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, aromatics, 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).
For further information on Kinesiology, please click here
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.
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.
Sound and/or colour may be used to help release emotional or physical
tension, and stimulate the animal's natural healing mechanisms.
Jo has also studied with Carolyne Ingraham, the world leader in Animal Aromatics (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.
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 3 weeks apart).
How long does a session take, and how much will it cost?
The initial session can take up to 90 minutes (£35). Following sessions about 60 minutes (£25).
Maintenance sessions (recommended once a month to help maintain health) are around 45 minutes (£20).
Prices do not include petrol /travel costs. This is calculated on an individual basis
(no charge under 10 miles).
Discounts may be 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.
Massage: From September 2008, Jo will be running
certificated training courses in Merisha 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.
These workshops are an ideal foundation you are interested
in becoming a practitioner in Kinesiology, and would like to incorporate into to working with animals. Please contact
Jo for more information.
Jo runs regular Touch for Health Kinesiology courses in
Sussex and Oxfordshire (2 days training per part, and 4 parts in total).
Touch for Health is an effective therapy for animal wellbeing.
However, if you wish to use Kinesiology in animal therapy, it is recommended that you first complete 1st and 2nd
Reiki practitioner courses, or are already qualified and insured in an animal therapy. Please click here for information on Touch for Health part 1.
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.
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' 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! |
Jo has worked on a variety of animals including Huey the dog (pictured
above left) who she has helped with allergy problems. He was constantly scratching his ears and chewing his paws. Within
just a couple weeks the irritation completely subsided.
In 2006 Jo worked with 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. A year on from his 'life threatening' injury he is now ready to work again.
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| 'Pip' - happy to be given the choice to recover to good health |
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' 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 |
For information on courses click here
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