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EnglishWhat Training Programs Does the Lang Institute for Canine Massage Offer?
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The Lang Institute for Canine Massage offers a single comprehensive training path built from two parts: a home study program and a four-day hands-on practicum, totaling 688 hours. It is a Colorado state-approved program that has trained canine massage providers since 1999, and it accepts students at all levels — from beginners to experienced veterinarians and canine rehabilitation practitioners. If you want to work independently or alongside veterinarians and other canine professionals, this structure is designed for that outcome.
Program structure at a glance
| Component | Format | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Home study | Self-paced study before the practicum | The foundation needed to be prepared for hands-on work |
| Practicum | Four-day intensive, in person | Hands-on practice with a variety of dog breeds and temperaments |
| Total program | 688 hours | Professional canine massage training |
The home study portion was developed by board-certified practicing veterinarians, PhDs, education specialists, and a Master Certified Massage Therapist. That matters because it means the foundation material is built by people with both clinical and teaching backgrounds, not by a single practitioner working alone.
The home study portion
The home study program is the prerequisite stage. Its stated purpose is to give you the foundation you need before arriving at the practicum, so the in-person days are spent on hands-on work rather than on introducing basic concepts.
Because it is completed before the practicum, the sequence is fixed: home study first, then the four-day intensive. Plan your schedule around the practicum date you want, and work backward from there.
The four-day practicum
The practicum is described as a four-day intensive with "dogs, dogs and more dogs" — hands-on work with a variety of breeds and temperaments. That variety is the point: a dog who stands calmly for massage and a dog who is anxious or reactive require different handling, and the practicum is where you encounter that range under instruction.
The site lists these dates:
- 2025 Practicum: June 26 – 29, 2025
- A 2024 practicum is also listed as June 27 – 30, 2024
If you are planning around the 2025 session, note that the home study portion must be completed beforehand, so the practical deadline is earlier than the practicum date itself.
The Lang System
The curriculum is built on the Lang System, developed by Joanne Lang, a Master Certified Massage Therapist with over thirty years of experience massaging people, dogs, horses, and — per the site — even an elephant. The system combines three elements:
- Observation
- Massage
- Exercise
The stated goal of combining these three is to prepare a dog for whatever work or challenges it may encounter. In practice, this means the training is not massage technique alone; you are also learning to assess a dog and to pair massage with exercise.
Who the program is for
The institute states it offers instruction for all levels:
- Beginners starting a new career
- Experienced veterinarians
- Canine rehabilitation practitioners looking to expand their skills
The program also explicitly covers when to refer a dog to other canine professionals — a boundary-setting skill that matters if you intend to work alongside veterinary practices rather than independently.
How to decide if this fits you
Choose this program if you want a structured, state-approved path with a defined hour count and an in-person practicum working with many dogs. The 688-hour total and the required home study phase mean it is a commitment, not a short course.
Before applying, confirm two things directly with the institute: the current practicum dates and whether any prerequisites apply to your background, since the site notes instruction is offered at all levels but does not detail separate entry requirements per level. The site provides a phone number (970-691-3985) and an "Apply now" option for those questions.