Jo has drawn on many years of experience to produce a unique
approach to the health, wellbeing and understanding of animals.
This approach combines animal massage, Kinesiology, Reiki, intuitive healing, aromatic plants and oils, reflexology,
sound, colour and communication. Jo predominantly works with horses
and dogs, but has also had success with cats, goats, cows, rats and sheep. She believes her approach could help any animal.
Jo also runs regular workshops and practitioner
training courses in animal therapy. More information is available below.
What can a therapy session do for my animal?
Jo has used her therapies to help relieve muscular tension,
back pain, improve muscle tone, stimulate circulation, improve movement and co-ordination, relieve respiratory, urinary and
skin problems, stimulate wound/injury healing, aid toxin elimination, help with behavioural and emotional problems such as
spooking, wind sucking, depression, aggression, lethargy / stubborness, and generally help communication and understanding
between owner and animal.
What happens in an animal therapy session?
Jo gears her therapy sessions to suit the individual animal, often using
a combination of her skills.
Kinesiology is used to help assess the animal's body
for physical and energy imbalances, and to help prioritise his or her needs.
After the assessment, techniques such as accupressure,
emotional release points, lymphatic reflex massage, muscular or meridian massage points are used to re-balance the system.
This approach is effective with both physical and emotional / behavioural issues. Kinesiology can also direct the session to the use of other therapies
(see below). An equine or canine massage
therapy session can release tight muscles, stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation, and aid in elimination of toxins within
the muscles. Massage can also improve flexibility, improve performance, help maintain fitness and prevent injury.
During an animal Reiki
session, a light touch is applied to the body to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms, release of physical
and emotional stress and bring the body back into balance. Reiki can also help with communication.
For further information on Reiki, please click here.
Jo may incorporate Reflexology
into a therapy session, applying gentle massage to reflex points on the legs, feet and/or ears. For example, there are points
on the feet, which when stimulated can help with gait, posture and co-ordination.
For
further information on Reflexology, please click here.
Jo has studied with Carolyne Ingraham, the world's leading
expert in Zoopharmacognosy (animals'
innate ability to choose plant oils and extracts to benefit their health and wellbeing). Jo has had great success
working with behavioural problems, lethargy, skin disorders, stiffness and pain, and respiratory problems. She also
teaches introductory workshops. See course details or below for further information.
Sound and/or
colour may be used to help release emotional or physical tension, and stimulate the animal's natural
healing mechanisms.
Jo uses Kinesiology with Reiki to aid in communication
with the animal. This is particularly useful where behaviour is a problem.
NB: Jo is fully qualified and insured to work on animals,
however veterinary permission is required first.
How often will my animals
need a session with Jo?
In some cases just one session can make
all the difference. Sometimes a few are needed, fairly close together, to gently clear any imbalances. You will
receive specific recommendations according to your animal's needs. Jo
receives a lot of positive feedback from owners who arrange regular 'maintenance sessions' (about 1 month apart).
As a minimum, Jo recommends maintenance sessions every 4 - 6 months.
How long does a session take, and
how much will it cost?
Sessions take approximately one hour, and
are priced at £35 per individual.
Prices do not include petrol /travel
costs. This is calculated on an individual basis (no charge under 8 miles). Discounts are given for group bookings. Please contact Jo for more information.
Workshops and Training in Animal
Therapy:
Reiki: Jo runs Reiki level 1 and Reiki level 2 practitioner courses for those who particularly want to work with animals. Each course comprises of two full days
approximately three weeks apart, plus homework.
Zoopharmacognosy (animal aromatics): Jo
runs introductory workshops into Zoopharmacognosy. These provide animal owners and therapists with information on some
of the most popular oils and dried powders, plus includes practical application.
Please click here for more information on Zoopharmacognosy.
Healing Tools: This workshop explores sound, colour, magnets, crystals and essences
as a means of enhancing health and well-being.
Massage: Jo runs certificated training
courses in Merishia massage for horses and dogs. This involves completion of an extensive home study pack, a full days practical training (or two days if you are doing both
equine and canine), plus follow up assignments and case studies. Please contact Jo if you are interested.
Kinesiology: Jo runs demonstration and introductory
workshops into Kinesiology and muscle testing in animal therapy, such as her workshops in 'Sound therapy for us and our animals' and 'Reading the horse's response'.
A full professional Animal Kinesiology course will be running from Summer 2010. For
more information, please contact Jo via the enquiries page or call her on 01273 299611. The canine and equine massage course are
a pre-requisite for Animal Kinesiology training, as is Touch for Health (parts 1 - 4): see below.
Touch for Health Kinesiology incorporates methods which can be used to
benefit pets, and can be incorporated in to other animal therapies, as well as providing a foundation for Animal Kinesiology
training. Jo runs regular Touch for Health Kinesiology courses in Sussex and Oxfordshire (2 days training per part,
and 4 parts in total). Please click here for more information on learning Kinesiology as an animal therapy.
