Meet Us
IAHAP is a global community born from a vision for inclusivity, integrity, and elevated standards in holistic animal care.
The story of the International Association of Holistic Animal Practitioners (IAHAP) begins with the lifelong passion of Dr. Angelique Barbara. As a dedicated animal lover, holistic practitioner, and educator, Dr. Angel spent decades immersed in the world of animal wellness. Through her renowned educational platform, Holistic Animal Studies, she trained thousands of students across more than 30 countries, witnessing firsthand the incredible transformative power of holistic modalities.
However, as her students graduated and entered the professional world, Dr. Angel noticed significant gaps in the field. The industry suffered from fragmented standards and gatekeeping organizations that often excluded practitioners based on their specific training backgrounds. There was a distinct lack of inclusivity for diverse modalities and practitioner paths, and the community lacked a unified, powerful voice representing the full and vibrant spectrum of holistic animal care.
Driven by these observations, she envisioned an entirely new kind of organization—one that would warmly welcome ALL holistic animal practitioners, regardless of their chosen modality, specific school of training, geographical location, or experience level. Crucially, this organization would remain deeply committed to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards in animal care.
IAHAP was founded as the definitive answer to that vision. Today, we stand as a globally inclusive professional association built firmly on the foundational values of continuous education, unwavering ethics, supportive community, and collective growth.
What IAHAP Does
We actively support the holistic animal care profession through comprehensive initiatives and ongoing advocacy:
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Certify and recognize qualified practitioners through our tiered membership programs.
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Set clear ethical standards and scope-of-practice guidelines for the industry.
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Provide accessible continuing education opportunities through the IAHAP Academy.
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Advocate for fair animal bodywork laws and practitioner rights on a global scale.
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Connect members globally through a vibrant, supportive private community.
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Approve, support, and recognize high-quality educational programs and schools.
IAHAP is guided by a distinguished council of respected leaders, seasoned educators, and experienced practitioners from across the diverse landscape of the holistic animal care world. Each member of our advisory board brings decades of hands-on experience and a shared, profound commitment to elevating our field.
Our advisory board plays a crucial role in shaping organizational policy, reviewing professional standards, mentoring our members, and ensuring that IAHAP remains steadfastly true to its founding mission of inclusivity and excellence.
Our Advisory Board
Dr. Angelique Barbara
MS Veterinary Pathobiology, Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Angelique Barbara is a Doctor of Chiropractic who began her career in the Veterinary Pathology world, she holds certifications in multiple holistic modalities and has dedicated her life's work to elevating the standard of care animals receive across the globe.
In 2015, she founded Holistic Animal Studies to make quality holistic education accessible to anyone with a passion for animal wellness — successfully teaching thousands of students in over 30 countries how to facilitate healing in animals through hands-on, science-informed, heart-centered practice.
Alongside her teaching, Dr. Angel is the co-founder of Angel's Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary is more than a refuge — it is the living embodiment of her belief that every animal deserves compassion, advocacy, and a voice. It also serves as a place where her work, her values, and her education come full circle: rescued animals are cared for using the very holistic principles she teaches.
Her vision extends far beyond simply teaching techniques; she cares profoundly about the practitioners themselves and the integrity of the profession. Dr. Angel founded IAHAP because she believes the holistic animal care community deserves an organization as inclusive, educated, and heart-centered as the practitioners it serves — a place where students, professionals, educators, and animal lovers from every corner of the world can come together to learn, support one another, and elevate the standard of care for the animals at the center of it all.
Dr. Margo Roman
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Margo Roman is a pioneering integrative veterinarian and internationally recognized leader in holistic and functional veterinary medicine. With over four decades of clinical experience, she has been at the forefront of advancing alternative and complementary therapies in animal care, bridging the gap between conventional veterinary medicine and innovative holistic approaches.
Dr. Roman is widely known for her groundbreaking research and application of therapies such as ozone therapy, laser therapy, sound healing, and frequency-based modalities. She has also been a strong advocate for the role of the microbiome in animal health and has contributed significantly to the understanding of its impact on immunity, inflammation, and overall wellness.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Roman is a sought-after speaker, educator, and mentor, dedicated to empowering practitioners to think beyond traditional models and adopt a more holistic, individualized approach to care. Her passion for innovation and commitment to advancing the field make her an invaluable member of the IAHAP Advisory Board.
