Our Faculty & Instructors
“The ability of our school lies in the hands of our instructors. For this reason, we have assembled a team dedicated to the art of Massage Therapy and to teaching it. It is our belief that these are some of the best professionals anywhere and have been noted for excellence in their fields.”
– James Mongan, C.E.O.
Dorothy Mongan, L.C.M.T., AAS, Founder and Instructor
Massage Therapy has been a lifetime career for Dorothy. Her mother was an herbologist, reflexologist, and massage therapist as taught by the old German modalities. Dorothy was taught all this and practiced her skills from a very young age. Her joy in life comes from helping others to gain a healthy life. Dorothy got her first degree in massage at the Swedish Institute School for Massage in 1985. She followed that up with a one on one experience for seven years with the legendary Dr. Sole. Through that she developed her own technique and is in the process of publishing her own book and video called The Dr. Sole Technique. She keeps a busy schedule massaging her loyal clients every day. She is always studying something new and is experienced with the St. John’s Institute techniques. Dorothy also spends a lot of her time in nutritional counseling and has practiced Contact Reflex Analysis testing for over 15 years. Dorothy received her Associates degree from Aims Community College in 1992. In her free time, between teaching and working, Dorothy enjoys playing with her grandchildren and sewing. Dorothy started Eaton Therapeutic Center in 1985 and she founded the Academy of Natural Therapy in 1989. Dorothy has taught all of the classes in the Massage Therapy program at least once but now she is happily retired.
Administration
James Mongan, CEO
James took over the Academy of Natural Therapy in 1995. His guidance, leadership, and wisdom has guided the school to expand and grow. James has always kept the quality of education very high, striving always to have a program that creates and forms therapists to be successful in the field of massage. He truly cares about the students and is dedicated to the massage industry as a whole. James is the founder of Mongans Own Lotions.
Jennifer Mongan, Executive Officer, Quality Assurance, Owner, Human Resources
Jennifer has been assisting with the Academy of Natural Therapy since 2000 when she graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Before that, she managed the Eaton Therapeutic Center and Natural Therapy Health Center. In her free time Jennifer loves to pray and to be with her seven beautiful and talented children. Jennifer is trained in several important departments at the Academy ranging from management, Admissions to Accounting to Quality Assurance. Jennifer’s ultimate goal is to share the Mongan families rich history of massage to every student and make sure that each student has a positive fulfilling and healing experience at the Academy of Natural Therapy
Logan Croissant, Director of Financial Aid
Logan Croissant is thrilled to be joining the team at the Academy. With a degree in Human Services and three years of management experience in the healthcare field, Logan brings a strong background to the role. A self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, Logan is also a proud pet parent to two cats, Jaxx and Talia. Logan has a love for gnomes, and Practical Magic ranks as an all-time favorite movie. Originally from Colorado, Logan recently moved back to town from Aurora. Excited about this new opportunity, Logan is eager to meet and work with everyone at the Academy
Mary Jo Thaxton, Accounts Director
MaryJo has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Finance from Colorado State University. She has been crunching numbers at Academy of Natural Therapy since 2014. Along with her Accounting duties, she also manages the Human Resource department with all employees. MaryJo is a passionate soccer fan, skier, mom to three children, and has been married to her husband, Steve, for over 30 years.
Instructors & Therapists
Deborah Todd | Senior Instructor Hydrotherapy, Communications, Neuromuscular Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Special Needs, and Teaching Methods
Deb has been a massage therapist since 1999. She received her training from The Healing Arts Institute in Fort Collins, CO. She graduated in ‘99 and started her career as a therapist at Eaton Theraputic Center. She began her teaching career at the Academy of Natural Therapy in ‘01. She currently teaches Hydrotherapy, Communications, Neuromuscular Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Speacial Needs and Teaching Methods. Deb is a talented performer and she often performs at the Academy graduations
Laura Syring, Neuromuscular 1, Sports Massage, Business, and Canine Massage.
Laura is a graduate of the Academy of Natural Therapy. Laura has a very active mobile Equine and Equine Massage Therapy Practice. She also owns her own horses and dogs. Laura is one of the current “Lead Mentors” at the school. She is very key with alumni relations and helping to get our graduates places successfully. She has maintained a very successful massage therapy practice for many years. She teaches Neuromuscular 1, Sports Massage, Business, and Canine Massage.
Sheri McCaskill, Instructor of Herbology
Sheri is the instructor of herbology. She is a certified herbologist. She loves herbs and loves to teach. Every moment is filled with life enriching knowledge in the natural herbal world.
Wendy McCormick, Instructor of Medical Massage and trigger point
Wendy has obtained her Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy of Natural Therapy. She has worked for years at the hospital as a Medical Massage Therapist. She is the teacher of Medical Massage and trigger point.
