Zoopharmacognosy
also known as botanical self-healing
Are you missing out on vital information from your dog?
Would you like to have a deeper interaction with your dog?
- One in which they are an equal partner.
- One that gives your dog autonomy to make their own decisions based on their physical and emotional needs.
- Give them chance to choose rather than assuming that you know best what is needed to support their wellbeing.
Botanical self-selection opens the doorway to that new form of communication. One in which your dog feels listened to and can choose which needs are met first. One in which the dogs most vital organ – their nose – can join in the conversation.
The nose knows!
So, what is the scientific reasoning for this?
The practice of animals being able to use their innate ability to recognise which plants and minerals will support their healing has been well documented.
This might sound strange but consider what animals in the wild do when they get sick or need physiological support. They don’t take themselves off to the vet. They will seek out the plant or mineral which will bring their body and mind back into balance, or homeostatsis.
zoo – animal
pharmaco – medicine
gnosy – to know
For example:
- Elephants travel hundreds of miles to visit a source of clay which has supported them for generations;
- Parrots seek out kaolin from river banks to absorb the toxicity of some seeds or leaves in their diet;
- Chimpanzees will deliberately eat the toxic parts of plants when they suffer from an infestation of worms.
Our dogs have the same abilities except that they unable roam free and find the botanical resources they might need.
We have all seen our dogs eating grass, and it’s not just any old grass, they are quite specific in what they want.
This is where botanical self-healing comes in.
How does zoopharmacognosy or botanical self-selection work?
Changes in the animal’s health sends signals to the olfactory and gustatory systems (smell and taste) to make substances which help to restore homeostasis become more appealing to them. They are attracted to specific chemical compounds within the plants.
When they have received as much as they need and homeostasis has been restored, the olfactory and gustatory sensors for that compound will switch off and the substance will no longer present as desirable and may even taste bitter.
It’s not just animals, humans also have this ability. It has been recorded that some pregnant women have a craving to eat coal and that desire disappears when they no longer need the additional minerals, supplied by the coal, to support them in their pregnancy.
When I talk about medicine in relation to the pharmaco part of zoopharmacognosy, it is to describe that which maintains well being as opposed to the modern, western meaning of medicine as being something which cures an illness.
The original, Native American, meaning of the word medicine is something which helps maintain health and wellbeing. This can be a simple as taking a walk in the woods or more specific, like taking a substance into the body to help regain homeostatic balance.
What to expect in your zoopharmacognosy session
As an accredited zoopharmacognosy practitioner I can offer your pet a wide range of herbs, minerals, essential oils and botanical waters – known as hydrosols. Each of these substances contain the chemical essence of the plant.
Your dog cannot go and forage for these herbs and plant essences as an animal in the wild can. Therefore by giving your dog access to these they can decide if there are chemical signatures that their body feels it needs and would benefit from.
By reading the subtle signs your dog makes I can tell if these are substances that your dog wants to work with. They may then want consume them, sniff them, want them applied to a part of their body or to get away from them.
The sessions are very slow and gentle, always moving at your dog’s pace. Giving them time to choose or move away from a substance.
During this time the guardian will be learning too. They will learn how of offer, what signals to look out for and when they have had enough.
What sort of stuff can it help with?
- digestive system, nausea
- gut problems, diarrhoea
- fevers
- emotional upset
- sound sensitivity
- inflamation
- arthritic pain
- hormonal imbalance
- allergies, skin issues
- grief, sadness
- confidence, lack of trust
This list is not exhaustive, it is an example. Get in touch if you are unsure about your dog.
I’d like to explore this with my dog, what happens now?
Step 1
You can download the Pre-consultation questionnaire here.
It is quite detailed to ensure that you, your family and your pet are safe.
This is not a prescriptive therapy, your dog is freely selecting what they want, therefore there is no requirement for vet consent but it is always good practice to let your vet know that you are exploring these supportive options. I will never force anything on your pet. This is a complementary therapy and not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Step 2
Contact Catriona and see when and where it would be suitable to begin this journey.
Call Catriona on +44 7715 818194
or you can email her at catriona@k9massageclinic.co.uk
Step 3
The cost is £65 for up to an 1 and a half hour session. More time will be available if necessary.
I will give you some samples of what your dog has selected to take away with you and instructions on how to continue helping your dog work with them.
We can then consider follow up sessions as required.
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