July 30, 2010

7th Annual Educational Conference (2010)

 

7th Annual IAAMB Educational Conference (2010) CANCELED

7th Annual IAAMB Educational Conference / Webinar

Fri, Sat and Sun, April 9-11, 2010

This conference will be held live, in Toledo, Ohio.

This year you have the option to participate in the Saturday, April 10th. 11-7 EST one-day webinar

Register online or by phone 800-903-9350. Outside the US, 419-464-8922.

Conference Events at a glance

Friday, April 9

Live demonstrations of canine, equine and feline massage. Many canine massage students have never had the opportunity to observe an equine or feline massage. Many equine massage practitioners have no idea how beneficial massage is for dogs and cats. And canine and feline massage people are often curious about working with horses. So here are your opportunities to see what the others are doing.

Moderated, open discussion groups similar to the ones that were so instructive in Seattle

Annual dinner and General Meeting

Saturday, April 10

Webinar and live conference viewing

You have a choice of attending at home in front of your computer, or at the group viewing in Toledo. Long distance webinar participation will give you the essence of the Saturday presentations, but not the hands-on benefits of observing masters demonstrating their skills or the opportunities to get to know them. You will also miss out on the priceless networking that is the value-added component of our conferences The presentations will all be webcast from the IAAMB/PetMassage headquarters.

On-site discussions with the speakers and fellow attendees after lectures

We encourage you to attend in person. However, if this is not possible, this year you have a less expensive long distance option.

Saturday Presenters: 45 minute Webinar presentations

11:00-11:45 AM EST Ken Bain, from Houston, Texas, shares some of his insights on Canine Trigger Point Therapy.

12 Noon-12:45 PM Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis, from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in Colorado share insights on their favorite topic: Animal Acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

1:00-2:00 PM Lunch break

2:00-2:45 PM Sage Lewis, from Minneapolis, MN, discusses Tellington TTouch® Balancing the Body, Mind and Spirit Through Touch and Movement.

3:00-3:45 PM Jeff Varga, from Cleveland, OH, has just had an epiphany that has raised his skill level several notches. Jeff will tell us about Equine massage and the Tennessee Artichoke, raising your skill level equine/canine massage.

4:00-4:45 PM Beth Iler and Judy Gaetje, natives of Canton, OH, describe the opening and operations of their new canine water therapy facility Healing Waters Canine Experience.

5:00-5:45 PM Thom Somes, "The Pet Safety Guy"™, from Carlsbad, CA, discusses Knowing your Pet's Health: the Five Components of Optimal Wellness.

6:00-7:00 PM Jonathan Rudinger, IAAMB/ACWT President, leads closing discussions, offers final remarks, and "live from Toledo, it's the IAAMB, doing what it does best: promoting the worldwide growth and development of animal massage and bodywork!"

Sunday Workshop, April 11

Thom Somes, the Pet Safety Guy

Teaches his 8-hour Pet Saver course. Learn the skills of restraining and muzzling, primary assessment, rescue breathing, canine and feline CPR, choking, bleeding and shock management, snout to tail assessment for injury and wellness, and assessing the pet's vitals. Lecture: Handbook pet first aide contents. Lecture: insect bites and stings and snake bites, heat and cold injuries, seizures, caring for your pet-izen. There is an additional fee of $150 (IAAMB member price) for this workshop; all texts are included in the fees. This is a great course! It will also be a very convenient and a valuable experience for everyone who attends the conference in Toledo. We will only be able to accommodate a maximum of 40 people, so please sign up early. The workshop will be at the IAAMB/PetMassage headquarters/school at 3347 McGregor Lane, Toledo, 43623.

If you need assistance or suggestions for Toledo area hotel accommodations, we will be happy to email our IAAMB Travel Information brochure to you.

Learn more about our speakers and their Webinar presentations:

Ken Bain, from Houston, Texas, spoke at the 6th Annual IAAMB Conference in Seattle.Ken Bain, from Houston, Texas, spoke at the 6th Annual IAAMB Conference in Seattle.

