What Can You Do After Completing Canine Massage Training at the Lang Institute?

Updated

After completing the Lang Institute for Canine Massage program, graduates are trained to work independently as professional canine massage providers or alongside veterinarians and other canine professionals. The school states its training is designed to help graduates "excel in the field of canine massage," and that it prepares students to meet the needs of each individual canine client — including knowing when a dog should be referred to another professional.

The Two Career Paths the Program Prepares You For

The Lang Institute describes two distinct ways graduates can apply their training:

  • Independent practice — working as a professional canine massage provider on your own.
  • Collaborative practice — working side-by-side with veterinarians and other canine professionals.

Both paths come from the same core training. The program's stated goal is to give students the knowledge to assess and address each dog's needs, plus the judgment to recognize when a case belongs with another professional (for example, a veterinarian).

What the Training Actually Covers

The Lang Institute is a Colorado state-approved program that has offered canine massage training since 1999. Its curriculum has two main components:

Home Study

Developed by board-certified practicing veterinarians, PhDs, education specialists, and a Master Certified Massage Therapist. This portion builds the foundation you need before attending the hands-on practicum.

Practicum

A four-day intensive with hands-on work across a variety of dog breeds and temperaments. The site lists June 26–29, 2025 as the 2025 practicum dates. (A 2024 practicum was listed as June 27–30, 2024.)

The full program is described as 688 hours, and the Institute says it offers instruction for all levels — from beginners to experienced veterinarians and canine rehabilitation practitioners looking to expand their skills.

The Lang System

The Lang System was developed by Joanne Lang, a Master Certified Massage Therapist with over thirty years of experience massaging people, dogs, horses, and even an elephant. It combines three elements:

  1. Observation
  2. Massage
  3. Exercise

According to the Institute, this combination helps prepare a dog for whatever work or challenges it may encounter.

Who This Fits

This training is a reasonable fit if you want to:

  • Build a career specifically in canine massage, whether solo or in a veterinary/clinical setting.
  • Start from beginner level, or add canine massage to an existing veterinary or rehabilitation practice.
  • Learn a structured system (observation + massage + exercise) rather than isolated techniques.

If your goal is a different modality or a program with different scheduling, the practicum dates and 688-hour structure are the key constraints to check first.

Practical Next Steps

  • Confirm current practicum dates and availability directly with the Institute (the site lists a phone number, 970-691-3985, and an "Apply now" option).
  • Ask how the home study portion is delivered and how long you have to complete it before the practicum.
  • If you plan to work alongside veterinarians, ask what the program teaches about referral criteria, since the Institute explicitly states graduates learn when to refer to other professionals.

Pricing, enrollment requirements, and licensing details are not specified in the available site information, so verify those directly with the Institute before applying.