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Holistic Living
Holistic Pet Care
Learn to Truly Care For Your pets by working with a Practitioner
by Margarat Nee
I probably notice more details than most people do when I encounter a dog. I may notice the slight stiffness in the back, the purple tongue, the hesitation in the eyes when I approach to say “hi,” as well as the vibrant energy of an animal in the full bloom of health. Even though animals cannot tell us in words how they are feeling, there are so many subtle signs that they use to indicate what they want to tell us. Our pets are exposed to the same stresses of modern life as we are, and holistic therapies can help them cope.
While people are making more use of complementary and holistic care for themselves, they may not know that these services are available for their pets too. Acupressure, Reiki, Flower Essence Therapy, and other non-invasive healing modalities can help our companion animals just as they help us. Alongside these forms of wellness support is an increasing interest in feeding and teaching our companion animals in ways that are more naturally suited to their bodies and minds. Raw, fresh-food diets and dog-friendly training methods are becoming easier to find every day.
Many people don’t realize that our domestic pets retain a natural instinct to hide their infirmities. After all, a wild animal doesn’t want to appear sick to others who may take advantage of its weakness. It takes an experienced eye to recognize a subtle collection of imbalances that indicate a deeper problem.
Through observation of the physical body and behavior, the assessment techniques of traditional Chinese medicine used in animal acupressure can offer one way for practitioners to listen to the animals’ bodies and minds. For example, if your pet exhibits fearful or aggressive behavior, it may be linked to physical problems or energetic imbalances that a holistic practitioner can help you identify and treat.
Acupressure is appropriate for almost any animal and can be used to maintain health and head off serious problems. Seemingly unrelated issues can indicate a pattern of imbalance that can be remedied with acupressure and other modalities, so pet owners shouldn’t be surprised at the breadth of questions a practitioner may ask. Some of the specific conditions that acupressure can help with include recovery from injuries or surgery, digestion problems, pain, allergy symptoms, and conditions of old age.
Animals are naturally responsive to acupressure and other modes of energetic healing. It’s not unusual for them to present their “trouble spots” during a session, and they become remarkably relaxed, often surprising their owners who expect them to resist any kind of prolonged hands-on treatment. It’s a wonderful feeling when formerly fearful or guarded animals welcome you into their homes for their follow-up treatments.
When looking for a holistic practitioner for your pet, it’s important to remember that properly trained and ethical practitioners will always make it abundantly clear that their services are not a substitute for proper veterinary care, but are complementary to the care given by your veterinarian and will remind you that only veterinarians can diagnose disease. Certification is available in acupressure, as well as in many other treatment modalities, so you should ask about a practitioner’s training and experience.
For example, as a certified small animal acupressure practitioner, I was trained by the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute to provide a comprehensive assessment of each animal that I see. I have learned that both physical and behavioral indicators are observed and collected together to create a unique treatment plan for each animal.
It’s vital for people to become active in their pet’s health, from learning about the importance of fresh food to understanding the care provided by their veterinarian and the other practitioners. A good practitioner will educate you on your pet’s care, because your day-to-day support is the foundation of their continuing health. Every animal deserves fresh food, fresh air, physical and intellectual activities, a reduction of toxins in its environment, and loving and respectful care. This is a holistic approach in which treatments like acupressure fit right in.
Margarat Nee of The Art Of Dog is a certified small animal acupressure practitioner as well as a level two Reiki practitioner, with an extensive history in the dog care and training profession. You can learn more about her services online at theartofdog.com, or by calling 760.753.1982.