Could massage therapy help your horse?

Is your horse suffering from an injury or strain? Horse massage therapy may be able to bring relief and support healing. Or perhaps your horse is showing physical wear and tear from years of riding or tack that didn’t fit quite right, unbeknownst to you. Maybe your horse’s shoes were a little wrong. Whatever the reason, your horse may be sore, lame, engaging in new negative behavior or just not performing up to par. Maybe your horse needs a good massage or a series of equine massage therapy sessions.

Recently, alternative medicine enthusiasts have been rapidly spreading the word on the medical benefits of horse massage for their own horses. There has been research that supports the benefits of equine massage for health and performance. Like countless others, you might find that horse massage from a trained, experienced horse massage therapist could produce dramatic change in your horse.

So, what’s involved in horse massage therapy?

Equine massage therapy- evaluation and plan

Experienced horse massage therapists do not usually start with the massage sessions right away. Just like any other regular consultations, they begin with a health inspection of the horse before the equine therapy procedure is applied. Evaluation of the horse can include observing its physical attributes, stance, movements, and reactions to specific stimuli. All of these aspects are essential to the therapist’s implementation of the overall program he or she will be using for the horse. The massage sessions will typically start after this initial evaluation. A series of horse massage sessions including bodywork sessions and exercises will be put into play.

Types of horse massage therapy

The horse massage therapist may use acupressure points, similar to acupuncture points without the needles, when they conduct a horse massage. Others may do deep tissue work, touch your horse very lightly but effectively, use exercises, light, heat, herbs or oils, energy work such as reiki or other methods.

What you can expect from horse massage

The equine massage therapist will usually provide you with a comprehensive report of the horse’s initial evaluation and what things need to be targeted by the message therapy sessions. The report will also include observations and results from the massage therapy sessions. Whether it is a simple horse massage or a series of complex bodywork sessions, the therapist should provide you with an explanation and rationale for the massage work. The expected results should be explained to you in full detail as well.  Sometimes the results can be dramatic after the first session. Other times, many of the benefits will not be obvious for a few days or sessions. As sessions progress, you may expect your horse to show more relief and increased performance. When therapy is complete, you may also receive a post program evaluation of your horse’s performance and condition.

When should you check with your vet?

While horse massage can produce dramatic change and relief in your horse and also optimize your horse’s performance, some instances do not benefit by horse massage. You should always consult your veterinarian first to determine what is wrong and if equine therapy might help.

Get involved with your horse’s massage treatment

There are some therapists who would request your presence at the horse massage sessions as well. This is highly recommended. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and to observe how your horse is being a treated. The therapist may show you exercises to do with your horse or other pointers for your horse’s care.

What should you look for in a horse massage therapist?

Make sure the horse massage therapist you choose is trained, experienced and licensed according to your state’s laws. Some states only allow veterinarians to conduct horse massage, others require vet supervision and/or permission, and some allow licensed or unlicensed people to conduct horse massage. Check your state’s requirements. Check the therapist’s references. Certainly, make sure you are comfortable with the horse massage therapist before allowing them to work with your horse. It would be good to discuss with the therapist your goals for the massage therapy- a particular problem your horse is experiencing, general well-being of the horse or improved performance in competition.

Share your experiences with horse massage with us in the comment section below!

Learn more about the benfits of reiki for animals.

Here’s to your horse’s best natural health!

Val Lovejoy
Reiki Master and Animal Reiki Master
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

Does your Dog Need a Massage?

Why you should consider a massage for your dog

If you know you can appreciate a well delivered massage from time to time, why shouldn’t you allow your pet to have the same privilege?  In the Western world, massage may at first seem like a basic method of relaxing muscles and reducing tension.  Eastern beliefs carry the benefits of massage much further by utilizing specific acupressure techniques.  If you have ever had an acupressure treatment, you surely recognize the unbeatable results you experienced.  This helpful treatment is not just for people.  Dog massage has been popular in the Eastern world for centuries, but now the Western world is beginning to grasp the benefits as well.

