The Elemental Acupressure
Certification Program
A complete professional training pathway for working with animals
through Five Element acupressure, EnergyWork™, and the Elemental Matrix Method™.
For animal professionals and dedicated caregivers who know there’s insight hiding beneath the surface.
⭐ Training & mentoring since 1993 ⭐ Trusted in 40+ countries ⭐
⭐ Rooted in Classical East Asian Medicine ⭐
“Students describe the Elemental Matrix Method™ as putting on glasses for the first time. Everything snaps into focus – you see the WHY behind symptoms, behavioral issues, and performance concerns. And once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it.”
IS THIS YOU?
You’re already feeling the edges of a limit in your animal care:
- Cases that don’t fully resolve — no matter how skilled your work is
- Sensitive or reactive animals who don’t respond the way they “should”
- Sessions where you’re doing good work… but not getting consistent results
- Moments where you feel like you’re guessing or piecing things together after the fact
- A quiet sense that there’s a deeper pattern… but no clear way to read it
You’re not missing talent or dedication. You’re missing a framework that shows you what’s actually happening underneath the surface… a framework that gives you a plan of how to help.
More than just techniques. More than just theory.
A whole new way to understand and help animals.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
Other programs give you one-size-fits-all techniques to apply or theory to memorize.
(We’re not exaggerating. We’ve seen the training manuals of the other programs, ones whose names you’d recognize, and well? It’s… surprising.)
The result? You can do good work – but you still hit limits. That’s because techniques alone don’t tell you WHY to use them. Symptom-based recipes keep you reacting instead of understanding the cause. Even talented practitioners like you plateau without a deeper lens.
That’s because a reactive dog and a panicky sensitive one need completely different approaches. The flighty horse and the shut-down one require entirely different acupoints, different plans, different training. One-size-fits-all doesn’t just miss the mark – it misses the animal.
That’s where the frustration comes from.
You’re skilled. You care. You’re working hard. But you still can’t quite reach certain animals.
Know this: You aren’t the limit – it’s the method that’s limited.
“When you have a framework that reveals the whole integrated pattern – when you see what is driving the issues – everything changes. Forever.”
READY TO SEE YOUR WORK WITH ANIMALS TRANSFORMED?
Before This Work:
- You manage behavior
- You treat symptoms
- You use recipes for EVERY animal
- You try approaches and hope something sticks
- You meet animals who leave you at the edge of a cliff — with no bridge
After This Work:
- You recognize the pattern driving everything
- You know where to start — and why
- You CUSTOMIZE your work to the individual
- You work with clarity, not guesswork
- You have the bridge: insight, practical tools, and customized protocols that change everything
The Elemental Matrix Method™ gives MORE than just hands on techniques and a bunch of random acupoint recipes to memorize. The Five Elements give you the insight to recognize what’s actually driving an animal’s challenges – at the core –then we give you the tools to do something about it — whether that’s our signature approach to acupressure and EnergyWork™ or the professional expertise you already bring.
This is not a replacement for what you know. It’s the framework that unifies everything you know — and makes it work better.
Psst: Yeah, we know. It’s a big promise. But again and again our students insist that learning our method changed their life – not just their work but also their LIFE. That’s their words, not ours.
Meet Your Guide: Susan Tenney, Co-founder of Elemental Acupressure
⭐ 33 Years of Teaching, Mentoring, and Practicing
⭐ 40+ Countries of Students and Practicing Graduates
⭐ 1000s of Students and Animals served including the United States and Swiss Equestrian Teams
⭐ Countless magazine articles, podcasts + a book in two languages
⭐ Infinite magical moments shared with animals and their people
Susan Tenney is the kind of teacher who helps you feel capable while you are still learning. Her approach is enthusiastic, deeply respectful of the animals, and grounded in the belief that profound work should also be accessible.
Susan’s signature method developed over three decades of global mentoring and training. She’s worked with professionals and amateurs at all levels – from elite equestrian performers on the United States Equestrian Team and world class veterinarians to dedicated animal lovers.
