Pet Trend: Holistic Health Modalities for Animals

(East Hampton, CT) Roll over Rover—for your massage.

As alternative and holistic health treatments become
more mainstream, veterinarians who specialize in acupuncture and chiropractic, along with specialized practitioners of massage and energy medicine, are reaching out to an unlikely group of patients—family pets.

Like humans, dogs, horses and cats can develop
soft tissue injuries and imbalances, contract arthritis or experience physically adverse reactions to stress. These conditions can lead to painful structural and internal adaptations that limit the ability to lead a normal, active life.

That’s where a new breed of animal “therapists” steps
in—helping to reduce nervousness and stress, poor
circulation, muscle pain and inflammation, and improve
range of motion. “Canine and equine massage and acupressure are
shown to help accelerate the healing process for a number of conditions,” says Kim Jonah, owner of Well Beings of East
Hampton, CT, and canine massage instructor at the Connecticut
Center for Massage Therapy in Newington.

Jonah also is a certified practitioner of the Consegrity™ Wellness Model, an energy healing approach that works to clear accumulated
trauma from the body. Drawing on both techniques, she has delighted—and sometimes flabbergasted—pet owners with marked improvements in conditions such as lameness, allergies, digestive problems, arthritis and behavioral problems. Her work with fearful and aggressive animals—including a tremulous turkey—is cited by the volunteers of the Green Haven Animal Sanctuary in Coventry, CT.

For those fascinated by this growing movement (and with
a willing four-footed friend in tow), Jonah teaches a basics workshop for people who would like an introduction to massage for dogs. She also leads an intermediate workshop for veterinarians, vet techs and owners of canine athletes active in all types of sport including agility, field work and dog sledding.

Well Beings 41 North Main St. East Hampton, CT 06424 (860) 267-1961.
kjonah@wellbeingshome.com web site: www.wellbeingshome.com