Beginning your dog’s massage

If you are interested in taking your pet in to get a treatment, it is important you understand the procedure of dog massage.  A typical acupressure session begins with simple observation.  The licensed practitioner will monitor your dog’s movement, posture and other behaviors and make notes on a chart.  These important marks of patterns on the body will act as a cue for the practitioner as he begins the work.  Before they actually begin, they will ask your dog permission by speaking softly and lightly touching the animal to make sure he is comfortable.

Important stages in a dog massage

The dog massage begins at this point with a process called The Opening.  The practitioner will run a hand down the length of the canine’s body, from the eyes to the hind foot along an energy meridian, opening the energy flow in the whole body.  The Point Work begins after preparing the dog for the treatment.  This is done with the skilled hands of the practitioner, bringing balance and healing to your pet.  The Closing is the final step, performed to complete the treatment session.  It is same as The Opening—the message therapist will run a hand from the eye to the hind foot of the dog.  This closes the session, leaving the dog feeling relaxed and refreshed.  Depending on the animal itself, age, genetics and the condition being treated, a session can last from 20 to 60 minutes.

As you begin uncovering the wonders and benefits of dog massage, you will realize that your discoveries come from your and the practitioner’s intuition rather than anything specifically based one scientific theory.  Sometimes there are patterns of pain distribution that have no explanation from a Western standpoint and yet can gain successful treatment from Eastern remedies.  Open your mind to the idea of dog massage and begin seeing the results.

What experiences have you had with dog massage?

Share in the comment section below.

Learn more about animal massage and animal reiki healing.

May your beloved dog enjoy the very best natural health!
Val Lovejoy
Reiki Master and Animal Reiki
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

Animal Massage – Help Your Pet Feel Better

Sometimes after a busy day at work, nothing sounds more relaxing than getting a nice massage.  What about your loyal pet?  You may have never thought about it, but they could benefit from receiving a good rub down as well.  Animal massage may actually help your dog, cat, horse or other animal to live longer, healthier lives!  Pet owners are leading the popularity of animal massage as they look for more options for their beloved pets to be healthier, stronger and live longer.  Many pet owners are looking for remedies other than western medicine, and many veterinarians are responding by learning alternative healing techniques.

Acupressure and acupuncture points influence animal massage

China is home to the leading culture of acupuncture and acupressure.  These methods for treating many ailments date back thousands of years with a history in treating everyone from humans to livestock.  These healing methods are considered an art and a science by many practitioners. The difference between them is that acupressure uses the same theories as acupuncture, simply with the use of hands instead of needles.  Eastern healing techniques stem from the belief that every living thing is born with Chi, or energy, in their body.  The amount of Chi is depleted as you age, become ill, suffer from an injury or face a traumatic event.  Acupressure and massage are the means by which the flow of Chi can be restored to a person or animal.  Animal massage has begun to take off in popularity as people have seen the positive effects it has on them.

How animal massage works

As Western culture begins to grasp the benefits of acupressure and animal massage, it becomes easy to understand why the method works.  Stimulating certain acupressure points releases endorphins, can reduce pain, cause relaxation of muscles and promote highly oxygenated blood to flush toxins out of the problem area.  The ideal use of acupressure is as a preventative measure to maintain good health.  A professional practitioner will perform maintenance sessions with your pet every one to four weeks to keep them in top health.

How animal massage helps your pet

The power of animal massage is quite intriguing.  By utilizing the skills of an experienced practitioner, your pet can benefit from a healing method that can benefit a number of both acute and chronic conditions.  The number of recommended sessions for your pet will vary depending on the problem being treated, current age, lifestyle and genetics of the animal.  Receiving this rewarding treatment for your loyal pets will help you in your desire to promote a long healthy life for them.

Also, read about animal reiki and how this popular healing method can support pet’s health.

Please share your experiences with animal massage in the comment section below.

Blessings for your pet’s best natural health.

Val Lovejoy
Reiki and Animal Reiki Master Teacher
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

The Power of Reiki for Your Pet’s Natural Health Care

Reiki is a healing treatment that is painless and gentle.  Additionally, it delivers a powerful healing punch to humans and animals alike.  In fact, animal Reiki is possibly more effective on pets than people because animals have a higher energy frequency in their bodies than people.

What is Reiki?

The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words, Rei (ray) translating to “universal consciousness” and Ki (key) meaning “life energy.”  The ancient method was restored to practice in Japan and is now gaining popularity in the Western world, as well.

