Category: News
Make this the year you take our Visceral Therapy training with Dr. Kris DeCeulaer DVM, D.O., PhD
Let us make it even easier for you to add this transformative skill to your toolkit. We are offering four classes this year.
Visceral Therapy for Dogs and Horses (self-paced online course and a prerequisite for the hands-on days)
Canine Visceral Therapy In Person Practical – May 30th,2025
Equine Visceral Therapy In Person Practical – May 31st, 2025
Advanced Soft-Tissue Technique for Pain – June 1st, 2025
Choose from Equine or Canine, sign up for all three (Online, In Person and Advanced), and use Code VTX250 to get $250 off the package!
Can’t make the Advanced day? We’ll still give you $50 Off for taking the Online and In-Person practical if you use code VTX50.
Already completed the visceral therapy training previously? We are offering an audit option to retake the In Person Practical at $175 ($300 savings). If you enroll for the Advanced Soft-Tissue Technique for Pain course, you can audit the in-person day for only $75!
Whatever way you choose, you don’t want to miss this great series!
Happy Valentines Day from NWSAM! Are you ready for a sweetheart of a deal?
Enroll in any of our 2-Day Biomechanics and Stretching classes or any of our Online Massage or Acupressure Certification online courses. Use Code LOVE10 and you get 10% Off Tuition.
In addition, NWSAM will donate $10 for every class enrolled in to our friends at Emerald City Pet Rescue (Ghost Owl Farm) for Valentines Day. This offer is good on select courses through Monday Feb. 17th at midnight.
For the Love of Animals!
Learn Visceral Therapy for Animals with Veterinary Osteopath Dr. Kris De Ceulaer, DVM, D.O.
NWSAM is proud to host Dr. De Ceulaer again in 2025. Her courses are in-depth and engrossing. Study the neural anatomy and learn how to gently restore communication between the organs and the nervous system for better health of all systems and improved mobility. “Stuck” organs contribute to decreased range and freedom of movement. Suboptimal digestion, respiration, circulation and even reproduction can improve dramatically even within the first treatment.
Enroll in the Online Visceral Therapy for Animals and Choose a 1-day hands-on training from the following dates:
May 30th Canine Visceral Therapy
May 31st Equine Visceral Therapy
Receive $50 OFF when you use Code VTX50 at check out!
Dr. DeCeulaer will also be offering a NEW Advanced Visceral Therapy practical on June 1st. This course can be added to your enrollment and is also available to anyone who has taken the Visceral Therapy course in the past. It will be a combined equine/canine format.
We are fortunate to have Dr. DeCeulaer travel from her busy osteopathy practice in Belgium to teach for NWSAM. She visits every other year and 2025 may be one of your last opportunities to train with her in the United States. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are encouraged to attend. Osteopathy is one of the most rapidly growing therapies in the animal health industry. NWSAM is proud to be able to bring you two training options based in osteopathy with this Visceral Therapy course and our Manual Ligament Therapy courses. These massage techniques are based in the principles of osteopathy using gentle approaches to restore balance without the use of forceful manipulations.
NBCAAM Approved CE Course
We recommend that you give yourself at least 30-45 days to complete the online video course prior to attending the courses in May.
ARE YOU A WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENT INTERESTED IN ANIMAL MASSAGE AND BODYWORK?
LIVE OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON STATE, BUT WANT TO PROVIDE SERVICES WITHIN WASHINGTON?
Did you know? Washington State is the only state to legally recognize Animal Massage Therapists as independent Health Care Providers!
While many states regulate or even restrict the practice of animal massage, currently only Washington State Therapists can carry a professional license. This not only provides additional recognition and protections to therapists, but ensures that your clients get a standard of care that meets the highest standards in the nation.
NWSAM was the first school ever approved by Washington State Department of Health to provide training.
What does that mean for you? To qualify for licensure in Washington State, students must complete the following steps:
- Complete 300 hours of training in either small animal or large animal massage through an approved program.
- Complete the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) exam for your subject
- Submit the Washington State Animal Massage application along with your NBCAAM exam scores
- Request transcripts from NWSAM to be sent at the same time as your application.
PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE ENROLLING
NWSAM offers several programs that meet the Washington State Requirements. To ensure that our out-of-state students have an opportunity to study, our Foundation Level program is set at 200hr, the national recommendation for board certification. Washington State residents must take an additional 100 hours of training to qualify for state licensure. The additional training hours can be met through our advanced courses (performance massage, rehabilitation massage or animal acupressure).
YOU MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO NWSAM CERTIFICATION COURSES TO QUALIFY FOR LICENSURE IN WASHINGTON STATE
Here is a typical example of a curriculum of study that qualifies for state licensure. A certification course at NWSAM includes a distance-learning course and an in-person practical.
Student A completes the following:
- Small Animal or Large Animal Foundation Level Distance Learning course
- Small Animal or Large Animal Foundation Level Practical + case studies
- Small Animal or Large Animal Rehabilitation Level Distance Learning course (or similar qualifying course)
- Small Animal or Large Animal Rehabilitation Level Practical + case studies (or similar qualifying course)
NWSAM will guide you through the steps to completing your training and obtaining your license. NWSAM is separate from NBCAAM and WADOH. Students must apply for testing and licensing through the appropriate agencies. But we will provide information and assistance to make the process easier for our graduates!
When you are ready, contact our office and a Student Services Representative can help you chart your course for success!
Get Ready for the Next Big Thing in Pet Health!
The new Canine Bodywork Online program is live! Visit Canine Bodywork Online.
What is Canine Bodywork Online?
This online program provides helpful videos and audio guides for dog owners and pros:
- Learn helpful exercises and routines to show clients so they can help their pets between visits
- Rest easy knowing they will be able to do their homework well when they sign up for CBO themselves.
- CBO educates owners about the value of professional massage in addition to what they can do at home to help their pets
JOIN NOW! Get Lifetime Access to tools and information that you can use to enhance your practice and add value for your clients.

Are you interested in studying Animal Acupressure with NWSAM? Could you use assistance in reaching your goals?
Susan Kaetz was a Licensed Acupuncturist, an NWSAM graduate and an ardent animal lover. She strongly encouraged NWSAM to pursue offering an animal acupressure course. When Kim Bauer agreed to develop and teach a program for NWSAM, we established the scholarship program in Susan’s honor. Each year we award several grants of various amounts and one full-ride scholarship to individuals with specific needs or goals for their work.
Please consider filling out the application to be considered for our 2023 grants.
Internationally recognized Animal Communicator Joan Ranquet joins NWSAM for a very special 2-Day Animal Communication workshop on July 13-14th! Join us on our Vashon Island campus for this in-person conversation.
NWSAM Just Turned 20!
We are celebrating in January by rolling back prices on our original courses. Enroll for our Small Animal Foundation Massage certification or the Large Animal Foundation Massage certification at historic prices! Save 50% off the 2021 cost. Use Code: ROLLBACK20 at checkout to recieve your discount.
Check out other deals HERE.
NWSAM knows that working with animals is not without risk. NWSAM is the only school to provide our student’s with the best insurance available while you are enrolled. WE cover the cost and ABMP handles all the details so that you can relax and focus on your studies! Just one more way that at NWSAM, all student are honored students!