Meet the Student: Sarah Murphy

Canine massage graduate, Sarah Murphy is a dog trainer and groomer, currently working with Autism assistance dogs as a Dog Care and Welfare Coordinator.

She is also the very first graduate of TCAP’s Level 4 equivalent Diploma in Canine Massage. We asked how how it felt to undertake the course and discover how she’s putting her training into practice.

Q: HOW DID YOU DISCOVER TCAP AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STUDY THE LEVEL 4 (EQUIVALENT) COURSE?

A: I was working with dogs anyway I am a trainer and groomer and I just wanted to go down a different route as well, I was looking at physio but I just knew I wouldn’t be ready for physio without having done something first.

I signed up in 2019 then covid, so I was not able to go on any practical days as I am in Ireland, I also injured my hand and needed surgery , so I had to keep putting it on the back burner.

Q: HAD YOU STUDIED ANYTHING ELSE THAT MADE YOU FEEL YOU WERE QUALIFIED ENOUGH TO START THE COURSE?

A: Only the dog training and grooming, but obviously not very much along the lines of anatomy, which at the time felt scary. Because I hadn’t done much in that area before I wanted to start at the lowest possible one.

Q: YOU’RE BASED IN IRELAND: DID YOU LOOK AT OTHER PLACES BESIDES TCAP FOR YOUR TRAINING?

A: No because their really isn’t anything in Ireland that offer you an actual qualification. Some follow on Courses/workshops but nothing that actually gets you a qualification first and actual physio’s / massage therapists are rare over here.

Q: WERE TCAP ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE?

A: Yes luckily during my practical days with Lisa I actually did more hours than what I needed to so I was able to count some of those as work experience hours. A friend of mine owns a grooming salon and I did some hours that way.

Q: COMING FROM THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE, HOW DID YOU FIND HAVING THE PRACTICAL SESSIONS?

A: It was amazing, Lisa is so knowledgeable I could ask her any question, their were no stupid questions and because I had come from very little anatomy background she was so patient and I am a very practical learner so they were very valuable for me. I actually booked and paid for extra practical days. Lisa went above and beyond as she knew I was coming from Ireland she made sure that she was there. I actually did one extra week and a few days , to make it an intensive two weeks which was really good. This meant I was able to do my training and examinations in one which meant I didn’t need to pay for a return trip to the UK at a later date.

Q: NOW YOU HAVE QUALIFIED, WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS?

A: I work with Autism assistance dogs as the Dog Care and Welfare Coordinator , so I am starting to implement it in that role. My employers are very supportive of me doing this.

Q: IS THERE ANY OTHER FEEDBACK YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE ABOUT THE COURSE?

A: I really enjoyed the content it was really good, the trainers were so knowledgeable and the practical days as I say were invaluable. Having the option to book the extra two days was very beneficial for me as a practical learner.

Q: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO ANY STUDENT CONSIDERING A COURSE IN CANINE MASSAGE?

A: Oh just do it, the anatomy really scared me and the fact that it’s the first unit, however once you get over that part, you soon get your head around it. I was blessed to have one on one, but even two or three people in your class is so much better than being in a huge college, I learnt so much. I came back after that and my knowledge had tripled, I was buzzing. It was a big and intensive time, but it was so enjoyable.

I learnt so much. I came back [from my practical training] and my knowledge had tripled: I was buzzing. It was a big and intensive time, but it was so enjoyable.

Sarah Murphy, Canine Massage Graduate

To find out more about our Level 4 and 5 equivalent canine massage courses, view our courses or contact us at: admin@tcap.co.uk