Students often say they came for techniques… and stayed for the life-changing insight and clarity. They leave with a transformative framework for helping animals that empowers them to analyze, understand, and work more confidently in every real-world session they encounter.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Chinese medical theory — or discouraged by teachers who made it needlessly confusing — you’ll appreciate Susan’s rare gift for making the complex feel learnable. Her style is step by step, with warmth, depth, and consistently high standards
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
What This Means For You
Many of our students say: “I studied acupressure before — even Five Element Acupressure — but I found it confusing, too complex. Susan changed all of that.“
Susan doesn’t just make the theory more accessible — she’s known for teaching the practical implementation so that even advanced skills are surprisingly learnable. You don’t spend years trying to “figure it out.” You are guided step-by-step so you can see patterns clearly and how to help the animals in your care.
Many students begin recognizing meaningful patterns within days — not years — and start working with a level of clarity they didn’t think was possible that quickly.
This is not a sink-or-swim training. Wherever you begin, you’ll be welcomed, guided, and supported as you grow into the practitioner you’re here to become.
THE CONNECTION
You’ve Found Your People
This is not a beginner-level “add a technique” training. This is where dedicated beginners and capable practitioners become the ones people turn to when cases get complex, when there are puzzles no one can solve. You’re the ones committed to helping animals who exhaust or confuse other trainers and health care providers – the animals that others have shrugged their shoulders about and insisted they don’t know what else to do.
Here’s the community you’ve been waiting for. It’s filled with people – like you – are determined to crack even the toughest cases with elevated insight, skills, and creativity.
✅ This program is for you if…
- You work with animals professionally — or are deeply committed to starting
- You want to see beneath the surface and have real answers for what you find
- You value frameworks that guide creative decision-making, not rigid recipes
- You want effective techniques AND profound understanding
- You prefer thoughtful, holistic, individualized approaches
❌ This may not be for you if…
- You’re looking for quick fixes or one-size-fits-all protocols
- You prefer to work in conventional approaches where you don’t need to be creative
- You prefer recipe-based methods over adaptive frameworks
- You want purely technical or purely theoretical training – sensory learning is not your thing
- You’re not interested in reflective, pattern-based learning
THE COMMUNITY
Who The Certification Program is Designed For
The Elemental Matrix Method™ is built on Five Element Theory, a way of reading and helping the health and behavior of all living beings. Refined over more than 2,000 years in Classical East Asian Medicine, it is a powerful tool for modern animals (and their humans).
This work isn’t a replacement for what you already do with and for animals. It’s the insight and action approach that makes EVERY animal profession more effective.
Built for the Work You Already Do (or Dream of Doing)
Equine Bodyworkers
Finally understand why your sessions didn't bring the change you hoped for and know how to proceed for success. Even works well for horses that don't like massage and handling.
Dog & Cat Bodyworkers
Stop guessing which area or system to prioritize. The Elemental Matrix Method™ shows you the hidden pattern that is driving health and behavior issues, not just the symptoms - and what to do about it.
Trainers & Riding Instructors
Understand why a horse or dog resists, shuts down, or can't perform consistently, and how to adapt your work to each animal's nature. Develop performance programs that work WITH the animal's natural strengths.
Vet Techs, Vets, Animal Health Professionals
A complementary framework that seamlessly integrates with your evidence-based veterinary care, giving you deeper insight and approaches for chronic, complex, or hard-to-pin-down cases.
Intuitives, Reiki Practitioners, & Animal Communicators
Ground your intuitive work in a structured, explainable Five Element framework. Learn intuitive assessment, expand your energetic skills, get more consistent results, and speak to your value with confidence.
Aspiring Animal Professionals & Dedicated Animal Caregivers
You don't need experience to start. You just need the right system from day one, so you build your practice of Five Element Acupressure on a trust-worthy foundation that supports you and your practice.
If you work with animals in any capacity, this is the lens that makes your work clearer.
