Archive – NBCAAM Media Releases

Dr. Michael W. Fox, Veterinarian and Author, Accepts Honorary Membership in NBCAAM

September, 2010..... Seattle, Washington…It is with great pleasure that the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) announces that Dr. Michael W. Fox recently accepted an Honorary Membership in the organization. Dr. Fox is renowned for being the pioneer in the field of animal massage and human-animal relationships.

Dr. Michael W. Fox, veterinarian and author, has written over 40 books and currently writes the nationally syndicated newspaper column Animal Doctor. Between 1976 and 2002 he served in various positions with the Humane Society of the United States, including Scientific Director and Vice President for Bioethics and Sustainable Agriculture.

He earned his veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College, London, from where he graduated in 1962. His subsequent research into animal behavior and development in the US was at the Jackson Memorial Research Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, and the Thudichum Psychiatric Research Institute, Galesburg IL. This work resulted in a dissertation entitled Integrative Development of the Brain and Behavior in the Dog, (published in 1971 by the University of Chicago Press), that earned a Ph.D. in Medicine from London University in 1967.

As Associate Professor of Psychology at Washington University, St Lois, MO, Dr. Fox continued behavioral and developmental studies in dogs, wolves and other related canids, for which he earned a D.Sc. in animal behavior/ethology from London University in 1976.

The Healing Touch: The Proven Massage Program for Cats and Dogs by Dr. Fox, published in 1981, was one of the first texts on animal massage. Soon after this publication, he received certification as a human massage therapist from the State of California. He is widely recognized as an expert in animal emotions, rights, and well-being as well as human-animal relationships and rights, bioethics, biotechnology, humane, sustainable agriculture, and holistic health.

Dr. Fox is a member of the British Veterinary Association, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Founding Member of the International Society for Applied Animal Ethology, and an Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Linda Tellington-Jones Named First Honorary Member of NBCAAM

February, 2010..... Linda Tellington-Jones, PhD, whose revolutionary Tellington TTouch® Training program has helped the physical, mental, emotional and behavioral aspects of thousands of animals and humans around the globe for decades, has been granted the first Honorary Membership of the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM).

Founded in the spring of 2008, the purpose of NBCAAM is to establish and uphold professional standards for animal acupressure and massage practitioners. The method by which NBCAAM certifies that a practitioner has met these standards is by standardized national certification examinations.

In addition to honoring Linda, NBCAAM has granted TTouch experience as a validated part of the required hours for the Equine and Canine Acupressure Examination.

Amy Snow, co-founder of NBCAMM, states, “We want to recognize Linda for all the amazing work she has done over the years in bringing humane, hands-on therapies to animals. She has literally created a new mind set regarding the care, treatment, training and health of all animals.”

“I’m very pleased to be recognized with this honor,” says Linda. “I’m so grateful for the acknowledgement of this work and the accreditation of TTouch by the NBCAAM. I also appreciate these innovative people in bringing standards to the industry. We discovered years ago in our organization that standards are necessary to maintain the integrity of TTouch and all it represents — from the actual hands-on elements of TTouch to business procedures to practitioner ethics.”

Linda continues, saying, “I am so pleased that NBCAAM has also created an outline of core competencies for practitioners — just as we have established with TTouch, the animal owner can then be assured that the practitioner has a background and training that can be trusted.”

As professional practitioners, instructors, and veterinarians in the fields of animal massage and acupressure, the founding members of NBCAAM developed a set of Core Competencies for each discipline. These Core Competencies reflect the knowledge required to perform animal acupressure or massage as a qualified professional in either one or both animal massage and acupressure disciplines. From this set of Core Competencies, standardized examinations were developed.

Amy Snow’s Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in Colorado also recognizes all TTouch courses as part of the electives required in the institute’s certification program.

Information about TTouch for horses, humans and companion animals, as well as clinic dates, a list of practitioners, DVDs, books and other material can be found by visiting www.TTouch.com. Information about NBCAAM can be found by visiting www.nbcaam.org.
Contact: KATE ROIRDAN - irishkate@prodigy.net

Recent Nationally Certified Practitioners

February 16, 2010, Colorado, USA..... The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) is very proud to announce that eight (8) people have recently become Nationally Certified Animal Massage or Acupressure Practitioners by successfully passing the required examinations. Each of the following people understand the significance of meeting and upholding the Standards of Practice and Ethical Code set forth by NBCAAM to assure the health and well-being of animals and support the professionalism of their respective disciplines.

