Boards & Committees
NBCAAM Board of Directors Contact List
Co-Chairs
Theresa Gagon – Bancroft School of Massage Therapy – Worcester, MA
Amy Snow – Tallgrass Acupressure Institute – Larkspur,CO
Co-Vice Chairs
Larry Coon, Dean – Hocking College – Nelsonville, OH
Tina Romine – Hocking College - Nelsonville, OH
Secretary
Susan King – Companion Chi, Cary, NC
Treasurer
Lola Michelin – Northwest School of Animal Massage – Falll City, WA
Members at Large
Nancy Zidonis – Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute – Larkspur, CO
Mike Scott – Equine Massage/Muscle Therapy – Camden, SC
Jonathan Rudinger – Pet Massage and International Association of Animal Massage and Bodyworkers (IAAMB) – Toledo, OH
Bill Harnetty – DVM, Hocking College – Nelsonville, OH
Jean Pierre Hourdebaigt – Massage Awareness – Wellington, FL
Dr. Pedro Luis Rivera – Healing Oasis Wellness Center – Sturtevant, WI
Michelle J. Rivera – Healing Oasis Wellness Center – Sturtevant, WI
Sherri Cappabianca – Rocky's Retreat Canine Wellness & Healing Therapies – Winter Park, FL
NBCAAM Committee Contact List
Continuing Education (Future Committee)
Chairperson/POC: Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt – Massage Awareness – Wellington, FL
Members:
Scope and Purpose: The aim and scope of the Continuing Education Committee is to help ensure, through
research, review, documentation and approval, that high quality educational courses are offered to NBCAAM members.
The Committee will create continuing education requirements for NBCAAM members. These activities will ensure the
ongoing enhancement of NBCAAM member education and skills in the practice of animal acupressure and massage.
Ethics
Chairperson/POC: Lola Michelin – Northwest School of Animal Massage – Falll City, WA Members: Scope and Purpose: The Ethics Committee will be responsible for developing the code of ethics for adoption by the Association as well as a recommended code of ethics for nationally certified practitioners. In addition, the Ethics Committee will receive and reply to complaints or concerns regarding ethical considerations of the Association membership. The Committee will serve as mediator in ethical disputes within the membership and rule on situations involving unethical behavior. Lastly, the Ethics Committee will be involved in public education regarding ethics withing the animal massage and acupressure industry.
Examination Question Review and Improvement
Chairperson/POC: Theresa Gagon – Bancroft School of Massage Therapy – Worcester, MA
Members: Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, Mike Scott, Raquel Wynn
Scope and Purpose: The aim and scope of the Questions Committee is to ensure that current and relevant
acupressure and massage questions are presented to the prospective testee. After referring to the appropriate study
guide the testee will be well aware of the expectations of the NBCAAM exam. Thus the consumer will be assured that
upon the successful completion of the test, the certified practitioner will reflect the knowledge of appropriate
subject matter and integrety of NBCAAM.
Fund Raising (Future Committee)
Chairperson/POC: TBD Members: Thomas Rocks Scope and Purpose:
Hocking College Liason (Not a Committee)
Chairperson/POC: Nancy Zidonis – Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute – Larkspur, CO Members: N/A Scope and Purpose: The Hocking College Liaison is responsible for maintaining a smooth flow of information and dialogue between Hocking College Staff and the NBCAAM Board in the following areas: Web CT operation (examination delivery system), examination updates, administration of the examination, and payment processing. The Liaison is also responsible for other related duties that may become necessary as NBCAAM grows. The Liaison will confer with the appropriate Hocking College Staff as required in carrying out these duties.
Legislation
Chairperson/POC: TBD Members: Lola Michelin Scope and Purpose:
Liaison for Schools
Chairperson/POC: Lola Michelin – Northwest School of Animal Massage – Falll City, WA Members: Colleen McDonald, Deb D'Andrea Scope and Purpose: The Liaison for Schools Committee will be responsible for disseminating and clarifying information regarding the NBCAAM exams to schools directly or indirectly related to animal acupressure and animal massage. The committee will field questions from schools or educational programs regarding the mission of the Association and the administration of exams and will bring concerns back to the NBCAAM board for consideration. Future plans will include outreach to schools to establish relationships between educators and NBCAAM as well as appearances at speaking engagements, trade shows or events that offer opportunities to establish contacts with educators. Members of the committee will collect information to create a database of educators and educational programs and will be responsible for providing updated information regarding NBCAAM policies and procedures to those contacts who are members of the association.
Marketing/PR
Chairperson/POC: Kathy Merrell – Grand National Equine and Canine Massage – Tuscaloosa, AL Members: Amy Snow (BOD Advisor), Dr. Kim Bloomer, Lisa Baldwin, Colleen Collins, Tania Costa, Dr. Jeannie Thomason Scope and Purpose: The Marketing Committee is charged with developing a Marketing Plan that addresses advancement of the NBCAAM mission of setting professional standards of practice and ethics for massage and acupressure practitioners. This will entail communicating to the massage and acupressure practitioners, other complementary therapy healthcare providers, the veterinary community, and the community at-large. This committee will endeavor to explore as many means as possible of communicating with and educating these target groups to enhance the awareness of the animal massage and acupressure disciplines and the efforts of NBCAAM to fulfill its mission.
Member Relations
Chairperson/POC: Nancy Zidonis – Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute – Larkspur, CO
and Theresa Gagon – Bancroft School of Massage Therapy – Worcester, MA (both acting)
Members: Dennie Semore
Scope and Purpose:
Newsletter (Future Committee)
Chairperson/POC: Amy Snow – Tallgrass Acupressure Institute – Larkspur,CO Members: Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, Susan ("Slim") Bartfay Scope and Purpose:
Study Guides
Chairperson/POC: Sharon Romines – Sacred Breath Therapeutic Massage – Duvall, WA Members: Kim Bauer, Mike Scott (BOD Liaison), Sherri Cappabianca, Jill Golgosky Scope and Purpose:
Technology and Website
Chairperson/POC: Sherri Cappabianca, – Rocky's Retreat Canine Wellness & Healing Therapies – Winter Park, FL
Members: Steve Romine (available for advice), Kim Minda (Proctoring sub-committee)
Scope and Purpose: The Technology and Website Committee is reponsible for maintaining and updating
the NBCAAM website, and reviewing, recommending and implementing any technologies the Board deems neccessary to
help fulfill its mission. A sub-committee to the Technology and Website Committee is Proctoring, which is
responsible for maintaining a current and comprehensive list of examination proctoring locations throughout the
country. Refer to Becoming Certified for the current proctor site list.
Volunteer
Chairperson/POC: Susan King – Companion Chi, Cary, NC Members: Scope and Purpose: The Volunteer Committee will be responsible for volunteer intake, placement and outreach. The Committee will act as liaison between volunteers and committee chairs as well as the Board of Directors to determine where volunteer help is needed and to assign volunteers accordingly. The Committee will establish outreach connections, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, with organizations of like interest in order to build a coalition to further the goals of NBCAAM.