STUDENTS SPEAK
Love Letters From Students
“This is truly what I was lacking in my work with animals. Learning from you was just fantastic. Thank you so much for all this information, and all that you share with so much generosity. Thank you again for everything.“
FM, Switzerland
“I am absolutely LOVING it and diving in deep…it’s just amazing. I can’t thank you enough again, I had absolutely no idea when I signed up for the 5 Element class just how much it was going to change my whole life! I knew it would be fascinating but the things that are now happening to me are way beyond anything I could have ever imagined.“
KL, France
“I will be eternally grateful for your knowledge, wisdom, and your inspiration! I can honestly say that without you, I would definitely not have become who I am today without the meteorite-style impact of the years I spent with Elemental Acupressure and the Five Elements….“
SO, Germany
SELF ASSESSMENT
Is This Right for Me?
How many of these feel true for you?
☐ People tell me I really should work with animals professionally – I’ve thought about that many times
☐ I often feel like there’s a missing piece in my current work with animals
☐ I value thoughtful, individualized approaches rather than rigid formulas or recipes for doing things
☐ I want to grow in both skill and depth of understanding that really helps animals and their people
☐ I sense there are patterns beneath the surface I can’t quite read yet
☐ I want a framework that helps me see clearly — and know what to do
☐ I’m drawn to holistic thinking and also want grounded, practical skills
☐ I want to build confidence working with animals in a supported way
If you continue working the way you are now, what happens?
If even a few of these hit home, trust that feeling.
You’re not an outlier. You’re not too sensitive or too “woo” or too anything. You’re exactly who we had in mind when we built this program — and you will feel right at home here.
- You keep getting partial results with certain cases — the ones that keep you up at night
- You keep working harder without a complete and unifying framework to anchor your instincts
- Clients you can’t quite reach who leave for someone else — or give up on their animal entirely
- You continue to be just another skilled local practitioner, unable to articulate what makes your work different
- Your animal business grows but more slowly than it could – the animals who need you most remain out of reach
THE PRACTICE
The Moment Everything Changes
Imagine standing with an animal who has been labeled difficult for years. Spooky. Aggressive. Unpredictable. Maybe even dangerous.
Or maybe it’s a complex and confusing health issue that NO ONE – not even the vet – seems able to crack.
The client’s described the long, frustrating history and the deep concern she carries and the receipts to prove it. She’s seen several caring and competent professionals already – to no avail. You suspect you might be the animal’s last chance.
You’re not fighting the animal. You’re not managing or containing him. You’re quietly reading him. You see his unique pattern, picking up what he’s telling you in his history, his body, his behavior, and his qi through the lens of the Elemental Matrix Method™ you’ve studied.
Suddenly in the way he holds his neck, the tension across his back, the pattern he’s showing you in a dozen subtle signals – you see it.
Not just an intractable behavior problem. Not just a mysterious physical symptom. A coherent pattern – his Elemental Matrix.
A pattern with a name, a logic, and a clear path forward.
Maybe with our Elemental Acupressure, maybe with your existing expertise in training or as a vet tech.
This is what students describe happening not after years of study, but often within the first month of training.
This is how you become the respected source of solutions in your community and start changing lives.
“I’ve trained horses for many years and been certified in acupressure too. But before this course I would describe working on a horse as coloring within the lines. [In my previous acupressure training] I wasn’t encouraged to think outside the box. Now I’m LISTENING to and SEEING to the horse more. We are no longer paint by number! It has changed EVERYTHING.”
JB – Colorado, USA
THE METHOD
Elemental Matrix Method™ in Practice
A complete system for understanding & working with animals — built on three interconnected approaches that develop your work from the inside out.
👁️ Insight:
The Framework
- Recognize Elemental patterns across body, behavior, performance, and Qi
- Identify root causes, not just symptoms
- Develop perception grounded in Classical East Asian Medicine
- See the animal as an integrated whole
- Understand the unique pattern that needs customized support
🙌 Skills:
The Techniques
- Animal acupressure & shiatsu
- Teishin & Enshin — gentle tools for sensitive animals
- EnergyWork™ & Qi Gong
- Anatomy
- Business & Marketing
- Five Element consultation for animal caregivers
🤩 Application:
Real World Integration
- Apply the Elemental Matrix Method™ as your primary service or alongside existing work
- Work fluidly and responsively with a wide range of clients and conditions
- Adapt sessions to each animal with ease
- Build confidence through mentored practice
YOUR PATH INTO THIS WORK
The Elemental Acupressure Pathway
Here’s what learning in this program actually looks like: guided, structured, step-by-step, and supported at every stage. We meet with each student when they start and develop a doable plan tailored to your available time and learning style. We don’t just sell you the package and leave you alone – we provide mentoring in the traditional apprenticeship model.