Amy Smith, Instructor of Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Exercise & Nutrition
Amy graduated from the Denver School of Massage Therapy in 2006. She spent many years working in a spa in the mountains and, cultivated a thriving private practice in both Denver and Aspen. Amy taught at the massage school she attended from 2009-2016. After relocating to Fort Collins in early 2017 to open and animal sanctuary with her partner, she began looking for teaching opportunities closer to home. Amy graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese medicine in 2017 and is a licensed acupuncturist. She practices both massage and acupuncture in her home office in Fort Collins. Amy believes everyone in the world deserves and needs massage, and since she can’t massage everyone, teaching others is the next best thing. She is passionate about health and healing and wants to bring that to as many people as possible.
Katie Brigham, Director of Esthetics
Katie has a Masters in Education. She also is a licensed in Cosmetology and Esthetics. She is the Director of Esthetics. She instructs several classes and does curriculum writing for the school.
Nicholas Boyd | Clinic Manager
Nick is pulling double duty as a student at the Academy and as our Interim Clinic Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of our Professional Clinic. Originally a musician by trade, Nick has his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in jazz studies. His hobbies include hiking, biking, and cross stitching.
Alycia Muniz
Alycia is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She completed the Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy and has held Massage Therapy licensure since graduation. She has experience teaching at several schools.
Jaime Owens | LMT
Jaime has been practicing massage for over 20 years. She specializes in medical and customized therapeutic massage including soft tissue manipulation, deep tissue techniques, neuromuscular facilitation, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release, sports massage, and PNF Stretching. She has extensive course work in deep tissue, neuromuscular, and sports massage therapy as well as specialized training for TMJ, headache & migraine management, neck & shoulder issues, whiplash injury, shoulder pain & rehabilitation, and low back pain. Jaime believes in the power of massage to facilitate a balanced pain-free body, a relaxed and calm state of mind, and increased quality of life. Jaime’s goal is to facilitate pain reduction, ease chronic pain, and collaborate with the rehabilitation team to make lasting quality changes in strength, function, and balance.
Sifu Kurtis Tilley | LMT
Sifu Kurtis Tilley, LMT is a Loveland, CO native and an Academy of Natural Therapy Alumni. He teaches and practices Sports Massage, and works with the equine community as well. He has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2018 and has also been a martial arts instructor since 2012. Kurtis spends his free time with his family in Loveland, and is often outside in the Rocky Mountains.
Haley Nyarko/Gerk
Haley is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She has worked in the Academy clinic as well as a Medical Massage business for many years.
Wesley Cecil | CPM instructor
Wesley Cecil has dedicated much of his life to teaching and training across various fields. After a successful career in human resources, he semi-retired and embarked on a new journey in 2015 with the Academy of Natural Therapy. Since then, Wesley has remained actively involved with both the school and its clinic. During his time at the Academy, Wesley achieved significant milestones, including earning his 750-hour and 1,000-hour certifications, as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree. One of the highlights of his career was serving as a teaching assistant for Dorothy, the Academy’s founder, during her final advanced neurotherapy class. Under her mentorship, Wesley had the honor of learning the specialized skill of muscle testing.In his commitment to continued growth, Wesley has expanded his expertise to include Hawaiian Mana Lomi 1 and 2, cupping therapy, and even canine and equine massage, all studied at the Academy. He takes great pride in supporting students throughout their journey—from those early stages of uncertainty, through to graduation, when they stand with confidence, amazed at the depth of their knowledge and their proficiency in massage therapy
Brittany (Casey) Surlow | Coordinator
Brittany (known as Casey) Surlow is an alumni of Front Range Community College. She graduated with a degree in Business. Casey currently works full-time at the Academy as a Coordinator in the school and a Receptionist in the professional clinic. Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband. They are avid gamers and play DnD with both sides of the family. Casey also enjoys visiting Rennesance Festivals and dressing up in cosplay.
Andy Duncan
Andy is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. He specialized in Sport massage and rehabilitative massage. He has held a successful practice in Greeley Colorado for over 20 years. He has taught at the Academy for many years. He holds a bachelor degree as well.
Heather Muniz
Heather is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She completed the Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy and has been a massage therapist in the Academy Clinic for over 10 years.
AmySue Patterson
AmySue is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She also is a licensed Esthetician. She teaches in the Esthetician Program.
LeAnna Gary
LeAnna Gary is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She completed the Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy and has held a successful Massage Therapy practice for many years.
Dr. Jane Leavell
Dr. Jane is a world-renowned chiropractor. She is an enthusiastic instructor of Pathology and Anatomy and Physiology. She has taught around the nation and loves to share her expertise of the human body to eager students.