Animal Reiki is a versatile treatment with the ability to treat both chronic and acute physical pain, mental instability and emotional trauma.  Reiki treatment is based on the idea that there is a line of energy running through every living thing.  This means that Reiki can provide help to anything that is alive.  Areas of energy gather into metaphorical pools in certain areas of the body, known as chakras.  Humans have seven chakras while animals share these seven with an additional eighth chakra.  Physical, mental or emotional pain and trauma can block off chakras, inhibiting the flow of energy to other areas of the body.  Reiki is a treatment designed to open up these blocked channels and restore balance to the flow of energy throughout the body.

The benefits of an animal reiki healing session for your pet

The benefits of animal Reiki can be seen immediately, even during the session itself.  The animals can become relaxed during treatment.  They may even fall asleep!  Sometimes the opposite effect takes place and the animal is energized and invigorated from the treatment.  Different reactions are the result of each specific animal and the problem that is incapacitating them.  A Reiki healing session can vary in length from only five or ten minutes to well over an hour.  The difference depends on how much healing the animal needs and how responsive they are to the treatment.

An animal reiki healing session ends when the animal has absorbed all the energy it instinctively knows it needs and slowly gets up and walks away.  Many times an animal that has just completed treatment will say “thanks” with a nose nuzzle or gentle lick.  It is truly fascinating to watch a session and observe the flows of energy opening up and being restored to a healthy level.  Remember that while the benefits of animal Reiki are undeniable and are sure to support the best natural heath of your pet, it should be used as a complimentary remedy alongside regular veterinary care.

Share your experiences with animal reiki for pet in the comment section below.

Read more about alternative healing for pets.

May you and your pet enjoy your best natural health.

Val Lovejoy
Reiki and Animal Reiki Master
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

Parrot Feather Picking – A Surprise

 
Last year, my 14 year old African Grey parrot, Boo, started picking her feathers. She had never done this before. I was very worried because I didn’t know how far her picking would progress and if it would become health threatening. Some parrots can start self mutilating and create dangerous wounds.
 
My parrot started picking under her wings, then her legs, continuing to her chest and throat. She started looking very mangy. She did not start self mutilating, thankfully.
 
Where she used to love to shower with me and cry loudly if I was too rushed to let her shower, she now shunned the shower. She didn’t want it and would hunker miserably on me if I insisted. A spritz with a mister was tolerated if followed by a treat.

  
The weirdest thing about Boo’s feather picking was that it occurred almost entirely at night after we went to bed.

 
I could hear her plucking the feathers out. I tried bringing her in the bedroom with me to sleep in her travel cage. I thought maybe she was having abandonment anxiety. That didn’t work. She still picked.
 
Ignoring her did not reduce the feather picking.

I gave her lots of reiki. She still picked.

 
We went to the vet.

 
She had an exam, blood and fecal tests. All tests were normal. Boo was in otherwise superb health.

 
The vet thought it might be dietary. 

 
I have fed Boo Harrison’s Bird Food pellets- the Adult Lifetime Course with Pepper- since she was very young. She loves it and it’s an organic, superior feed. The vet suggested I get the kind without pepper- that perhaps the pepper was being irritating. I did. No change.

 
Boo’s diet was also supplemented with apple, dried cranberries, grape, sometimes mango, green veggies, other veggies (although leafy greens get flung out of her cage with disgust), safflower seeds (1 teaspoon). I also confess to feeding her occasional treats. I try to feed her mostly organic and natural food.

 
The vet said to just add the veggies. No seeds, fruit, bread or other treats. She was not happy. And the picking continued. I finally relented and added 1 slice of apple, chopped. As many months have passed, I now give her occasional minuscule amounts of seed, fruits and treats.

 
The vet next suggested perhaps it was sexual hormones.

 
Her amorous attraction to me had passed years ago. She occasionally developed a crush on a new person.

 
He suggested I limit my close time with her and the “bird massage” she so loved. But the picking had started at a time when I was very busy and had less than usual time to old and groom her.

 
I tried telling her “No picking!” sharply when I heard her picking at night.

 
She would stop sometimes. But I would awaken the next morning to the little tell tale bits of feather in her cage that showed she had resumed picking while I slept. Perhaps she’ll write a confessional memoir- “Secrets of a Closet Picker”!