FOUNDATION PHASE – EAFD
This is where your journey begins. You’ll develop the essential skills that make everything else in this program possible. Explore Five Element acupressure, shiatsu, EnergyWork™, and Anatomy. By the end of this phase, you’re already working with animals in a whole new way.
PRACTITIONER PHASE – CEAP
Certified Elemental Acupressure Practitioner
This is where you go deep. Through focused study of Five Element theory, advanced acupressure, Qi Gong, and business development, you build the clinical confidence to work professionally with animals and their people.
ADVANCED PHASE – CEAP2
This is where practitioners become leaders. Advanced theory, expanded applications, and Teacher Training prepare you to share the Elemental Matrix Method™ with others and step into recognized expertise.
PROGRAM DETAILS
What You’ll Learn at Each Level
- Join One, Two, or all Three Levels to match your goals and dreams
- Move at YOUR pace – once you buy a course or a package you have forever access
- 1:1 Mentoring available for all three Program levels
- A Forever Invitation to our Monthly Student Meetings comes with the purchase of any Program course
- Buy single courses or discounted course bundles. Payment Plans available
Level One: Elemental Foundations (EAFD)
By the end of Level One, you have the hands-on skills and the quiet confidence to work with animals — and the beginning of a whole new way of seeing them.
This is a full-bodied foundational training equivalent to a 10-day in-person clinic — not a starter course for casual dabblers. Level One equips you to look at animals in an entirely different way. It has been transforming lives since these courses were first offered by Susan in 1995.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Simple, effective acupressure for comfort and wellbeing
- Five Element assessment to identify patterns in health, behavior, and performance
- Accessible EnergyWork™ practices
- Functional anatomy of horses and pets
- Integrated approaches that blend seamlessly with your existing expertise
BY THE END OF LEVEL 1, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Confidently design foundational acupressure and shiatsu sessions
- Recognize Five Element patterns in an animal’s body, behavior, and Qi
- Work comfortably with Qi energy —without needing any prior experience or special intuitive gifts
- Support sensitive or reactive animals with greater calm and clarity
- Begin seeing every animal through a whole new lens
“I have recently completed the “Foundations in the 5 Elements” course and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Susan Tenney is a great teacher and very supportive, and this course has given me extra tools to support my Equine Healing and Massage business.“
Sarah, equine bodyworker, UK
Level Two: Certified Elemental Acupressure Practitioner (CEAP)
By the end of Level Two, you are the practitioner others turn to when cases feel complex — someone who sees clearly and knows exactly what to do about it.
This is where seeing becomes doing — at a professional level. Level Two marks the transition from skilled technician to insightful practitioner: someone others turn to when cases feel complex, confusing, or stuck. You’ll be fascinated and inspired by our Five Element deep dive – this is the beating heart of our courses. Your work will change professionally — you’ll stop second-guessing, begin seeing patterns quickly and reliably, and your results will become more consistent and lasting.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Deep application of Five Element acupressure theory
- 70+ acupressure points, teishin work, and more
- Complete professional sessions from assessment through client communication
- Case discussions to build clinical reasoning
- Essential Qi Gong to develop practitioner presence
- Business development aligned with your Elemental Matrix
BY THE END OF LEVEL 2 YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Confidently design professional-level acupressure and shiatsu sessions
- Recognize complex Five Element patterns in an animal’s body, behavior, and Qi and know how to address them practically
- Guide animals and their people through a complete session process including client education
- Work well with wide range of animal conditions and concerns
- Begin or expand an animal-related service business
“I had absolutely no idea when I signed up for the program just how much it was going to change my whole life! I knew it would be fascinating but the things that are now happening to me are way beyond anything I could have ever imagined.“
Kate, certified human and animal osteopath, CEAP- Certified Elemental Acupressure Practitioner, France
Level Three: Advanced Elemental Acupressure Practitioner (CEAP2)
By the end of Level Three, you are an expert practitioner, a recognized leader, and a teacher — with a lifetime of meaningful animal work ahead of you.
