Certified Practitioner Listing
Equine Acupressure
Argentina: Antonio Palacio - Villa Carlos, Cordoba
California: Susan Holmes - Quincy
Karen Shaw
Colorado: Sharon Akiyama - Denver
Illinois: Kathi Soukup
Kansas: Sheryl Mankel
Montana: Leeann "Lu" Garnas - Belgrade
New York: Tenney Gravatt - Gardiner
Ohio: Lynn Caldwell - Yellow Springs
Diane Wilson - Clifton/Yellow Springs
Oklahoma: Casie Bazay - Porter
Oregon: Kim Bauer - Parkdale
Texas: Anita Read - Fort Worth
Wyoming: Laura Canapp - Cody
Dee Dee Sorsby
| California: | |
Susan’s experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine began some 20 years ago, experiencing the benefits of acupuncture first hand. She soon realized the health enhancing effect of TCM for her horses and dogs as well. With the encouragement and direction of Susan’s equine acupuncture vet, she worked on acupoints between visits. The first time Susan laid her hand on the point known as Bai Hui, or “Heaven’s Gate” she realized the power of equine acupressure. Her horse dropped his head and fought to keep his eyes open, fully experiencing the profound effects of acupressure. His health and well-being were enhanced dramatically. This experience encouraged Susan to begin the journey towards seeking an education in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the achievement of becoming a Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner through Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in Larkspur, Colorado. She has since become a Nationally Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner through NBCAAM. Susan’s love and involvement with horses has spanned her lifetime and now, she supports their health and well-being with acupressure. | |
| Montana: | |
Leeann "Lu" Garnas is an Equine Practitioner with Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. She is also a Level III Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist from EquiTouch Systems, Inc. in Loveland, CO. To date, her services have taken her all over Southwest Montana, into Wyoming, and off to shows in Oregon, Colorado, and California. Lu is also a natural barefoot performance specialist working on a range of horses, from pasture pets to Grand Prix Jumpers in and around the Gallatin Valley, MT. In addition to obtaining these certifications, Lu also specializes in nutritional assessments. | |
| New York: | |
Tenney found a soul-to-soul connection with horses at an early age. She loved riding, but the hands-on grooming, feeding, grazing and hand walking were always more satisfying to her. As she grew up, she continued to search for a way to spend her days with horses, while at the same time became particularly interested in their wellness. When Tenney discovered Reiki in the late 1990’s, it led her to an even stronger connection with horses, and the ability to deeply enhance their quality of life. Since then, she has studied the CinergE technique, has become certified in both equine sports massage and acupressure, and attained Reiki Master level. When she graduated from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in 2010 and attained NBCAAM certification, she fulfilled her childhood dream. Tenney now confidently offers horses a complete energy balancing session administered with love, compassion and a focus on their greater good. However, the dream is still growing! Tenney continues to attend clinics, programs and courses to further her knowledge and skill base. She plans to attend Veterinary Technician school and become a licensed Vet Tech in NY State. Tenney's practice focuses on equine energy balancing and acupressure in combination with Reiki and other techniques as appropriate. Clients to date include lesson horses, show circuit horses and backyard companion horses. |
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| Ohio: | |
Lynn’s love for all things equine stretches back to days on her grandparents’ farm, spending time with the mules her grandfather kept. Since then, she’s gone on to own, ride, and care for several horses of her own. Several years ago, she sought the help of Marie Soderberg, then with the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, for her Quarter Horse/Arab cross, Buck. He had been plagued with years of respiratory illness, and sentenced to a life supported with drugs. Acupressure changed that sentence, and it changed Lynn. In 2010, Lynn became a Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner through the Tallgrass Institute, as well as through NBCAAM. In addition to acupressure, Lynn has also studied Reiki and Aromatherapy/Essential Oils for animals. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi, and has made a successful career in sleep studies and fatigue management, through research, writing, and teaching. Lynn has joined forces with another co-Tallgrass Institute graduate to provide horses in their area with the best possible acupressure care through their business, Miami Valley Equine Acupressure. | |
Diane is a Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner, having attended the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. She is also certified through the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM). As the daughter of a veterinarian, Diane has loved animals of all kinds since the day she was born. In her very early years, she doctored her stuffed animals with great care, and went on to assist her father as a veterinary technician in her teens. She has devoted her life to supporting animal welfare through participation in local rescue efforts and establishing a pet sitting business. She owns, rides, and cares for her own horse and assists others in training horses through natural horsemanship methods. After an introduction to acupressure, she was convinced of the power this energy work has to make the lives of animals better. She has joined forces with another Tallgrass graduate to provide horses in their area with the best possible acupressure care. Their business, Miami Valley Equine Acupressure, serves the greater Miami Valley , Ohio area. In addition to acupressure, she has studied Reiki and Aromatherapy/Essential Oils for animals. She is also available to give talks and demonstrations to local clubs and organizations. | |