Anita Barbara
Co-founder of Angel's Animal Sanctuary
Anita (Keese) Barbara is a lifelong animal advocate, compassionate leader, and the founder of Angel’s Animal Sanctuary. Born in South Africa, Anita has carried a deep connection to animals from an early age, dedicating her life to their care, protection, and well-being.
As a passionate voice for humane living, Anita has been a vegetarian since childhood and embraces a vegan lifestyle rooted in kindness and respect for all living beings. Through her work with the sanctuary, she has created a safe haven for animals in need, providing them with not only shelter, but dignity, healing, and a second chance at life.
In addition to her work in animal rescue, Anita is a talented artist and vegan chef, expressing her creativity through both visual art and plant-based cuisine. Her work reflects her belief that compassion can be woven into every aspect of life—from the food we eat to the way we care for the world around us.
Driven by a deep sense of purpose, Anita strives to make the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, inspiring others to live with greater awareness, empathy, and respect.
Lori Perez
Acupuncturist
As an expert in Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), Lori has been in clinical practice for over 30 years and has spent the last decade dedicated to animal holistic practices.
She is co-Founder of Crowning Touch Clinics, healing centers and educational campus,
home based in Colorado.
Lori holds a Master of Science degree in East Asian Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science. State Licensed and Nationally Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbal medicine practitioner.
She specializes in the rehabilitation of rescued and rehomed equines through application of holistic practices.
Lori's extensive training includes over 300 hours in Animal Acupressure for both Equine and small animal with multiple certifications in various holistic practices including certification as an equine-assisted activities facilitator.
Dr. Michele Broadhurst
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Michele Broadhurst is a globally recognized leader in integrative animal care, bridging conventional and holistic medicine through chiropractic, myofascial therapy, and rehabilitation. A graduate of chiropractic college and a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician since 2004, she pioneered animal chiropractic in South Africa's thoroughbred racing and stud industries before bringing her expertise to the United States.
Certified in canine rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee and a faculty member of North East Seminars, Dr. Michele is the published author of three books and a sought-after lecturer nationally and internationally on myofascial pain and the integration of functional and structural medicine. She currently practices at Rehab 4 Pets in Coppell, Texas.
Dr. Erin Holder
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Erin Holder is an integrative veterinarian, educator, and advocate for a more compassionate, connected approach to animal care. She is the founder of Veterinary Compassion Project, where she focuses on supporting both animals and the humans who care for them through a blend of science, empathy, and holistic medicine.
Dr. Holder integrates a variety of modalities into her work, including nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and mind-body awareness, while also emphasizing communication, presence, and the importance of understanding each case within a broader context. She is particularly passionate about end-of-life care, chronic disease support, and helping practitioners navigate the emotional complexities of veterinary medicine.
Through her teaching and mentorship, Dr. Holder encourages practitioners to reconnect with their purpose, build sustainable practices, and approach their work with both clinical skill and compassion. Her perspective brings a unique and deeply needed voice to the evolution of integrative veterinary care.
Her commitment to bridging science and compassion, along with her dedication to supporting both animals and practitioners, makes her a valued member of the IAHAP Advisory Board.
Morgan Rooks-Turcotte
Administrative Coordinator
Morgan is a Canadian holistic practitioner and the founder of Stable Mind & Body, a practice offering equine holistic massage, nutritional consulting, and integrative therapies for horses, dogs, and cats. Her work is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, nervous system regulation, and a whole-body approach to wellness. Trained through Holistic Animal Studies, she brings hands-on experience and genuine passion to her work with animals and their people.
As IAHAP's Administrative Coordinator, Morgan supports the day-to-day operations that keep our growing community running smoothly. She assists with member onboarding, helps coordinate administrative logistics, and supports the implementation of programs and communications directed by our founder and advisory board. Her steady, behind-the-scenes contributions have been part of bringing IAHAP from vision to reality during our founding year.