Canine Clinical Trigger Point Therapy.

Ken Bain, LMT, will discuss canine clinical trigger point therapy and its application. The discussion will include the definition of a trigger point, the potential causes of trigger points, the dysfunctions that can be induced by trigger points, how to release a trigger point, and finally the clinical approach to determining and treating trigger points. Ken developed this method while working with hundreds of canine athletes, modeling it after the research done by David Simons, MD and Janet Travell, MD. These techniques will be demonstrated Friday during the hands-on portion of the conference for those joining us in Toledo. The discussion portion of the program will be done on Saturday as part of the webinar.

Ken is a Texas Licensed Massage Therapist, specializing in clinical trigger point therapy. He is a rocket scientist by day and a human/canine/equine massage therapist by evening and weekends. Ken has also spent the last 16 years training and competing in dog sports (flyball, agility, Frisbee, and search work). This sports foundation has allowed Ken a unique perspective on canine massage. His canine practice is almost exclusively sporting dogs. The canine sports market is exciting and profitable. This market seems to be weathering the economic storm well, producing more clients than time allows. Working at dog shows and training centers in Texas alone have produced a broad client base as far away as Belgium and Canada, as well as throughout the United States.

Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis, founders of the Tallgrass School in Colorado: Amy and Nancy were presenters at our inaugural IAAMB Conference in Toledo, OH.

Animal Acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine

The goal of practicing acupressure is to restore, replenish, and maintain the natural harmony and balance needed in animal and human bodies to create optimal health and well-being.

Conventional western and eastern medicines' scientific studies and clinical observation have proven that acupressure can:

  • Relieve muscle spasms
  • Build the immune system
  • Benefit chronic health issues
  • Strengthen muscles, tendons, joints, and bones
  • Balance energy to optimize the body's natural ability to heal
  • Release natural cortisone to reduce swelling and inflammation
  • Release endorphins necessary to increase energy or relieve pain
  • Enhance mental clarity and calm required for focus in training and performance
  • Resolve injuries more readily by increasing the blood supply and removing toxins
Amy Snow , founder of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, is the co-author of Equine

Amy Snow, founder of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, is the co-author of Equine

Acupressure: A Working Manual, The Well-Connected Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure and, Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure. Amy 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 began her career in acupressure in the 1970's studying with Jin Shin Jyutsu, a Japanese form of acupressure. She studied Traditional Chinese Medicine at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine (IICM) in Denver, Colorado. Very recently, Amy studied at the Chi Institute directed by Dr. Huisheng Xie, the leading veterinary Chinese Medicine Doctor in the US. These courses included: Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tui Na, Chinese Herbs, and Food as Medicine.

Amy is a Certified Acupressure Practitioner from the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California. Over the years she has taken numerous clinics and courses in complementary healthcare and animal-related study, including; Feldenkrais; Reiki; Master Hong Qi Gong; Tellington Touch; herbal remedies; High Touch Network Training; dog training and showing skills; dog-language with Turid Rugaas; years of riding and working with horses, and most recently, Traditional Chinese Medicine at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Denver, Colorado. She has brought this training to work with animals.

As the co-author of numerous articles for national and international publications, Amy has helped to expand the awareness of animal acupressure. She is a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB). Tallgrass has served the human and animal community for almost 20 years through acupressure manuals, meridian charts, videos and extensive Hands-on and Online training programs. We are constantly expanding our programs and products to increase everyone's knowledge of acupressure and other forms of energetic medicine. Our intent is to provide the best learning tools and training programs to give animal guardians, trainers, and healthcare practitioners access to this powerful healing modality.

