I have discovered that there is no already existing built-in market or demand for dog massage. As one friend put it, looks like you don't have much competition, on the other hand there is no market. So I have set myself the task to help create a market for this service. Intuitively, dog owners know that massage would probably benefit their dog the way massage benefits humans. However, it is simply a bit before its time perhaps like doggie daycare places were 10 years ago. Now we have 3 doggie daycare places in my little town of Ipswich.
After having received my certificaiton from the Bancroft massage school, I defined 2 specific areas that dog massage will be useful. They overlap and support each other. The first is to actually PERFORM the massage on the dog in the same spirit as going to a massage practitioner or massage therapist. This could be done at a person's home or at an already existing place like a doggie daycare. The second is to TEACH dog owners how to perform massage on their own dogs. To facilitate both of these I have set up 4 different mini-events to get the word out. The first is at a local community center where they will invite their members to a one-hour intro to dog massage. They can bring stuffed animals with them or VERY social and easy dogs. I will use the dogs they bring for demos. The second is at a large animal shelter where I volunteer. They have invited their staff, volunteers and adoptive parents for the one hour intro seminar and I will use the shelter dogs for demos. The third is at a doggy dacare and I will use the owner's dogs for demos. The fourth is at petco where I will do a little fund raiser for a small shelter and offer free massages.
I am expecting to learn alot from these experiences and adapt my approach as I go. One more thing, I have this fun idea of "puppyware" parties like tupperware parties" where one person invites a few frineds and their dogs to her house. I would come and teach them a multi-week massage course and then we would have tea and cookes or something like that. It combines the social, spiritual, educaitonal and fun components of the whole venture. We'll see how that goes.