 
I had about given up and resigned us both to her feather picking.

 
Suddenly, at the beginning of spring, she had a huge molt.

 
She had not had a major molt in well over a year. I thought maybe her feathers would grow back in and she would leave them alone.

 
She continued to pick. A few weeks went by. I was disappointed.

Then, I noticed her feathers were growing in! The bare patches were starting to shrink! There were no more nightly yips as she pulled feathers…because she had stopped!

 
Very rapidly, her feathers grew in and she is looking pretty much like her beautiful old self. She has the lovely soft gray body and vivid red tail of the African Grey parrot. And…she loves her showers again, too.

 
So, what caused Boo’s feather picking?

 
I am not sure, but I think it was connected to the lack of a major molt for so long. Perhaps it was hormonal or biochemical, such as the amount of light. I had tried darkening Boo’s cage at night even more than it was and making sure she got plenty of sleep, but perhaps she needed more light.

 
Another thing that occurred when Boo started picking was my Scottie dog, MacGregor, developed cancer. He died in the winter. Boo was close to him (although he was not close to her) and was very upset at his illness and death.

What experiences has your bird had with feather picking? What causes and treatments of feather picking in birds do you know about?

 
Please share in the comment section.

You might also like to read –

 Alternative Healing for Pets

May you and your bird always be healthy and happy,

Val Lovejoy
Animal Healing and Reiki
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

This is the second part of a series on alternative veterinary medicine for cancer in a dog. In Part 1, I discussed the use of chemotherapy and Chinese herbs. My 12 year old Scottish terrier, MacGregor, had lymphoma cancer. Here, MacGregor gets acupuncture treatments.

 photo © Val Lovejoy

In addition to the Chinese herbs protocol, MacGregor, my Scottie dog, was given acupuncture treatments every two weeks. The exam and the acupuncture treatment took about 30 minutes. Usually, the vet, who was trained and experienced in veterinary acupuncture, placed needles by the spine and sometimes on some leg points.

MacGregor did not seem to mind the treatments. Typically he would squirm and fuss if asked to stay in one position for long. He stood still and was patient with his acupuncture treatments, though. They did not hurt him.

Afterwards, MacGregor seemed to feel better as evidenced by being more active and having more energy. This lasted several days after an acupuncture treatment.

I am not saying that the acupuncture had any anticancer effect. The vet did not present it to me as having any such effect. It did seem to support his overall vitality and well being and I was glad I gave him the treatments.

MacGregor gets animal reiki to help support his well being during cancer treatment

I also gave MacGregor reiki natural healing energy along his jaw and the trunk of his body. I did this once to several times per week for about 1-2 minutes. Most of the times he welcomed it and seemed relaxed afterwards. Sometimes his appetite increased. Occasionally, he didn’t want it and I honored him. It is very important not to push reiki on an animal. I let him set the duration of the reiki session, too.

Despite MacGregor’s excellent response to the Chinese herbs for several months, the acupuncture and reiki supportive work, the dietary changes and the Prednisone, he died about 7 months after he first became ill. He was just shy of turning 13.

Except for the very beginning when he became ill and a couple of days at the very end, he had excellent quality of life. He enjoyed his wading and fishing, walks and tours of town. I was glad I was able to give him the treatment that I did and that he had such excellent vets.

I still miss my little guy.

What have been your experiences with veterinary acupuncture and animal reiki? Have you known any dogs with cancer and what treatments were helpful?

Please share in the comment section.

Read Part 1 on MacGregor’s Chinese herb treatment for canine cancer and the chemotherapy decision.

With support and heartfelt good wishes to all dogs with cancer,

Val Lovejoy
Animal reiki and energy master
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

About a year ago, my Scottish terrier dog, Macgregor, was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Lymphoma in dogs is fatal, usually within a couple of months if left untreated.

Photo © Val Lovejoy

I was stunned.

Macgregor had been my best buddy for over 12 years. The thought of losing him was very hard. Even harder was the thought that he might suffer along the way.

 
The options for my dog with lymphoma cancer:

I didn’t know what to do. And the vets simply presented options without much guidance for the decision.