Natural horse training and care: Jo runs Horse Listening workshops with Caroline Baldock (4 years experience working with Monty Roberts in California, and writer of
his first 4 books).
These workshops are aimed at riders, horse owners, riding instructors, vets and equine therapists.
They are designed to help you to communicate better with horses, to help iron out behavioural problems, and to teach
you how horses can help you to enhance both their and your wellbeing.
The full Horse Listening
Diploma training, which also includes complementary therapies, enables graduates to work as Horse Listening practitioners.
Please click here for information on upcoming courses, or contact Jo (01273 299611).
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A few examples of Jo's work with animals:
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| 'Smelly' taking in some aromatic oils |
Smelly: 'Smelly' the ex racer (above and below) had
to wear a tight collar most of the time to prevent him from wind sucking. With help from Jo he now no longer wears the
collar, and has grown both in confidence and in body, and his condition and muscle tone have hugely improved.
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| 'Smelly' looking fabulous without the collar! |
Huey: Huey the dog had very
irritating allergy problems. He was constantly scratching his ears and chewing his paws until they were red and becoming infected.
Within just a couple weeks of working with him, the irritation had completely subsided.
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| Huey selected spirulina to help his condition |
Pip: Jo was
calles in to help a ribby show pony called Pip (pictured below) who often nervously wind sucked and had
terrible digestion. After only two sessions, the windsucking subsided and he was putting on weight. In addition he was also
moving better when ridden! Jo helped Pip again, a year on, after injury to a carpal ligament had left him very lame and miserable.
The veterinary prognosis was very poor. After four sessions with Jo, his mood had improved hugely, his overall health
was very good and he was walking better. After calmly enjoying his first day in the field for over a month, his
owner contacted Jo to tell her 'Pip is better than I ever expected. If he stays like this
we wont lose him. Thanks for all you have done. We tell everyone that you saved his life'. Jo continues to visit Pip occassionally for top up sessions. Through aromatics he is now releasing some
emtional trauma from his early years in an intensive showing routine. He also loves massage and meridian therapy, and
is going from strength to strength.
18 months on from his 'life threatening' injury Pip
is now enjoying work again, and is even competing.
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| 'Pip' - happy to be given the choice to recover to good health |
Seb: Jo was called to help a foal at the Retreat rescue Centre
in Southwick, Sussex.
Seb, the 5 month old New Forest foal had badly damaged his face when his head collar got caught
in fencing over night. He had struggled to the point of exhaustion, and was found literally hanging from his head collar
in the morning. He spent the best part of a week in intensive care, and it was suggested several times that he should
be put down, but Annie, owner of the rescue centre wanted to give him every chance to survive.
He was released
from the vets with uncertainty as to how he would cope with bad facial wounds, nerve damage and possible brain and spinal
damage. He was able to walk but was pretty wobbly, and was semi-paralysed in his face.
A week later had very low
energy due to infection of the wound, causing the skin to literally rot off of his nose, exposing the bone. Jo, who
was working alongside veterinary intervention, offered him a variety of aromatic oils to enable him to self select those
which would be most beneicial for healing. He keenly inhaled and licked a certain few. She also applied blue yarrow
oil to his wounds and packed them with clay.
A week later, the infection had gone and Seb was strong on his feet, even
daring to canter around his paddock.
Two weeks later and the gaping whole on his face had reduced to a slit of a scab.
He was very bright and confident, still with some facial paralysis, but definitely improved.
A year on:
Seb is in great health, bounding about his field, with no paralysis and barely any evidence of his wound.
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| Seb's wound with blue yarrow and clay |
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| Seb's nose two weeks later, nearly healed |
Harley: Jo worked on the event
stallion, Greenbank's Harlequin (below), over a period of about a year and a half, during which time he went from
Novice to Advanced level. The stallion loved his therapy sessions so much, he would occassionally lie down while being worked
on! These sessions clearly had a very calming effect on Harley, keeping him balanced in both body and mind.
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| Greenbanks Harlequin on his way to a win |
Half: 'Half' the goat (below), a resident of Spitafields
city farm, was suffering with arthritis in her pelvis. She was incredibly directive during her therapy session, using
her body language to ask Jo for Reiki and aromatics. Having chosen garlic oil to inhale, devils claw and rosehips as her favourite
remedies, followed by some more Reiki, Half was very happy indeed. Infact, the garlic Jo left for her became a favourite among
Half and her friends. A couple of weeks on, the farm manager reported
back that Half as she was walking much more comfortably.
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| 'Half' the goat choosing her remedies. |
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| Hector thoroughly enjoying a massage to help relieve hip problems. |
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| Students practising Reiki |
Please click here for more of Jo's animal case histories.
For information on courses click here
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