 

Nancy Zidonis, founder of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute

Nancy Zidonis, founder of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, is one of the pioneers in the field of animal acupressure. Over 19 years ago, she worked with a veterinarian and an acupressure practitioner to develop the system of transpositional acupressure meridians and points for horses and, a few years later, for dogs. After thorough study and careful documentation, Nancy wrote her first handbooks entitled, Equine Acupressure, A Treatment Work Book and Canine Acupressure, A Treatment Work Book. Nancy went on to develop training clinics for people interested in caring for their horses and dogs using acupressure. She has continued to expand and refine the training programs both online and hands-on and teaches worldwide.

Nancy and Amy Snow collaborated on an expanded edition of Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual which will be in its 5th edition in the fall of 2007. They also co-authored The Well-Connected Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure, and, Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure. She is responsible for the creation and publication of a series of animal acupressure meridian charts which highlight key acupressure points on each meridian.

Most recently, Nancy has authored and produced three new DVDs and educational programs: Introduction to Equine Acupressure; Equine Landmark Anatomy& Acupoint Energetics; and, Canine Landmark Anatomy & Acupoint Energetics.

Nancy has studied Traditional Chinese Medicine at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Denver, Colorado. She holds a certificate in AMMA Massage and is a graduate of the British Institute of Homeopathy with an emphasis in animals. In 2007, Nancy attended courses at the Chi Institute directed by Dr. Huisheng Xie, the leading veterinary Chinese Medicine Doctor in the US. These courses included: Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tui Na, Chinese Herbs, Food as Medicine.Other studies include: Reiki – Second Degree; Medical Qi Gong with Master Haung Lo and Dahn Hok. Nancy was a Founding Member of the Board of the International Alliance of Animal Therapy and Healing (IAATH) and a current member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork. Additionally, she is Adjunct Faculty at Hocking College in Their Equine Alternative Therapies Certificate Program.

Nancy co-authors articles for publications worldwide such as: Equine Wellness, Animal Wellness, Holistic Horse, Natural Horse, The Whole dog Journal, Animal Fair, and many others.

Sage Lewis, from Minneapolis, MN, was a presenter at our inaugural IAAMB Conference in Toledo, OH.Sage Lewis, from Minneapolis, MN, was a presenter at our inaugural IAAMB Conference in Toledo, OH.

Tellington TTouch® Balancing the Body, Mind and Spirit Through Touch and Movement

For over 40 years, Tellington TTouch® has been used with a variety of animals (and people!) with varying behavioral, emotional and health issues. Join Sage Lewis for a fun, educational and interactive session that will leave you feeling empowered. You will learn some simple techniques to help your pet overcome their fears, shift behavior, reduce stress, improve performance, health and well being, and improve the wonderful bond you already have with your pet!

Sage Lewis is the Creature Teacher with Dancing Porcupine and is a Level 3 Certified Tellington TTouch® Practitioner, Certified Life Coach, Animal Communicator and Shamanic Practitioner.

Sage is the host of the radio show, The Pet Playground on AM950-KTNF (Sundays at 6pm Central) and is the author of JAVA: The True Story of a Shelter Dog Who Rescued a Woman.

 

Jeff Varga, Cleveland, OHJeff Varga, Cleveland, OH

Equine massage and the Tennessee Artichoke, raising your skill level equine/canine massage

Jeff is The Trotting Troubadour, animal massage practitioner and musician. Jeff has been working steadily for the past 10 years in equine modalities including massage and acupressure as well as anatomy, horsemanship with Harry Whitney, hoof care with Pete Ramey and Dr. Bob Bowker and saddle fitting with local fitters.

Beth Iler and Judy Gaetje, Canton, OH

Healing Waters Canine Experience

Beth Iler is a Certified PetMassage WaterWork Practitioner

Beth Iler is a Certified PetMassage WaterWork Practitioner through the PetMassage Training and Research Institute in Toledo, Ohio. She is a professional member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Body Work and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Beth has professionally trained Assistance Dogs for 10 years and has attended numerous animal behavioral seminars. She has rescued and trained over 100 dogs during her career. Beth continues to train her own dogs; Camee, her Golden Retriever and Lexi and Piper her two Chihuahuas.

