Animal Healing

Like so many of us, Jo has a deep love for animals. It is the innocence in their eyes which affects her so deeply. Having always longed to get involved with healing animals, she was delighted to discover Zoopharmacognosy. Jo set about finding out how she could learn this amazing method of facilitating the animal self-healing process.

It felt so natural for Jo to extend her practice from using herbal medicine to heal humans, now to animal healing. She has completed several training courses and gained qualifications on animal spiritual (energy) healing, animal communication and self-selection (zoo pharmacognosy).

Zoopharmacognosy, also known as self-selection or sensory enrichment, is the study of how animals self-medicate using plants or minerals such as salt or clay. Animals ingest, inhale or even apply plants topically by rolling in plants (or mud). Left to their own innate intelligence, animals know exactly what they need, and it is a great joy to give them that power of choice in their healing journey.

Being a medical herbalist, the choice of plant is a common language that both the animal and Jo understand. It is as if the herbs act as a Rosetta Stone for Jo. If an animal chooses herbs like Chamomile and Calendula, these suggest digestive issues whilst, for instance, Birch and Yarrow tend to be chosen for pain relief. Other herbs like Valerian and Rose are used by animals for stress or anxiety.

It is incredible how clearly animals communicate their wants and needs when we give them the time and space to express their wishes.

Here are some animal stories from Jo’s animal healing work:-

Kits, the cat

Kits was such a stressed cat that she had lost large patches of fur on her legs and back. She communicated that she needed a hidey-hole high up, and it had to have a pink mohair to snuggle into. You can see Kits on her blanket looking splendid below.

Paddy, the horse

A beautiful horse clearly communicated to Jo that it was not enough for him to be in a paddock next to other horses. He wanted a friend in his paddock so that he could be in physical contact. His guardian was delighted to know the information, and just at that moment a pony who had lost his field mate walked by with his guardian.

Both guardians had a chat and the next day the horses were released into the field together. The guardian was so happy to see her horse so content, and when I visited him in his field, he came up to her and gave her a lovely thank you cuddle.

Star, the mare.

Star is a beautiful warmblood mare. She was heavily pregnant and overdue, but showing no signs of preparing to deliver her foal. Mel was worried as she had booked to go on holiday, and she did not want to leave Star alone.

We brought Star into her stable and gently offered her herbs and essential oils. She very quickly understood the process and started making it clear which herbs interested her, and where she wanted oils applied. To Mel’s joy, within half an hour, for the first time, Star started to lactate. She was relaxed with soft eyes, as she was clearly enjoying her special treatment. In these moments, you feel very close to the horse, and Mel and I both at the same time realised that Star had had enough. She enjoyed a last refreshing inhalation of Peppermint, and then we led her back into her paddock for the evening.

The next morning a beautiful foal was standing with her, and Mel could go on holiday knowing that Star is an excellent mother.

Self-selection and healing is a very joyful experience for both the animal and the guardian of that animal. The animal quickly engages with the process and the human really enjoys finding out more about their beloved four-legged friend.

Price:

£75.00 per session.

Payable by bank transfer in advance of session.