Nationally Certified Animal Massage Practitioners:

Marianne L. McClain, Equine & Canine Massage Practitioner, attended the Northwest School of Animal Massage, resides in Durango, CO

Jennifer M. Wheeler, Equine Massage Practitioner, attended the Hocking College Equine Complementary Therapies program, resides in Pittsburgh, PA

Kimberly Hellems, Canine Massage Practitioner, attended the Northwest School of Animal Massage, resides in Crozet, VA

Nationally Certified Animal Acupressure Practitioners:

Anita Read, Equine & Canine Acupressure Practitioner, attended Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, resides in Fort Worth, TX

Karen Shaw, Equine Acupressure Practitioner, attended Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, resides in Marshall, CA

Leanne Garnas, Equine Acupressure Practitioner, attended Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, resides in Belgrade, MT

Kathi Soukup, NCTMB, LMT, Equine Acupressure Practitioner, attended Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, resides in Freeport, IL

Casie Bazay, Equine Acupressure Practitioner, attended Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, resides in Porter, OK

The Board of NBCAAM congratulates each of the nationally certified practitioners for their dedication to the highest professional standards. NBCAAM, a not-for-profit organization, was created for the purpose of establishing and upholding professional standards for animal acupressure and massage practitioners. The method by which NBCAAM certifies that a practitioner has met these standards is by developing standardized national certification examinations. Taking the examination is entirely voluntary. Information and the requirements for taking the examinations are available on the website: www.nbcaam.org

ANITA READ - 1st Nationally Certified Canine & Equine Acupressure Practitioner in the USA

September, 2009 Colorado, USA..... The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) has announced that Anita Read, of Fort Worth, Texas, is the first Nationally Certified Canine and Equine Acupressure Practitioner in the United States. After retiring from a 30-year career in aviation, Anita Read decided to pursue her life-long love of animals. To that end Ms. Read began to work with animal rescue organizations, canine agility programs, and Animal Assisted Therapy as well as becoming both a Small Animal and Equine Acupressure Practitioner with Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in June of 2009. Additionally, Ms. Read is a graduate of the Wakepoint School of Energy Healing, a Sound Healer, Reiki Master and a graduate of Calif. State University at Long Beach. When asked her intention in sitting for the Canine and Equine Acupressure NBCAAM examinations, Anita Read stated: Beginning a new career in this field, it's important to me to meet the highest professional standards available in order to give me credibility as I work alongside veterinarians to provide our animals the best that is available in Western and Eastern care. I want to support the National Board in their mission to strengthen Animal Acupressure as a career field. I believe being a Nationally Certified Canine Acupressure Practitioner gives me credibility as an Animal Acupressure Practitioner. The Board of NBCAAM is pleased that Ms. Read supports their mission of establishing and upholding the highest professional standards of practice in this emerging field. She, along with quite a few others, has distinguished herself from others with less training and skill in animal acupressure.
NOTE: The NBCAAM Canine Massage Examination is due to be available on October 1st, 2009.
NBCAAM, a not-for-profit organization, was created for the purpose of establishing and upholding professional standards for animal acupressure and massage practitioners. The method by which NBCAAM certifies that a practitioner has met these standards is by developing standardized national certification examinations. Taking the examination is entirely voluntary. Information and the requirements for taking the examinations are available on the website: www.nbcaam.org.
Contact: Amy Snow, 888.841.7211, amy@animalacupressure.com.

4 Nationally Certified Equine Acupressure & Massage Practitioners in the USA

July, 2009 Colorado, USA....... The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) is pleased to announce that four outstanding Equine Acupressure & Massage Therapists are now Nationally Certified. These four women have successfully passed either the equine acupressure or massage examinations:

Marianne L. McClain, a graduate of the Northwest School of Animal Massage and practicing in Durango, Colorado is the first to become a Nationally Certified Equine Massage Practitioner;

Jennifer M. Wheeler, the second Nationally Certified Equine Massage Practitioner, graduated from the Hocking College Equine Health and Complementary Therapies program in Nelsonville, OH and she practices in Pittsburgh, PA;

Kathi A. Soukoup, is the first Nationally Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner, she is a graduate of the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and her acupressure practice includes horses and dogs in Illinois and Wisconsin;

Karen Shaw, the second Nationally Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner completed her equine acupressure studies with Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and practices in northern California.

All four Nationally Certified Animal Acupressure or Massage Practitioners have taken an important step toward upholding the highest standards of practice in these emerging fields. By taking and passing the NBCAAM examinations, they have added to their credentials and differentiated themselves from others with less training and expertise. These women are serious about their careers in equine healthcare.