This level is for those who want expert status — not just competence — who want to lead, teach, or expand their impact, and who feel this work becoming part of who they are. This is the level where everything integrates, and where you take your place among the most skilled animal acupressure practitioners in the world today.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Advanced Five Element Meridian Technique
- Specialty meridian acupoints for complex cases
- Three primary Extraordinary Vessels — CV, GV, Girdle Vessel
- Applied Channel Theory for enhanced clinical assessment
- How to teach the EMM™ in your region to your clientele
- Structured teaching curricula for workshops and programs
BY THE END OF LEVEL 3, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Confidently draw deeply from the rich legacy of Classical East Asian Medicine to help modern animals
- Weave your understanding of Five Element theory together with additional branches of the theory like the Extraordinary Vessels and Applied Channel Theory
- Share your deep insight and experience with your fortunate clients
- Start teaching the Elemental Acupressure courses in your area
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been really needing to dive in deeper and felt I needed a mentor to help me on my journey. I read lots of books about acu stuff/tcm etc but it just isn’t the same as someone who KNOWS how to work on horses and has the depth of knowledge. You are a true inspiration to me! So excited to learn more! It’s hard to find classes that are advanced enough to make it worth the time. I feel like we are already going in depth than I’ve ever gone. Feeling revitalized so thank you!“
Kristen, certified equine acupressure bodyworker and teacher, Arizona, USA
THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The Elemental Acupressure Learning Experience
At every level of the program, you receive the same fully supported learning environment. This is not a watch-the-videos-and-figure-it-out program.
🎬 Video Instruction
Clear, step-by-step online lessons with guided lesson plans
📚 Detailed Manuals
Extensively detailed text and large point-location photos on live animals
🤝 1:1 Meetings with Susan
Personal online apprenticeship meetings shared regularly for in depth apprenticeship
🌐 Live Online Group Sessions
Monthly ongoing Demonstrations, case discussions, and Q&A with instructors
👋 Engaged Student Community
Ongoing connection inside the EA community — your Acu Sisters
📝 Workbooks & Self-Quizzes
Optional workbooks and self-quizzes to keep you clear and moving forward
ONE YEAR FROM NOW
Imagine Yourself One Year From Now
The skills you develop here don’t stay inside the program. They show up in your daily work – and quietly, in everything else too.
You start noticing patterns others miss — in every animal you encounter
You approach challenging cases with greater calm and clarity
Animals respond differently to you — and their caregivers notice
Caregivers begin to trust your insight and refer their hardest cases – even if other pros have given up
What once felt uncertain, you now navigate with confidence
Animals respond differently to you — and their caregivers notice
“So excited to join your programme! Like others, I have not had any luck learning from books or YouTube. Right after your short presentation I went out and tried the calming points. My mare was a little antsy at first, but less than halfway through the first side her head was down and half asleep! Success!”
Lisa, EA student, UK
A QUESTION FOR YOU
What Is It Costing You to Wait?
For the Working Animal Professional
Every day you work without this framework, you’re working with the best tools you currently have. But what about the cases that leave you puzzled? The animals others have given up on?
The Five Element lens doesn’t just make you a better practitioner. It makes you THE practitioner in your community.
Consider what that’s worth:
- Faster, more lasting results — root patterns, not surface symptoms
- The ability to take on complex cases others can’t resolve
- A distinguishing expertise that sets you apart
- Deeper, more meaningful work with animals and their people
- A stronger, more sustainable business
- The confidence of knowing you gave every animal your very best
For the Aspiring Animal Professional
Maybe you’ve always known that working with animals is what you’re here to do — but you’ve wondered whether the timing is right, whether you have what it takes, whether this path is yours.