| Oklahoma: | |
Casie resides on an acreage in Porter, Oklahoma with family, 4 quarter horses, cattle, dogs, and cats. She has taught middle school for the last ten years and will be transitioning into her equine acupressure business this coming year (2010). Casie has been an animal-lover her entire life, but horses are her passion. She has been drawn to them since she was a little girl. Casie has owned horses her whole life and competed in English and Western riding and barrel racing. Casie says "My horses have given so much to me, and I wanted to find a way to give back to them -- this how I found acupressure. I have been fascinated by it and Chinese medicine ever since." Casie has also studied equine nutrition and learned what a key role nutrition plays in the health of our horses. She is a graduate of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and of Dr. Kellon’s NRC Plus and Nutrition as Therapy courses. | |
| Oregon: | |
Kim began her career in animal acupressure in 1999. Since then she has received dual certification in both large and small animal acupressure from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. Kim continued to study with Tallgrass and served as an assistant instructor for two years followed by co-teaching before becoming a full Tg Instructor. She is the Lead Instructor and Director of Student Activities for Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. She teaches courses and supports the Tallgrass participants by guiding them through the training program. As Lead Instructor, Kim teaches equine and small animal courses worldwide. Additionally, Kim holds certificates in both large and small animal massage from the Northwest School of Animal Massage. She has studied acupressure, massage and flower essences extensively with Diana Thompson of Hands-On Horse Care. Beginning in 2004, she has continued her study of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Sean Fannin of the Center for Traditional Health Arts. Recently, Kim attended the workshop “An Introduction to Clinical Application of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in Horses and Small Animals”. Other studies include; reiki, homeopathy, Chinese herbs, and equine neurological and muscle disorders. In 2005, Kim created her own business, Animal Ease Therapies, LLC. She works with clients to create individualized plans for each animal that blends her knowledge of acupressure, massage and flower essences. Many of her most rewarding clients are rehabilitation cases and geriatric animals. While the majority of her clients are horses, dogs and cats she also works on alpacas. | |
| Texas: | |
Anita has had a life-long love for animals, working with rescue, doing agility, and Animal Assisted Therapy. She is certified as both a Small Animal and Equine Acupressure Practitioner by Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and is the first Nationally Certified Canine Acupressure Practitioner by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM). She retired from a 30 year career in aviation to devote more time to her passion for working with animals and their people. She believes that companion animals come into our lives for a reason, often become our best teachers. She uses acupressure, massage and energy work, in a combined approach with your vet, to contribute to your animal's health and well-being, promoting physical, emotional and spiritual balance. She is also a graduate of the Wakepoint School of Energy Healing, a Sound Healer, Reiki Master and a graduate of Calif. State University at Long Beach. | |
| Wyoming: | |
In 2007 Laura had the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of working with horses. She studied and completed The Buster Harlow Equine Sports Therapy/Massage School. Feeling like she wanted to offer a more complete approach to alternative horse care, Laura continued her education in 2009. She enrolled in the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institutes 330 learning unit equine acupressure school. Laura passed her practicum in 2010 and completed all of the requirements for the course in early 2011. Laura is now currently a Certified Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute Practitioner. Additionally, she is nationally certified through the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM). Laura has also expanded her knowledge and completed the following courses: The NRC Plus Nutrition Course offered by Dr. Eleanor Kellon and Dr. Madalyn Wards Five Element Horse Personality Course. Laura was born and raised in Wyoming. She has spent the last 17 years in Cody with her husband, grown daughter, 3 Quarter horses, 2 rescued Rottweilers and a mutt. She is very familiar with the difficulties that horses face due to the Wyoming climate and wind. Laura welcomes all opportunities to help horses and their owners. She is available for consultation via phone or e-mail. Laura offers her services on site. She is set up to travel to barn or stable for appointments. She wants to ensure that the horse and owner are comfortable in their home environment. | |
