National Certification Exam

We offer certification exams in:

Equine Acupressure
Equine Massage
Canine Acupressure
Canine Massage

Passing our exam confers upon you the title of Nationally Board Certified Practitioner in your discipline, and is required in the state of Washington in order to practice animal massage.

Networking for Practitioners, Students & Schools

We offer opportunities to network with a community of animal practitioners, instructors, students and schools.

Through newsletters, forums, and member webinars, you can form a community with others that share your passions.

Legal Information

We are developing a database of state laws that affect animal massage and acupressure practitioners.

We also support members in states that are feeling the impacts of those laws, or that wish to change them.

Our 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 the 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.

Our Board

Lisa Ruthig
Past Chair

Thompson, CT

Lisa has a small animal and equine practice, Lively Animal Massage, in CT and MA. She is director of animal programs at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy (Doggone U).

Lola Michelin
Vice Chair

Vashon Island, WA

A founding member of NBCAAM, Lola is also founder and director of the Northwest School of Animal Massage. She has practiced animal massage for over 30 years, and human massage for 17.

Kim Kizzier Sherrodd
Chairperson

Devils Tower, WY

Kim has been practicing both human and animal bodywork and alternative care practices throughout the US since 1990. She founded The School of Applied Integrative Therapy, in order to share her experiences , excitement, skills and knowledge with others who wish for an incredible career option in animal bodywork.

Kim Bauer
Interim Treasurer- Past Chair

Parkdale, OR

Kim practices small animal and equine acupressure, massage and flower essence therapy through Animal Ease Therapies, LLC.. She is a past instructor for Tallgrass and is presently an instructor for Northwest School of Animal Massage.

Polly Klein
Member at Large

Issaquah, WA

Polly practices animal communication, Reiki, animal craniosacral therapy, and massage through Tonglen Healing Arts. She teaches Reiki and animal communication, and is an instructor for Bastyr University and The Northwest School of Animal Massage.

Christine Walker

Secretary
Omaha, NE

Christine is the owner of Walker Equine Therapiesand the Assistant Director of the School of Applied Integrative Therapy. She has a BS in Equine Business from Midway University and a Medical Massage Certificate from Blue Heron Academy.

Lisa Turcotte
Member at Large

Central Massachusetts

Lisa is the owner of Lisa Turcotte Equine Massage located in Central Massachusetts. In addition to her practice she is both the equine program administrator at the The Bancroft School of Massage Therapy and an instructor.

Sara May
NBCAAM Administrator

Virginia

Sara practices canine massage and acupressure at wholisticpawsvet.com in Virginia. She is also co-founder, lead instructor, and Director of Curriculum & Communications at canisbodyworks.com.

Our Advisory Board

Dr. Kevin Haussler

Dr. Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD, DACVSMR an Associate Professor at Lincoln Memorial University, is a leading researcher in musculoskeletal pain assessment, spinal pain management, and chiropractic techniques for animals. A charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, he teaches the Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification course at the University of Tennessee. In 2019, he launched an online educational program at VetCompendium.org to advance animal care through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.

Dr. Madalyn Ward

Madalyn Ward, DVM, graduated from Texas A&M University in 1980 and worked in equine practice until 1985, when she founded Bear Creek Veterinary Clinic in Austin, Texas. Since 1989, she has pursued training in alternative healing methods, including Veterinary Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Bowen Therapy, Network Chiropractic, and Equine Osteopathy. She has authored three books.

Linda Tellington-Jones

Linda founded the revolutionary Tellington TTouch® Training program which has helped the physical, mental, emotional and behavioral aspects of thousands of animals and humans around the world for decades.

Amy Snow

Founder of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, is the lead instructor for Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute Practitioner Certification Training Program, and, over the last 10 years, has taught throughout the United States, Canada, England, Israel, and Australia. She is a founding board member of NBCAAM.

Nancy Zidonis

Founder of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, is one of the pioneers in the field of animal acupressure. Over 20 years ago, she worked with a veterinarian and an acupressure practitioner to develop a system to use transpositional acupressure meridians and points for the benefit of horses and, a few years later, for dogs.

Suzanne Clothier

Suzanne has been working with animals professionally since 1977, with a deep background of experience that includes obedience, agility, puppy testing, breeding, Search and Rescue, conformation, instructing, kennel management and canine midwifery. She is well respected for her holistic Relationship Centered Training™ approach to dogs and the people that love them. Suzanne is an award winning author of videos, books, booklets, and numerous articles and has taught world-wide.

Past Advisory Board

Dr. Julie Mayer

Dr. Mayer has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years. She has dedicated most of her career to holistic medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Julie owned Integrative Pet Care and operated Therapet, two rehabilitation and holistic centers in Illinois. Dr Mayer was named one of "Chicago's Best Vets" by Chicago Magazine and received the 2010 Iams Eukanuba AARV award for excellence in the field of Veterinary Rehabilitation.

Dr. Richard Pitcairn