 

Judy Gaetje is a Certified PetMassage WaterWork Practitioner

Judy Gaetje is a Certified PetMassage WaterWork Practitioner through the PetMassage Training and Research Institute in Toledo, Ohio. She is a professional member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Body Work and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Judy supervised a nationally recognized Assistance Dog program for 11 years and attended numerous animal oriented workshops. During her career, she has placed many Assistance Dog teams in the Stark County area. Judy resides with her two Golden Retrievers, Truman and Riley and her rescued Greyhound, Greyson. She has earned CPE Agility titles with Truman and is very active with volunteer work throughout her community.

Thom Somes, "The Pet Safety Guy"™, Carlsbad, CAThom Somes, "The Pet Safety Guy"™, Carlsbad, CA

Knowing Your Pet's Health: the 5 Components of Optimal Wellness

Thom Somes, is President and Founder of Pet Tech, the premier Pet CPR, First Aid & Care Training in North America. He will present the 5 Components of Optimal Wellness as described in his book, Knowing Your Pet's Health, A Guide For Optimal Wellness From Snout-to-Tail.

As the number one advocate promoting pet safety, education and wellness, Thom is dedicated to "improving the quality of pets' lives, one pet owner at a time™".

Thom's programs create a link in the chain of care from pet parent to veterinarian, supporting increased survivability for pets. To date, Thom has taught tens-of-thousands of Pet Owners and Pet Care Professionals the life saving skills of pet CPR and First Aid. Pet Tech has a network of over 400 Instructors teaching the Pet Tech Family of Programs. Pet Tech's trainings, workshops, and books have helped to save the lives of thousands of pets, and have brought joy to countless pet parents everywhere.

Thom is an accomplished speaker, presenter, instructor and author of the PetSaver™ Program. His book, Knowing Your Pet's Health, A Guide for Optimal Wellness from Snout-To-Tail is the foundation of "The Million Petizen Rally" which is raising 1 million dollars for pet charities.

He passionately delivers keynote speeches. And he has developed relationships with pet advocates the world over to spread his message of health and wellness for our furry, four-legged family members. Together Pet Tech and "The Pet Safety Guy™" have built an enduring and solid presence in the Pet Care Industry.

Knowing Your Pet's Health

The five components are Human/Animal Bond, Snout-To-Tail Assessment & Vitals, Nutrition & H20, Supplementation and Exercise. Most of you are probably already doing 3 of these and getting good results. If you are doing 4 of the 5, then you are probably getting great results. The thing is, if you are doing all 5 then you will get incredible results.

In this 45 minute edutaining presentation, by Thom Somes, "The Pet Safety Guy", you will learn in a fun and informative way what the 5 Components are and how to use each one of them to educate and inform your clients (and yourself) on how to better care for their furry four-legged family members." You will walk away with valuable information and techniques that you can use on a daily basis.

BONUS: Attendees both present and online will receive a FREE Pet Tech Snout-To-Tail Worksheet and a coupon for a discount on a signed copy of the book, "Knowing Your Pet's Health, A Guide For Optimal Wellness From Snout-to-Tail."

Jonathan Rudinger, IAAMB/ACWT President, Toledo OHJonathan Rudinger, IAAMB/ACWT President, Toledo OH

Master of Ceremonies

Jonathan Rudinger, RN, and Massage Therapist, Licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board, has been instrumental in the development and acceptance of canine massage since the mid-1990's. He had facilitated over 200 monthly PetMassageTM and PetMassage WaterWorkTM training workshops at the PetMassageTM school in Toledo, Ohio. His work has attracted animal healthcare professionals from all over the world to travel to Toledo to study with him. Jonathan's home-study courses have helped many thousands of pet guardians and their lucky dogs, who, with PetMassageTM, achieve more balance and grace in their lives. An authority on massage for dogs, Jonathan has been interviewed on Nat'l Public Radio, major radio and national television and cable networks, has been a featured presenter at the Crufts Show in the UK, and is currently a featured presenter at HH Backer Pet Industry Conferences and Expositions. He has been featured in Massage Magazine, Massage & Bodywork, Massage Therapy Journal, Massage Today, Whole Dog Journal, Animal Wellness Magazine, Dog Fancy, Naturaldog, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and AARP Magazine.