If you’ve asked more than once then deep down you know the answer. It is. And this path is can take you there.
Consider what that’s worth:
- Faster, more lasting results — root patterns, not surface symptoms
- The ability to take on complex cases others can’t resolve
- A distinguishing expertise that sets you apart
- Deeper, more meaningful work with animals and their people
- A stronger, more sustainable business
- The confidence of knowing you gave every animal your very best
INVESTMENT
⭐ MOST POPULAR
Foundations + Practitioner Certification Levels
Elemental Foundations + Certified Elemental Acupressure Practitioner Levels
$4,556
Regular value: $6,075 US Dollars
You save $1,519 (25%) + $393 in bonuses
- 7 laminated acupressure charts ($130 value)
- No Pressure Acupressure™ short course
- It’s Elementary Pro short course
- AcuBasics short course
- Total combined savings: $1,971
BONUSES INCLUDED:
⭐ BEST VALUE
Complete Certification Pathway: Levels One, Two, & Three
All Three Levels – Full Professional Training
$5,950
Regular value: $9,025 US Dollars
You save $3,075 (33%) + $580 in bonuses
- 7 laminated acupressure charts ($130 value)
- No Pressure Acupressure™ short course
- It’s Elementary Pro short course
- AcuBasics short course
- Two Animal Consultation calls with Susan OR Two EnergyReading™ sessions with Jonathan Cohn ($450 value)
- Total combined savings: $3,930
BONUSES INCLUDED:
Most students choose either Foundations + Practitioner Certification or the Full Certification Pathway — because that’s where the real shift happens: from understanding → to confident, professional-level application.
But we also offer other pathways through our curriculum.
Want to start with the Foundations level to see if it works for you? Purchase only the Elemental Foundations Level (Level 1).
Do you have previous experience with Five Elemental Acupressure and want to dive deeper than most programs offer? Purchase only the Elemental Practitioner Level (Level 2) and jump right into the depths of Five Element Acupressure theory and practice.
Flexible payment plans available · Buy Now Pay Later option available
Want to discuss your options? Let’s Chat!
Elemental Foundations Level Only
$1,697
Save $328 / 15%
No previous experience required- all levels are welcome
Elemental Practitioner Level Only
$3,397
Save $653 / 15%
Recommended for those with prior experience with Five Element acupressure
The Certification Program is not simply an educational purchase. It is a professional and personal development journey — with mentoring, community, and ongoing growth woven into every stage. Most students find that the skills, confidence, and opportunities that develop through the training far exceed the initial investment. Many describe it as the best decision they ever made for themselves and the animals they serve.
ONE MORE THING
One More Thing Before You Decide
There is no perfect moment to begin something that matters. There will always be a reason to wait. Most of the students who found their way to this community felt exactly that way before they enrolled.
And almost every one of them says the same thing afterward:
That willingness? You already have it. You’ve read this far, haven’t you?
RESEARCH & CREDIBILITY
But Does Five Element Acupressure Actually Work?
10,000+
Research publications in biomedical databases (PubMed)
100+
Medical conditions recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)
1,000s+
of Veterinarians incorporating acupuncture worldwide
Global
Insurance coverage including US Veterans Health Administration
Many students are surprised by how widely accepted and respected acupoint work from Classical East Asian Medicine is once they begin learning more about it. Just head to PubMed and enter the name of a powerful acupoint like LI 4 or PC 6 and you’ll get an idea just how evidence-based this work is.
It is not fringe or experimental. It is a growing, respected field that combines ancient medical insight with modern scientific understanding — and the evidence base is only strengthening. Research references and clinical communication guidance are woven throughout the training — so you can speak with confidence to clients, veterinarians, and skeptical colleagues alike.
“By training I’m a research scientist – very protocol-driven and detail-oriented… But science is ninety percent failure. You’re constantly trying to find what works and what doesn’t, and there are far more things we don’t understand than things we do. Just because we don’t understand something doesn’t make it untrue — people didn’t understand electricity for a long time, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t exist… Classical East Asian medicine dates back at least three hundred years before Christ. Now, in just the last ten years or so, fascia science has actually been able to see acupuncture and acupressure points in dissected tissue – something practitioners could always feel, and now we can also see.“
Lauraine, EA Certification Program student, North Carolina, USA
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether your questions relate to your readiness, the efficacy of this kind of work, or practical logistics, below we answer the questions we’ve seen the most.
