Two Alternative Therapies YOU Can Do
Two Alternative Therapies YOU Can Do
by Healey Lockett

As an aware, compassionate pet parent , you want to do as much as you can to care for your pet. This is especially challenging when they’re undergoing a health crisis. Even routine, non-emergent healthcare practices – spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, grooming – can cause our pets stress and fear.
What if there was something you could do to help alleviate those negative emotions and help your pet feel calm and relaxed, even help with reducing pain and inflammation? Would you do it?
I want to introduce you to two of my favorite alternative therapies that are suitable for literally anyone to perform on their pet – or themselves!
Tellington Touch
Developed by Linda Tellington-Jones in the 1970’s as a method for training horses, she soon expanded it to encompass all animals, and humans. It’s even gaining acceptance in hospitals.
From the website www.ttouch.com this modality uses “Gentle body work called Tellington TTouch comprised of circular touches, lifts and slides.” TTouch can help resolve health and behavioral issues by fostering respect and communication. The body work is simple, but works by establishing “a deeper rapport between humans and animals.”
TTouch
TTouch is essential a gentle massage of the skin. It doesn’t require a lot of force or pressure as deep tissue massage does. Massage feels as good to animals as it does to people, but TTouch claims that these particular bodywork maneuvers stimulate healing on a deeper, cellular level.

Reiki
Reiki is an energy healing modality. Unlike TTouch, Reiki does not involve manipulation or movement of the skin. Reiki is done with the hands lightly placed upon the body, or within 2 inches. At higher levels of practice, Reiki can be performed at a distance.
The word Reiki has been defined as “universal life force” or sometimes “spiritually directed life force energy”. Mikao Usui developed the practice in Japan in the 1920’s. The practitioner acts as a conduit for the life force energy, allowing it to flow into the recipient through the practitioner’s hands.
The most immediate and obvious effects are relaxation and pain relief, but Reiki often produces far more profound effects. Reiki acts on four levels of well-being – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Practitioners often find their intuition and sensitivity to their own animals is greatly enhanced.
You Don’t Have to Believe
I can hear you, “Oh, come on. Really?” Yes. Belief is based on faith, but these two modalities show real results that have nothing to do with wishful thinking.
You can explore this linked page for the numerous studies involving TTouch. Reiki therapy has been scientifically documented to reduce stress, and is measured by heart rate and blood pressure. A search with the terms “Reiki in peer-reviewed journals” will give you ample reading material.
Both have shown statistically significant beneficial effects in multiple controlled studies. And that is something you can believe.
Putting it into Practice
Both are easy to learn, but they do require you put in at least a day’s effort in a class taught by a certified TTouch practitioner or Reiki Master/Teacher.
TTouch – In a single day you can take a class, often with your pet, and start to immediately reap the benefits. Classes teach students the different types of body work.
Reiki – A day or perhaps a weekend-long class will set you on the path. Students are taught basic hand positions to facilitate the flow of energy.
In-house or Online
I recommend in-person training whenever feasible. The ability to get immediate feedback from an experienced practitioner is priceless. However, if online is your only option, then by all means go for it!
Then, just sit down with your furkid and practice, practice, practice. The way to maximum effectiveness though, is through repeated use. A moment here, a brush there will not bring the relief you’ll get from a mindful, focused treatment.
Commitment
That means taking the time and devoting it to you and your pet. Put office aggravations and traffic frustrations out of your mind enjoy this bonding time. You’ll find it quickly deepens your relationship with your furry BFF.
I use TTouch and Reiki. I am not a certified TTouch practitioner, I’ve only taken day classes, but those give you all you need to work on your own companion animals. However, I am a Reiki Master/Teacher, so Reiki tends to be my go-to, although I’ve noticed an enhanced effect when I combine the two; I can have my dogs snoring inside of a couple minutes.

Both though, give you the opportunity to spend some time with your pets that doesn’t require anything of them. They simply get to spend time with you, and that is something they all want.
I talk about how to build a deep, lasting bond with your dog in my book Dog Care and Training for the GENIUS. I give easy-to-follow directions that show you step-by-step how to connect with your dog so you really can be best friends for life.
Although she no longer takes on clients, Healey loves to educate people about dog care, behavior and training through her writing, sharing her expertise and observations. Her book, Dog Care and Training for the GENIUS is a comprehensive guide to wholistic dog parenting. Please give her a big welcome to Pet Radio!