MacGregor had very rare tumors in his mouth. Because of the location, they could not be surgically removed. That left oral and IV chemotherapy and alternative veterinary medicine as the options.

We started little Gregs on Prednisone and the response was dramatic. The tumors shrank in days to small lumps and he regained his energy. I was warned, and the literature showed, that this might be effective for up to two months- or less. This prognosis wasn’t much better than without the Prednisone, but he felt a whole lot better.

To chemotherapy or not to chemotherapy

I took him to Seattle to a veterinary oncologist. She was very pleasant and kind and also clearly was an expert. She suggested oral or IV chemotherapy. The oral chemotherapy only offered 2-6 months. The IV chemotherapy offered up to a year or so- maybe. Both options were expensive. Some protocols cost thousands of dollars.

They say chemotherapy is bettered tolerated in dogs than humans. Still, with treatments every two weeks or so, depending on the chosen protocol, Macgregor would be tired, have a little fever, and possibly be nauseous or have diarrhea for a couple of days a few days after each treatment. Both options ran the risk of a sudden severe life threatening crisis which would require a rush to the vet hospital an hour away.

I agreed to give Macgregor one dose of the milder oral chemotherapy while I thought over the options. Macgregor was indeed tired and feeling a bit low for a couple of days a few days later. It had no other effect. Of course, it was only one dose; I wouldn’t have expected much.

I made the very difficult decision to forgo the chemotherapy.
 
I did not want MacGregor to have days of feeling lousy while we tried to give him a few extra months. The possibility of a life threatening crisis was scary, too. Also, the extreme cost was a factor. If it was just the finances and the chemo would have cured him or given him years of feeling fine, I would have borne the cost.

Please note that many people who have chosen chemotherapy for their pets have been very satisfied with the results. If you have a pet with cancer, talk to your vet about the options.

MacGregor remained in partial remission from the cancer on Prednisone.

We explored alternative veterinary medicine for cancer.

Meanwhile, I had already contacted a vet with considerable training and experience in both western and alternative veterinary medicine. He suggested Chinese herbs and acupuncture in addition to the Prednisone. Neither treatment usually has significant adverse side effects. The Chinese herbs might give MacGregor 6 or 7 months of additional, high quality life. This was as good as all but the most aggressive, severe and risky chemotherapy. An added bonus was that the alternative treatments were a reasonable and doable cost.

After examining Macgregor, the doc prescribed three types of Chinese herbs for MacGregor. They all looked alike- little round black pills, although each one smelled differently.

The Chinese herbs had odd, magical names- Stasis Breaker, Wei Qi Booster, and strangest of all- Stasis in the Mansion of the Blood. I fervently hoped they would indeed be magical.

The vet said sometimes the Chinese herbs are not effective. The good news was we would know very quickly if they were having any postive effects.

In Chinese medicine, energy, or qi (chi), is what gives us life and health. If qi is blocked, sluggish and pooling, too intense, or escaping, illness can result.

Qi should be balanced and neither too hot nor too cold.
 

My vet told me to avoid giving Gregs any ‘hot’ foods- not temperature hot, but hot in terms of firing up energy. Duck was ok, chicken was not, and so on. There was a list. It made no logical sense. I just followed instructions.

The herbs are a hit.

MacGregor tolerated the Chinese herbs just fine. In fact, he quickly learned to love them as I gave them to him in small hamburger balls. He would come running when I would call, “Pills!” Later, he would search me out and whine when it was time for his pills.

MacGregor had mostly good days and just a few ‘not so good’ days. On good days, he was like his regular self, wanting to go to the beach to wade and ‘fish’ or cruise the main street of ‘his’ town checking out the people, dogs and activities. On not so good days, he seemed tired and napped a lot, but did not seem otherwise sick or in discomfort.

More Chinese herbs

The Prednisone started to lose its effectiveness. The tumors mushroomed hugely. My vet increased the Chinese herbs dosage. The tumors began to shrink and then disappeared altogether! I was thrillingly amazed!

While I was very happy (as was Gregs), I didn’t fool myself that he was cured. I knew this was a remission. But, hey, it was truly wonderful.

In the next article, I’ll give the rest of the story, including a description of animal reiki with MacGregor and his veterinary acupuncture treatments.