Do you have MORE questions? We’re happy to help. Simply message us or schedule an online chat.
ACCESSIBILITY & READINESS
Is this too advanced for me?
Just because our program is profound and comprehensive does NOT mean it is too advanced for the average student. We don’t start you at the finish line, we don’t throw you in the deep end and hope you can swim. If you’ve been in programs like that before please know we are determined to avoid that stressful and disheartening learning model. Always.
We start at the very beginning so that ANYONE can join and learn. Then we guide you methodically, so that each level is accessible to any student willing to engage with the learning. We’ve had everyone from high school sophmores to seniors looking for a post-retirement career go through these courses.
Also know that you are always welcome to just get started with the Foundations level. There is no need to do all three levels to have wonderful results with the animals in your life. We want you to make the Program work for YOU and your dreams.
What if I'm not confident yet?
No worries. That’s our job. We’ve watched students with low self-confidence blossom in this training again and again. Some of our most talented practitioners doubted themselves the most — because they cared so much. That’s not a flaw. That’s a feature.
I don't have prior experience with acupressure. Can I still do this?
Yes. Most students begin with little or no prior experience with this work. The Foundations level introduces skills step by step, with clear guidance and mentoring. You are not expected to know anything before you start.
I don't have prior experience with small animals or horses. Can I still do this?
While experience handling and caring for animals is always a plus, EVERYTHING is learnable. Previous animal experience is not nearly as important and as necessary as a deep well of caring and determination. You may have to put in some extra time to learn handling skills or familiarizing yourself with the culture of the animal/s you are studying but do NOT stop yourself from starting because you don’t know everything yet. We have had students who had NEVER ridden or handled horses become respected professionals who changed lives for horses – even in communities filled with those with more experience. Your drive and your heart are more important than your expertise.
I only want to work with dogs or horses. Can I get certified in only one species?
Absolutely fine. Most of the theory and practice is applicable to ALL animals – even humans. The only lessons that are separate are some parts of the anatomy and point locations, some minor aspects of the techniques, and some species-specific health issues or behaviors. But there is SO much more that is alike than different! There is zero pressure to practice with a species you aren’t connected to. And for those who go on to take the certification exam, you are welcome to be tested on only dogs, only horses, or both dogs and horses. Your certification diploma will reflect that choice.
I'm not "intuitive" or experienced with energetic work. Will that be a problem?
And if you ARE one of the more sensitive and experienced ones, know that your teacher is no light weight. He’s been teaching and practicing this work for DECADES. He is not only a great teacher for beginners, his classes are a game changer for experienced pros like animal communicators and Reiki Masters.
What if I start and feel overwhelmed?
Learning something deep, rich, and new always involves a learning curve — and we expect that. If you ever feel stuck, you won’t be navigating it alone. You have Susan, your EA instructors, and a warm community of fellow students who have all been exactly where you are. You were never meant to do this alone and we’ll do all we can to give you as much help as you need.
I'm not sure I want to work professionally yet. Is that okay?
Completely fine. Some students begin simply to help their own animals or explore their interest. There is zero pressure to practice professionally — ever. The animals in your life will benefit whether you are a practicing professional or not.
DOES IT WORK?
Will this actually work in my field?
Classical East Asian Medicine has been used for centuries across virtually every field of health and wellness. Our students have applied the Elemental Matrix Method™ in: equine and small animal bodywork, veterinary science, animal training at all levels, elite performance training, hoof care, shelter work, equine therapy facilities, grooming, animal communication, and many more.
Is acupressure for animals really evidence-based??
Yes — and you may be surprised by just how widely respected and researched this field has become. Thousands of veterinarians worldwide practice acupuncture. The WHO recognizes it for over 100 conditions. Major insurance systems cover it. See above for more info on this topic or type an acupoint like LI 4 or PC 6 into PubMed and just SEE how many references there are to modern scientific studies.
