I’ll receive upon completion?
A. A Certificate of Completion for this course in Animal Massage
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