Have you had any experiences with cancer in animals or with alternative veterinary practices?

 
Share them with us in the comment section.

Want to learn more about using alternative healing with animals?

Read Part 2 of this series,  Acupuncture in a Dog with Cancer.

 
Wishing your pet vibrant, natural health!
 
Val Lovejoy
Animal Reiki and Energy Master
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com

Pets and animals benefit from natural health and alternative healing modalities, too. 

Animal alternative health practices of acupuncture, chiropractic, acupressure, massage, reiki, energy healing, herbs, homeopathy, flower essences and essential oils are all used with animals and pets.
  
Animal chiropractic, acupuncture and possibly acupressure and massage will usually be restricted by state law to a licensed professional. Some states may also regulate reiki, animal reiki, energy healing, herbs, homeopathy, flower essences and essential oils and any other animal alternative health practice. Check your state for its requirements.

  
Animal reiki and animal healing energy are the focus of this article. 

 
Many animals respond quite well to reiki and energy healing. Animal reiki and animal healing energy have been used positively on dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses and all sorts of other pets and exotic animals.

 
Look for a trained reiki practitioner, reiki master or energy healer with experience working with animals.

  
Generally, animals need less reiki and energy work than humans do. This is primarily due to several influences:

• Animals are usually more aware of and sensitive to energy. Many people have lost their conscious awareness of energy.
• Animals are usually aligned with the energy in their lives and in their environment. For example, horses, being prey animals, are very sensitive and exquisitely attuned to the energy around them. Animals naturally move in concert with the energy around them. Humans often override the energy around them and live in opposition to it.
• Animals make good use of the reiki and healing energy they receive and don’t try to subconsciously undo its beneficial effects the way some humans do.
•  Some very small animals have smaller energy systems, although animal size is not usually a significant factor in the amount of reiki or energy work needed.

 
So, when working with animals energetically, less is usually good. 

The primary factor in giving energy to pets and animals is to let the animal do the guiding. I cannot stress that enough.

 
Offer reiki and energy healing

The practitioner should offer reiki and energy healing to an animal. Don’t force it! Offer it. If the animal moves away, they should wait a few minutes and offer it again. The pet might just be wondering what you are doing. If the animal moves away on the second offering, he or she probably does not want or need the healing energy at this time. Honor your pet’s wisdom!

Reiki- hands on or hands above the body?

 
The animal may accept the healing touch physically or may prefer reiki be given above their body with no physical touch.  Both are equally effective.
 
Birds often don’t like to be touched, some cats don’t, and even some dogs don’t. Wild animals should usually not be given direct physical touch. And certainly, if aggression seems like a possibility with any animal, don’t give direct physical touch. The healing energy works fine from a distance.

Don’t get too physically close to wild animals.

Wild animals can behave unpredictably when hurt or ill. You don’t want to get hurt, either. Distant reiki (given by a reiki Level 2 practitioner or reiki master) can work very well with wild animals as the practitioner can be as far away as need be and still be effective.

Follow your intuition

 
The practitioner should let intuition and your pet be the guide as to where to place the hands around their body.
 
Let the animal choose to end the healing session or, if you or the practitioner feel intuitively that the session needs to be stopped sooner, do so.

After the session observe your pet.

Make sure they have fresh water available and can rest or sleep if they want to. They may need to go to the toilet. Or, they may ask for food. You can give them a small amount.
 

Also note how you feel in your body and any thoughts, images, or feelings that arise in you during and after sessions. Sometimes, you can receive communication from them about their needs. Or you may get guidance from spiritual reality. Ask the practitioner to share any information they may have received.

 
Your practitioner should be willing to answer any questions you may have before, during and after sessions.

Keep a journal of the energy work with animals. Note reactions and effects during and after sessions.
 

Lastly- and most importantly- always, always, always consult your licensed veterinary professional for all your pet’s health issues. We love vets. This material is not designed to diagnose or treat disease. It is not a substitute for veterinary care.

 
For more information see-

What is Reiki?

 
What have been your experiences with reiki and healing with pets and animals?

I’m very interested to hear your stories. Please leave them in a comments below.

Here’s to your pet’s very best natural health and happiness,
 
Val Lovejoy
Reiki Master
www.thrivenaturalhealth.com