Jonathan is founder and president of the IAAMB and president of the ACWT, the Association for Canine Water Therapy; and in these capacities is proud to be the master of ceremonies for this International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork's 7th Annual Educational Conference.

Webinar IT Manager

Todd Humphrey, Toledo, OHTodd Humphrey, Toledo, OH, is the expert who is helping us bring this IAAMB webinar from concept to virtual reality.

Todd has been involved with computers and the Internet his whole life. Having experience in many computer related fields has enabled him to have a well-rounded understanding of technology. Todd is a self-motivated, self-taught individual with a formal degree in CSET from the University of Toledo. Here are some highlights of his journey:

  • Owned and operated an online DVD media sales company.
  • Founded, developed, and operated a startup website to buy and sell textbooks locally.
  • Senior Web Developer of a startup social network (circulou) focused in Brazil.
  • Co-founder and Director of Development for i plan IT www.iplanitglobal.com

Sunday Workshop, April 11, 8 am - 5 pm EST

We are pleased to offer this special 8-hour workshop at the PetMassage/IAAMB Headquarters/school, Toledo, OH.

The fee for this workshop is $150.00 (for IAAMB members) in addition to conference.

PetTech CPR, First Aid and Care for Your Pets, with Thom Somes
Maximum 40 students.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 1-out-of-4 more pets would survive, if just one pet first aid technique was applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.

Our PetSaver™ Program is an eight hour course that will cover the following topics. Additionally, the class includes our PetSaver™ handbook, and upon successful completion each participant will receive a certificate.

The PetSaver™ Program covers the following topics:

Skill: Restraining & Muzzling "Any pet that is in pain or is going to be moved into pain, can and will bite."
PetSaver Handbook
Hands-on Skill Practice

Skill: Primary Assessment "In the first 15-25 seconds of you being on the scene you will know what to do and what actions to take." PetSaver Handbook
Hands-on Skill Practice

Skill: Rescue Breathing "The pet patient had a heartbeat but is not breathing"
PetSaver Handbook
Hands-on Skill Practice

Skill: Canine & Feline CPR "The pet patient has no heart beat and is not breathing."
PetSaver Handbook
Hands-on Skill Practice

Skill: Choking Management Conscious Choking, Unconscious Choking (Witnessed & Found)
Hands-on Skill Practice

Skill: Bleeding & Shock Management Restraint, Muzzle, Elevation, Direct Pressure, Pressure Points,
Immobilization, Shock Management & Transportation.
Hands-on Skill Practice

One of the skills we teach is the Snout-to-Tail Assessment. Read how this saved one pet's life...

A pet owner who took our class loved her little dog because she did her homework assignment of the Snout-to-Tail Assessment. Where you go from Snout-to-Tail with deliberate intent and purpose creating a baseline of your pet's health. Also, so that you know more of what is normal for your pet, so you can more quickly recognize what is not normal for your pet. She found mammary tumors growing on her dog. She took her to the vet, who confirmed the diagnosis. Luckily she caught it early enough that treatment was successful. However, the vet did tell her that if she had let that go just another five or six months, the outcome may not have been as good. This simple skill that can take only a few minutes added thousands of minutes to this pet's life.

When I tell this story in the classroom, some people wonder how she didn't notice the mammary tumors in the first place. The thing is that she never really put her hands on her dog, from Snout-to-Tail, with deliberate intent and purpose, like we teach in the class. She said she would come home from work, make her dog dinner, have dinner herself, her dog would sit on her lap and she would pet it.

Register for the 2010 7th Annual IAAMB Educational Conference/Webinar and the Sunday, PetTech CPR, First Aid and Care for Your Pets, Workshop.