About Us

RMSAAM Mission: To bring massage to as many animals as possible by offering responsible, licensed and comprehensive animal massage and acupressure certification programs.

Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage is located at the base of the rocky mountains, an inspirational setting for learning the art of massage and acupressure for animals. Bring your dog or work on one of ours, practice on one of our friendly rescue horses and make new friends. Licensed and Regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools. This licensing is part of our effort to provide a high quality educational program at the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage.group of practitioners dedicated to upholding the highest standards of practice in the industry. For this reason, students seek out our program from around the country... and around the world.

Click HERE to request our Satellite Clinic Information Package and hold a clinic at your location.

 

Why the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure And Massage?

Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage offers a wide range of courses in animal massage, acupressure, reiki, essential oils, animal communication and more. We are proud of our offerings and our legacy.

All RMSAAM faculty members are educated professionals with extensive training, fieldwork and teaching experience. Additionally, we require all of our instructors to be licensed and credentialed by the state of Colorado as teaching professionals. Each teacher brings their own experiences and approach to the classroom while abiding by RMSAAM's strict set of teaching standards and curriculum to create a dynamic environment, consistent program and the highest of standards for our profession.

When you join the RMSAAM team, you become part of a supportive and professional group of practitioners who are passionate about their practice and the well-being of animals.

Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage (RMSAAM) is licensed and regulated by the Colorado Department of Continuing Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools.

 

Lisa B. Speaker, Founder and Program Director

“Becoming certified in Animal Acupressure Massage was when I started following my true calling. I took my Basset Hound Betty with me and we stayed there in a little apartment and studied together. Betty is my inspiration and my most lovable, willing subject!”

Lisa founded Dogma in 2002 when she divided her time between treating animals, teaching classes and developing educational materials for enthusiasts and professionals. Her interest in complementary healthcare for animals stems from her life-long love for and interest in animals, their welfare and well-being.

Lisa is an Advisory Council Member of IAAMB, The International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork, and a founder of CAAMB, Colorado Association of Animal Massage and bodyworkers. Lisa is also a member of IAAMT, International Association of Animal Massage Therapists and Founder of the non-profit, Colorado Alliance for Animal Owner's Rights.

Prior to founding Dogma, Lisa produced and directed educational programming, training and commercial videos in Boston, MA. Upon moving to Denver, Lisa became a Personal Fitness Trainer and triathlete, completing a half-ironman. Shortly thereafter, Lisa traveled to California to pursue her true calling, an education in Animal Acupressure andMassage. The training and anatomy courses required as a fitness trainer served her well as she began her study of animal acupressure and massage. During her studies Lisa identified a lack of educational materials for students and began authoring a workbook on canine acupressure. Lisa has also produced videos on equine and canine massage and developed several acupressure charts. Lisa is also a graduate of Equissage and a member of IAAMT.

Upon award of licensing by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Lisa founded The Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage. The Dogma Inc(www.denverdogma.com) mission became more focused toward providing resources, information and retail products for pet owners allowing the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage (RMSAAM) to flourish in it's ability to educate practitioners.

Today, Lisa runs the day to day operations of the school, works on legislation to further credibility for the practice of Animal Massage and is enjoying learning reigning with her new reigner "Rudy". In 2008 Lisa and her husband Ron wlecomed a new puppy, Madeline, to their family and very sadly said good-bye to her beloved Betty, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage. There is a monument at the Carbondale location in honor of Miss Betty's many contributions tO the success of the school.

Mary Brickner, Program Co-ordinator and Instructor

In 2004 Mary decided to devote herself full time to her passion for working with animals. A Certified PetmassageTM Practitioner, Mary owns and operates "Inner Puppy", a mobile canine massage service. She incorporates acupressure, sports massage, essential oils, flower essences and energy work to help dogs with varying illnesses and emotional issues.

Prior to moving to Denver, Mary owned "Lunch with a Llama", a Llama outfitting business offering hiking trips during the summer at Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs, CO. She was caretaker for an Arabian horse ranch and she worked with the Colorado Animal Rescue shelter in Glenwood Springs.

Mary is also certified in the Komitor Method of Healing Touch for Animals, Canine and Equine, Level 1 and she is a Master Animal Practitioner graduate of the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage. She is an active member of the IAAMB and CAAMB (International and Colorado Associations of Animal Massage and Body Work).

She shares her home in Northwest Denver with her dog Teddy (on the left)and her husband. Mattie, the dog on the right passed in 2008. She is gone but never forgotten.

 

Beth Pelosa, Instructor, Acupressure Levels 1 & 2

Beth is a Certified Equine and Canine Acupressure Practitioner, Animal Acupressure Instructor, and owner of Equine Energy Works, LLC. In addition to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupressure, Beth has also studied Dr. McLaren's Photonic Light Therapy and other vibrational healing modalities including equine massage, Bach Flower Remedies therapy, floral acupressure and aromatherapy. Beth believes in a balanced approach to animal health care including good nutritional support, exercise, natural training techniques and regular preventative maintenance acupressure and vibrational energy work. Beth's passion is teaching animal owners and caregivers TCM and animal acupressure to help them support their animal's health and experience the strong bond and cooperative partnership energy work creates with animals.

 

Sharon Sterk, Instructor

Sharon is a Master Animal Practitioner Graduate of the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage. She is also a Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher and is our resident Anatomy Extroardinaire expert. Prior to studying with and consequently joining the staff at RMSAAM, Sharon worked at Nantucket Animal Shelter, taught art at the University level and has been very involved (and is still) with several animal rescue groups. Sharon lives in Denver with her three dogs, Dexter, Houdini and Emma. She divides her time between teaching for RMSAAM and running her own dog massage business