Basic Wellness Massage for Dogs and Cats for Health and Wellness Practitioners
Safe touch begins with observation, control and respect for the animal.
This foundation course introduces TCM-inspired acupressure massage for dogs and cats through a careful, skills-based approach. Participants learn how to observe animal comfort, locate selected points using simple anatomical landmarks, control pressure and apply short wellness routines without crossing into veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
- Read signs of comfort, relaxation, resistance, stress and overstimulation
- Apply gentle holding, circular massage, press-and-release and calming strokes
- Adjust rhythm, pressure and duration according to size, temperament and tolerance
- Recognise contraindications and know when veterinary referral is necessary
More than a massage course: a structured professional foundation.
The programme combines hands-on skill development, responsible scope boundaries and practical service-development value for health, wellness, grooming and pet-care settings.
Practical Skills
Develop animal observation, point-location, touch sensitivity, pressure control and short-sequence application skills.
Service Capability
Support carefully scoped wellness offerings, owner education and complementary pet-care services.
Professional Trust
Communicate clear boundaries, recognise red flags and strengthen responsible collaboration with pet-care stakeholders.
Eligible members may recover 50% of the nett course fee.
For a S$480 course fee, the potential UTAP recovery is S$240, subject to the member’s remaining annual UTAP cap, membership eligibility, attendance, supporting documents and successful claim approval.
UTAP is generally a reimbursement after course completion, not an upfront discount. Members below 40 have an annual cap of up to S$250; members aged 40 and above have an annual cap of up to S$500 across supported UTAP components.
UTAP eligibility at a glance
The actual reimbursement is the lower of 50% of the unfunded course fee and the member’s remaining annual UTAP balance.
- Below age 40: annual UTAP cap of up to S$250 across supported components.
- Age 40 and above: annual UTAP cap of up to S$500 across supported components.
- Attendance: at least 75% attendance and completion of any prescribed assessment.
- Claim deadline: submit through the UTAP system within six months after course completion.
- Membership: paid-up NTUC membership is required before, throughout and at the point of claim.
UTAP is a reimbursement after course completion and is not an upfront course discount. All claims remain subject to NTUC approval.
Move from isolated techniques to complete, repeatable wellness sequences.
Calm & Relaxation Routine
For supporting relaxation, emotional settling, restlessness management and general comfort.
Digestive & General Wellness Routine
For supporting digestive comfort, appetite balance, abdominal sensitivity awareness and general wellness.
Mobility & Senior Comfort Routine
For supporting ageing pets, stiffness, reduced mobility, hindlimb comfort and general senior wellness.
Eight hours of progressive, skills-based learning.
The programme moves from safety and foundational concepts into point location, practical techniques and complete routine application.
Foundations of TCM Pet Wellness & Safety
Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang in pet wellness support; animal observation; safe touch; contraindications; referral boundaries.
Selected Dog & Cat Acupoints and Massage Skills
Anatomical landmark-based point location, pressure control, calming strokes, circular massage and press-and-release techniques.
Three Structured Wellness Routines
Safe sequencing, adaptation for dogs and cats, animal-response monitoring, stop rules and responsible owner guidance.
Relevant to practitioners, pet-care businesses and committed pet owners.
No veterinary qualification is conferred. The programme provides a responsible foundation in supportive wellness care.
A focused foundation course with practical resources.
Start with a foundation that can support future upskilling.
Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion. The course is positioned as an entry point for future development in pet acupressure, groomer wellness enhancement, senior-pet support and structured animal-wellness education.
- Certificate of Completion
- Practical course notes and online materials
- Foundation for intermediate animal acupressure learning
- Potential pathway for pet-wellness service development
Dr Clement Ng Shin Kiat
A registered TCM practitioner, educator and standards leader bringing clinical discipline, structured training design and responsible complementary-medicine governance to this new field of pet-wellness education.
- Doctor of Medicine (TCM), Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
- Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner
- President, Singapore Acupuncture Association
- Chairman, Technical Committee on Complementary Medicine and Health Product
- Head of Delegation for Singapore, ISO/TC 249 Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Vice President, WFCMS Standard Construction Committee
- Former Vice Principal, Singapore College of TCM
- ACTA Certified
What prospective participants need to know.
Do I need to be a TCM practitioner?
No. The course is suitable for health and wellness practitioners, groomers, pet-care professionals, business owners and serious pet owners. It remains a foundation wellness course rather than a veterinary qualification.
Will live animals be used?
Delivery arrangements may vary by course run. Demonstrations, acupoint charts and animal models may be used, with practical exercises structured around safety, animal comfort and appropriate supervision.
Can I claim UTAP before attending?
UTAP is generally claimed after course completion. Eligible members must meet membership, attendance, documentation and claim-deadline requirements, and the course must start within its approved support period.
Does the certificate allow me to treat animal diseases?
No. The certificate recognises completion of a wellness-education course. It does not authorise veterinary diagnosis, treatment, prescribing or disease management.
Important Professional Boundary
This course is designed for wellness education and supportive pet care. It does not qualify participants to diagnose, treat, prescribe for or manage animal diseases, and it does not replace veterinary care.
Illness, injury, acute pain, infection, trauma, persistent symptoms or unexplained behavioural changes require appropriate veterinary assessment.
Choose the contact method that suits you.
Completing the interest form gives us the information needed to update you about the next course run. WhatsApp is available for quick questions before you submit.
Build a safe, practical foundation in wellness massage for dogs and cats.
Receive the next course date, venue, delivery format and registration instructions when the new run opens.
UTAP support is subject to the approved course period, paid-up NTUC membership, remaining annual cap, attendance, supporting documents, claim deadline and successful NTUC approval.