Young Living Essential Oils and Animals Conference

Rodney Habib is a digital artist, social media influencer, filmmaker, multiple award-winning vlogger, professional speaker, founder of Planet Paws—the world’s largest pet health page on Facebook—and, more importantly, a pet parent.
In 2016 Rodney was honored to give the very first TEDx talk on pet health, which currently stands as the highest viewed TED talk pertaining to dogs in history. Rodney is an immensely popular, engaging, and influential personality in the pet food and pet health industry.

Allie Phillips is a former prosecuting attorney and an internationally recognized educator and author. She is an expert on animal protection legal issues, the link between violence toward animals and people, and human-animal interactions in the criminal justice system. Allie spent 11 years working in the Washington, DC, area, where she founded the National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse at the National District Attorneys Association. She is also the founder of Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T), a global initiative assisting domestic violence shelters to create on-site pet housing systems, and is co-founder of Therapy Animals Supporting Kids (TASK), a global program that places therapy animals with maltreated children in the court system.

Dr. Bernadette Hartman received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2005 from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Bernadette uses essential oils extensively and has certifications in acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, intuitive work, and numerous energy and healing modalities.

Bethany K. Dwyer is a licensed dental provider and owns The Tooth Fairy Performance Equine Dental Services in Texas. She is a 2001 graduate of the American School of Equine Dentistry and achieved her certification with the International Association of Equine Dentistry in 2004. She earned a BS in interdisciplinary agriculture from Sam Houston State University in 2009, which she followed up with an MS in biomedical sciences with an emphasis on nutrition from Texas A&M University in 2011. As a certified Raindrop Technique specialist, she is also able to assist her clients in taking control of their health care.

Candace M. Hoke, ND, is the founder of Escent-Oil Balance. She graduated from Clayton College of Natural Healing and has certifications in iridology, aromatherapy, holistic health coaching, live blood cell analysis, and holistic theology. She is also a fully certified instructor for the Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education (CARE). Candace uses this knowledge base to assist animal caregivers in finding the tools needed to assist in their search for an animal’s healthier lifestyle.

Carol Komitor has dedicated her life to supporting animals. Her love for animals as a young child inspired her to become a veterinary technician, and she cared for animals in a clinical setting for 13 years. Carol’s journey into the field of energy therapy began as she studied energy medicine for humans, which led her to become a certified massage therapist and a Healing Touch certified practitioner and instructor. Carol’s focus once again turned to animals as she returned to her roots. She received her certification as an equine sports massage therapist and works closely with horses using energy medicine, essential oils, and love on a daily basis.

Cherie Ross has been around animals her whole life. When she was a child, she was teased that she was born into a litter of Alaskan malamute puppies. When Cherie was just two years old, she rode on the backs of the draft horses as her grandfather drove the working team. Her love of and experience with animals only got stronger as she grew up working on her grandparents’ farm and interacting with barnyard animals.

Cherie has worked personally and professionally with essential oils since 1975, teaching their benefits worldwide for people and animals. For the past 18 years, Cherie has spoken to veterinarians and animal lovers about the use of essential oils in animal care. She is a Young Living Royal Crown Diamond and has diverse experience in many aspects of essential oils, including planting, harvesting, and distilling, as well as product development.

Cindy Winter has been a certified veterinary technician for 22 years and is currently working at Integrative Veterinary Services in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She also worked for more than five years at the Animal Doctor Holistic Veterinary Complex in Muskego, Wisconsin, with Dr. Jodie Gruenstern. She graduated from the Center or Aromatherapy Research and Education (CARE) in 2007 and has been teaching classes for the last eight years.

Heather Henderson is a devoted mom to three rescue cats, two rescue pugs, one French bulldog/Boston terrier mix, and a guinea pig. She has been interested in holistic pet health for over 25 years and has found her home as an independent distributor for Young Living Essential Oils.

As a mostly retired mobile dog groomer and graduate of the New York School of Dog Grooming, Heather desires to see change in the industry. She teaches label-reading to any groomer who is open to seeing beyond what is used traditionally in a grooming shop.