Ms. McClain further commented: "It is a great way to add to your professionalism and credibility as an equine practitioner. More people need to realize how wonderful it is to have a national certification process. I am really thankful to everyone who put forth the effort to put the exam in place as I am sure it wasn't easy to do."

NBCAAM, a not-for-profit organization, was created for the purpose of establishing and upholding professional standards for animal acupressure and massage practitioners. The method by which NBCAAM certifies that a practitioner has met these standards is by developing standardized national certification examinations. Taking the examination is entirely voluntary. Information and the requirements for taking the examinations are available on this website.
[Contact: Amy Snow, 888.841.7211]

First Nationally Certified Equine Massage Therapist in the USA!

May, 2009 Colorado, USA....... The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) is pleased to announce that Marianne L. McClain has passed the rigorous National Certification Examination for Equine Massage this Spring, 2009. She is the first to have achieved this landmark. When asked about her motivation in taking the exam she replied: "I am just starting my equine massage business in Durango, Colorado and I knew that passing the exam would add to my credentials. I think there are a lot of people out there who call themselves equine massage therapists that have very little training. I wanted to differentiate myself from them and make a statement that I was serious about what I am doing."

Marianne has been a licensed veterinary technician for over 20 years and is certified by the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians. After experiencing massage therapy firsthand following an injury, Marianne realized how much it can aid in the healing process and wanted to be able to help animals in the same way. She is a graduate of the Northwest School of Animal Massage (NWSAM) in both equine and canine massage and has completed 750 hours of training. Marianne has also studied other forms of bodywork and aromatherapy. She is currently pursuing certification in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy and expects to attend the Equine Rehabilitation Program next year.

Marianne felt that the NBCAAM examination "was hard enough to weed out people who didn't have a good understanding of equine anatomy and massage, but not so hard that it was difficult to pass." She further commented: "It is a great way to add to your professionalism and credibility as an equine practitioner. More people need to realize how wonderful it is to have a national certification process. I am really thankful to everyone who put forth the effort to put the exam in place as I am sure it wasn't easy to do."

EQUINE EXAMS GO LIVE!

November 2008, USA.......The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) is pleased to announce that the Equine Massage and Equine Acupressure Examinations are Live. Practitioners and students can go to www.nbcaam.org to download the application to be sent in for review. Once the application is approved and a proctoring site arranged, Hocking College will send the access information and the applicant can sit for the examination.

This is a very important first step toward supporting and promoting individuals within the profession and standarding the profession itself through voluntary meeting of standards. The canine massage and canine acupressure examinations are being prepared and are expected to be available later this fall.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Study Guides for the examinations posted on the NBCAAM website. Also, for further information about NBCAAM and FAQs please visit the website.

NBCAAM website goes live Early June

May 2008.......The new website for The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) will go live in early June to provide access to all the information needed to participate and become a NBCAAM Certified Practitioner. Go to www.nbcaam.org for more information.

Mission Statement:

National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) endeavors to provide examinations that reflect and uphold the highest professional standards of practice for animal acupressure and massage. To that end, the examinations are available to people who have completed specialized animal training programs in either or both disciplines. Upon successful completion of the examination in their chosen discipline, the practitioner will be deemed a knowledgeable and professional animal acupressure or massage practitioner and will be recognized as such by noted professionals practicing in that particular field.

Resource:

Currently, the website provides a Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics for animal massage and acupressure, committee listings, and other resources. NBCAAM, over time, intends to develop resources to support the efforts of animal acupressure and massage by providing services for those striving to be outstanding leaders in the industry. Member benenfits will include: a directory of Nationally Certified Animal Acupressure and Massage Practitioners, listings of advanced training opportunities for the practioner, examination study guides, sample questions, listing of NBCAAM approved schools, and learning materials for continued study.

Intention:

NBCAAM provides the general public, the veterinary community, and other animal healthcare professionals assurance that NBCAAM Certified Practitioners meet the highest professional standards of practice. Bi-annual Continuing Educaton is required of all NBCAAM Certified Practitioners. We are taking important strides toward building and increasing the level of professionalism within the animal massage and acupressure disciplines. Taking the examination is entirely voluntary and we are excited to be able to offer this option to people who are serious about enhancing the professional standing of animal massage and acupressure in the United States.

The Time Has Come!

March 2008 The Time Has Come! – The time has come for Acupressure and Massage to take their rightful place among the Nationally Certified professions. The process has begun and will be a reality in the near future. As of late spring 2008, the Equine Massage and Acupressure National Certification Examinations will be available through Hocking College, which is hosting these online examinations. There will be many more details regarding this momentous process... full story