Will my animal community think I am too woo or too "out there" if I announce my plans?
And know this: If you are getting results with a method that is safe, gentle, and consistently effective then usually the results will sell your services on their own. While some dinosaurs may dismiss your results, animal caregivers who want happy and healthy animals will be eager for your services. We even help you learn how to communicate the benefits of your work to your clients so you feel confident as well as competent.
PRACTICAL LOGISTICS
My life is already fully booked. How much time do I need?
Once you purchase a course, you have lifetime access to both the materials and community support — that will not expire. We meet with each student when they start and develop a doable plan. For most students getting started, one to two hours per week for about a month is enough to complete a course. For students wanting to become certified as an Certified Elemental Acupressure Practitioner (CEAP) following that same rhythm of about 1-2 hours per week for about 18–24 months will have you ready to go pro. Of course you are welcome to put in a few more hours per week and progress much faster.
Just think: If you skip one Netflix show a week and you’ve got this covered.
Can I really learn this online?
Yes. The program combines detailed video instruction, demonstrations with animals, mentoring meetings, and interactive discussions. You can submit video of your own work to receive teacher feedback — the best of both worlds. We have loads of students around the globe that have never met Susan in person but are busy practicing in their area.
Will I receive support if I have questions?
Yes — and this is one of the things students mention most often. Personal 1:1 meetings with Susan, live group sessions with Q&A, feedback on your practice sessions, and an active, genuinely warm student community. Have you ever bought an online course and felt abandoned after you paid? This is not that.
PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENTIATION AND INVESTMENT
What makes this different from other animal acupressure certifications?
Many other programs teach techniques or theory in isolation. And we’ve also seen the manuals from other programs that offer more of a recipe style training (no matter what their marketing materials say). That’s why students come to us AFTER those programs and tell us again and again that they wish they had STARTED with us.
The deeper difference is the Elemental Matrix Method™ itself — a complete system that teaches you not just techniques, but how to see, understand, and practice creatively. Students consistently say it changed not just how they work, but how they see everything. And honestly? It is the teachers who make the biggest difference.
I already work with animals professionally. Will this still help me?
Absolutely. The Five Element framework doesn’t replace what you do. It makes everything you already do make more sense. More than half of our students come to us with professional experience under their belt. They are continually amazed at how much BETTER they can do their work with the addition of the Elemental Matrix Method™ in their toolbox.
This is a significant investment. How do I know it will be worth it?
Students consistently report that the skills, confidence, and professional opportunities they develop far exceed the initial investment. Most Certified Practitioners insist the program changed their lives forever. Flexible payment options are available — and if you’re genuinely uncertain, we’re happy to answer your questions before you decide.
How do I know if this is really right for me?
If you feel drawn to this work – even alongside uncertainty – that combination is very common. Most students begin exactly there. Curiosity and willingness to learn are the only real prerequisites. And if you’re still not sure, reach out. We’re happy to talk it through.While experience handling and caring for animals is always a plus, EVERYTHING is learnable. Previous animal experience is not nearly as important and as necessary as a deep well of caring and determination. You may have to put in some extra time to learn handling skills or familiarizing yourself with the culture of the animal/s you are studying but do NOT stop yourself from starting because you don’t know everything yet. We have had students who had NEVER ridden or handled horses become respected professionals who changed lives for horses – even in communities filled with those with more experience. Your drive and your heart are more important than your expertise.
A FINAL MESSAGE
You Don’t Need to Be Certain.
You Only Need to Begin.
Right now, you are seeing this clearly. That clarity won’t disappear — but it will soften as daily life takes over. The best time to act is when you can still feel the distance between what you’ve been doing and what is now possible.
That moment? You’re in it.
With a spark. A sense of possibility. A quiet awareness that there is more to learn — and more that is possible for you and the animals you serve. Wherever you begin, you’ll be welcomed and supported.
Still have questions? We’re happy to talk. Contact us
The animals are waiting. Your life’s work is closer than you think.
With warmth, Susan 🐾