Human-Pet Massage Areas May Be Banned

The Associated Press ^ | JANUARY 23, 2003

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) — The idea of people and pets getting professional massages in the same place rubs city officials the wrong way, so they're trying to tighten some health regulations.

The Board of Health is considering a proposal to differentiate between animal and human clients of massage therapists.

``We don't want (massage therapists) massaging animals at the same facility where humans are massaged,'' Health Agent Dennis Lacourse told the Daily Hampshire Gazette. ``Do physicians let you bring your dog into the examining room? No.''

Lacourse said human clients in massage facilities used by animals could potentially be exposed to parasites and disease, and animal hair can cause allergic reactions.

``Pets have fleas,'' Lacourse said. ``Fleas carry the plague.''

The Board of Health will hold a public hearing Feb. 3 on a proposal that would require therapists providing massage or muscular therapy to animals to set up a facility specifically for them.

Massage therapists say their practice can be every bit as soothing and relaxing to pets as it is to their owners.

``It's been gaining popularity in the last 10 years,'' said Lola J. Michelin, founder of the Northwest School of Animal Massage in Redmond, Wash. ``The market is definitely growing and expanding.''

[Grut]

Now, before everyone gets upset, let's remember that that's what local governments in Massachussets are for.

That said, send for PETA!

[Larry Lucido]

Don't mess with my massage!

[freeeee]

"The problem with 'post-modern' society is there are too many people with nothing meaningful to do, building 'careers' around controlling the lives of others and generally making social nuisances of themselves. They justify their meddling by discovering social 'problems' and getting the media to magnify them out of all proportion...Absolutely nothing human beings do is to be left uncontrolled."
- Graham Strachan, "Waging War on the Lunchbox"

I submit as exhibit number one of this phenomenon, Health Agent Dennis Lacourse:

"Pets have fleas," Lacourse said. "Fleas carry the plague."

Yes, people in Mass are that stupid. If you live there, move.

[sharktrager]

I'm curious why it's only the concept of humans and animals getting massages in the same place odd. When I was a kid we massaged our dog. It was called petting.

[Terriergal]

Yeah but you didn't go there and pay for a massage for yourself.

[Willie Green]

I see nothing wrong with basic public health standards applying to beauty shops and barber shops, and am thankful that pet grooming establishments are kept entirely separate. Given the sordid reputation of massage parlors, it is HIGHLY appropriate that animals be kept separate from humans.

[Willie Green]

When I was a kid we massaged our dog. It was called petting.

When I was a teen, "petting" had other interpretations as well.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Exactly. This news is proof positive that staff reductions are urgently needed at the Mass. Board of Health. Very few fleas carry plague, and pets whose owners are paying for owner & pet massages by professionals are highly unlikely to be flea-infested. Needless to say, these useless moochers don't cite any evidence that anyone has been contracting plague from household pets, in massage facilities or anywhere else.

[DWSUWF]

"...``Pets have fleas,'' Lacourse said. ``Fleas carry the plague.''..."

Yeah... That's a big problem at our house...

The dog will pick up plague fleas in the yard, and bring them into the house.

We've got it down to a science though...

As soon as one of us drops to the floor, convulsing, the one nearest the plague crash cart grabs the kit, rips it open and starts tossing anti-plague auto-injectors to everyone.

The 'tosser', as we call them, also throws an extra injector to the family member nearest the one in convulsions.

Actually the plague auto-injectors are a day at the beach compared to the heartworm hypos...

Now THAT mammer-jammer stings.

[ambrose]

Let's see here... don't like animals? Don't like fleas? Allergic? How about not patronizing an establishment that has those unwanted things? Nothing like freedom of choice...

[freeeee]

Would you settle for a notice on the door, indicating that dogs recieve messages there?

[DeathfromBelow]

I've seen some dogs giving massages in some overseas massage parlors

[freeeee]

Wow! Another survivor of caninus proximus! How lucky of us to be alive!

You should stop by our support group sometime. We are in dire need of new members, as we have been dying of the bubonic plague by the dozens.

[flying Elvis]

I have to admire the owner's acumen. Who would have thunk it? Getting paid to pet someone's pet for them. lol

[Ditto]

When I was a teen, "petting" had other interpretations as well.

Ya, but you always dated dogs anyway, Willie. ;~))

[gitmo]

LOL!

[DumpsterDiver]

"Pets have fleas," Lacourse said. "Fleas carry the plague."

I thnk I hear the plaintive wail of a hypochondriac. (Does anyone know where I can purchase some attack-fleas to sic on this guy?)

[Willie Green]

But none of 'em had fleas...
(at least I don't think they did.)

[Delbert]

Would you like to pet my monkey?