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Fox News and Tom Martino, Consumer Advocate story on Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage. See the video on the RMSAAM YouTube page. 

In Horse Harmony Podcast featuring Lisa Speaker on how to enhance your horses well-being. Part 1 on May 16, 2007. Part 2 on June 7, 2008. Visit www.inhorseharmony.com to listen or at Reach Out To Horses.

Get Political For Your Animals and Know Your Rights Julie Lewin, President of National Institute For Animal Advocacy and author of “Get Political For Animals and Win The Laws They Need!”

Listen to her simple, yet effective method for winning or defeating laws.

In the second half of the show leaders of the AZ, CO and FL Associations For Animal Owners Rights (including Lisa Speaker) will speak about the legislative process and the bills they have proposed. 

Check out Lisa Speaker’s article on Acupressure For Companion Animals in the September 2007 issue of Colorado Dog Magazine. 

NewsTeam Boulder, CO 4/26/07

A trip to the veterinarian is not the only option for dogs with aches, pains, or stress. Now, aromatherapy with a hint of lavender or a half hour massage may do the trick.

At the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage, Lisa Speaker is teaching students everything from massage and aromatherapy to animal communication and the use of ancient healing crystals.

The techniques used are designed to do more than pamper pets. According to Speaker, the alternative therapies can help release toxins, maintain flexibility, and help older dogs regain their youthful spirit. Speaker said some of the therapies also help abandoned dogs reconnect with people.

“Massage is a good way to get them not being afraid of being touched anymore,” Speaker said.

While some veterinarians confirm the benefits of canine massages, the issue of who can and should perform massages is widely debated. Current Colorado law requires massage therapists to be under the supervision of a veterinarian when giving a massage.

Although veterinarians want to maintain control over medically treating and diagnosing pets, they are willing to admit and recognize the benefits of some alternative therapies.

Acupuncture can only be administered by certified veterinarians and is commonly used as complementary treatment in conjunction with medication.

“Here in Boulder it’s very common,” said Dr. Jennifer Bolser, a veterinarian at the Boulder Valley Humane Society, “You know there’s a lot of vets who do it because there’s a demand for it and there’s people who know about it and want it for their pets.”

At the Boulder Valley Humane Society, 60 percent of the veterinarians are certified in acupuncture. It has been practiced on animals in America since the 1970s and is not confined to the Boulder area. It is commonly used for relieving stiff joints or pain from surgery.

Dr. Bolser said acupuncture is used because there is scientific evidence to support its effect on treating animals, although she said she is skeptical about other forms of animal holistic healing.

“I think there’s a lot of the aromatherapy out there that I don’t know really has much effect. There actually was a study recently that showed lavender can decrease stress levels in animals”, Bolser said.

While many holistic therapies lack scientific proof of improving pet health, Speaker said it should the responsibility of the pet owner, not the veterinarian, to decide which types of therapies to use on their pets.

Speaker wrote a bill to amend the Colorado Veterinary Practice Act to allow massage therapists to do their jobs with the approval of the pet owner, without being overseen by a veterinarian. The bill was killed in the Colorado State Senate last month with much dissent coming from veterinarians.

Speaker plans to revise the bill and present it again in 2008.

If you missed the interview on November 28th at 7pm MST, check back for the audio file of Dr. Shawn’s interview with Lisa Speaker of the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage to be posted soon. Dr. Messonier and Lisa discussed everything from massage to animal owners rights.

From the October 21, 2005 print edition Street Talk Column

There’s the rub

Are the pressures of lying around all day just too much for Rover? Is your doggie still concerned about running into the kitchen cabinets as he chases the miniature stagecoach?

Dogma Inc. offers a unique educational component, the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage. It combines “traditional Chinese medicine with massage for a holistic approach to caring for animals,” and it’s meant specifically for dogs and horses. The big news is that Dogma Inc. obtained its state license from the Department of Education to conduct a certification program for those who want to do this as a profession. The course takes more than 100 hours, and cost $1,300 to $2,300, depending on the program. Lisa Speaker teaches the classes, meant for application to dogs and horses. The latter classes happen at the Horse Rescue League in Golden. She also offers classes of between one and six hours to pet owners who just want to learn the basics; that costs between $25 and $150.

Dogma is at 3760 S. Lipan St. in Englewood.

Info: 303-669-4227 or www.denverdogma.com.

Denver, CO, August 31, 2005: On August 25th, local company, Dogma Inc, received licensing by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools. Dogma has named it’s new educational division, Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage. “This is something we have been working towards for a long time. This licensing further shows our commitment to providing a high quality educational program for our students” said Lisa Speaker, Program Director for The Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure Massage, also referred to as RMSAAM. The RMSAAM program combines Traditional Chinese Medicine with massage for a holistic approach to caring for animals. The curriculum combines correspondence studies, classroom work and hands-on experience with dogs and horses. RMSAAM teaches their equine portion at The Horse Rescue League as one of their efforts to give back to the animal community.

Speaker has been teaching Animal Acupressure Massage in Denver for over two years. She is also a teacher for The Animal Acupressure Training Center in Nevada City, CA.

For a full listing of programs, classes, costs and schedules please visit www.denverdogma.com and click on Certification or contact Lisa Speaker at 303-669-4227.

Denver, CO, March 10, 2005: In early March a combination of pet owners and health care professionals completed the hands-on training required to become a Certified Animal Acupressure Massage Therapist, CAAMT. “Five days of training with Lisa Speaker left me feeling invigorated, inspired and educated. What a wonderful experience!” said Sally Linn of Howard, CO. “Lisa made the class fun and very educational . I loved working with both dogs and horses” said Chris Anderson of Kittredge, CO. These students complete a 100 hour, combined at-distance and hands-on, Animal Acupressure Massage Certification Program that is offered by Lisa Speaker of Dogma and The Animal Acupressure and Massage Training Center in Nevada City, CA. The next series of classes are schedule for June 9-12 and will take place at Dogma’s offices at the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group (CRCG) at 3760 S. Lipan in Englewood.

Lisa Speaker of Dogma has been teaching Canine Acupressure Massage for over two years. She is certified in Animal Acupressure Massage, co-author of The Canine Acupressure Workbook and produced and directed “Basic Dog Massage” which is available on VHS and DVD. Lisa’s goal is to bring Acupressure Massage to more animals by educating others. “Complementary therapies that encourage the dog’s own healing process have become more common and are not only accepted, but encouraged, by pet owners and veterinarians alike” says Speaker.

For registration information, fees and application please contact Lisa Speaker at lisa@denverdogma.com or 303-669-4227.