Dr. Jodie Gruenstern graduated from UW-Madison in 1987. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and food therapist by the Chi Institute. She is vice president of the Veterinary Medical Aromatherapy Association and a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Jodie is the author of “Live with Your Pet in Mind” and is a nationally renowned speaker, writer, and pet product manufacturer. She is the founder of Dr. Jodie’s Natural Pets; Integrating People for Animal Wellness (iPAW); Dr. Jodie’s Integrative Consulting, PLLC; and former owner of the Animal Doctor Holistic Veterinary Complex in Wisconsin. Dr. Jodie currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her fabulous rescues.

Judy Ray is a 1993 graduate of the Tomball Veterinary Technician Program. Her experience in the veterinary field started in emergency medicine, where she worked for 10 years before transferring to day practice. While working in emergency medicine, she was fortunate to be able to shadow a veterinarian who was pursing an education in alternative healing. Through this experience, Judy learned that traditional Western medicine was not the only option for animal care. It wasn’t until several years later that she would once again find an opportunity to pursue a different way of helping animals.

Dr. Lori A. Miller is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in animal science. She continued her education at Louisiana State University and earned a master’s degree in animal science, focusing on equine reproductive physiology and endocrinology. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University in 2001. Lori then moved to the Houston, Texas, area to begin her career as an equine practitioner. Three years later, she opened her own practice: All About Equine Veterinary Services, PC.

Dr. Nancy Brandt attended the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical School and graduated with honors in 1990. Before attending medical school, she attained a five-year triple BA in biology, chemistry, and physics. In 1998 she began her studies in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, chiropractic medicine, and naturopathic modalities such as homeopathy. She was also a pioneer in the field of veterinary medical aromatherapy. She has studied human behavior models for 11 years and uses aromatherapy to assist the collective consciousness of the pet and guardian relationship.

Paula Vandervoort is a certified student of the American Council of Animal Naturopathy and is the founder of Gentry Boxers, The Dog Breeder Store, and Kindred Animal Spirits. She is a professional animal communicator and a trained aromatherapist specializing in animal applications. Paula is also the only natural rearing boxer dog breeder in the world who is certified by the Natural Rearing Dog Breeders Association (NRBA).

Her modalities include vast experience and training in carnivore nutrition, essential oils, homeopathy, energy healing, telepathy, and flower essences. She also has an understanding of epigenetic influences that can improve vitality and longevity in pets and people.

Robin Wardlaw Montague is a life coach, entrepreneur, and teacher, as well as a professional barrel horse racer and holistic horse care enthusiast. She holds a BS in psychology from Texas A&M and a degree in special education from Schreiner College. She has worked as a teacher for students with special needs, worked with people who have dyslexia, and coached for the Special Olympics. She continues to coach rodeo athletes who qualify for competition levels ranging from junior high to professional. She is also a leader with Young Living Essential Oils and enjoys educating families about the benefits essential oils can bring.

Sally Shultis has worked with essential oils in caring for people and animals for over 15 years. She has embarked on an extensive study of essential oils and is passionate about helping people understand the use of oils for themselves and their animals. She studied at the Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education (CARE) and is a certified Raindrop Technique specialist. Sally is also a licensed spiritual healer, a former certified CARE instructor, a certified Raindrop Technique specialist for animals, and a Young Living leader. She is dedicated to sharing her in-depth knowledge for the betterment of people and their animals.

Sherry LaMarche has utilized essential oils and other complementary modalities to help animals and their humans for over 17 years. She is a Young Living Diamond and is also a Reiki master, canine myotherapist, equine massage therapist, and Japanese acupressurist. She and her husband own Tenaya Farms, a holistic equine rehab facility in Walworth, Wisconsin.

In over 30 years of veterinary practice, Dr. Susan Albright has fused traditional and integrative modalities that include chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutrition, and essential oils. After graduating in 1985 from the University of Illinois with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Albright moved to central Illinois to practice at the Chenoa Veterinary Clinic. She became the sole proprietor in 1996. The practice evolved from relying on traditional methods to using modern technology, such as therapeutic and surgical lasers, along with integrative holistic options. This combination offers her animal patients and their owners a well-rounded approach to health and wellness.