YOUR WALKING BUDDY

Why Does Your Darling Chew on Herself? Ask Her!

By Kristina Nunn

The golden retriever was, to put it politely, a mess. Her name was Darling, and she would have been pretty if she could be coaxed out of biting all the fur off her own skin. She was frantic on a leash, pulling and yanking as if she were trying to escape. Darling’s owner decided it was time to have a talk. An AnimalTalk.

An offshoot of BodyTalk, the concept of AnimalTalk* is amazingly primal. Our bodies, specifically our neuromuscular systems, have the ability to communicate. They just don’t communicate in the same way as our conscious minds. If we understand how to exchange information with our bodies, then we can find answers that may otherwise elude us.

Communicating with animals is an ability most people have, and although we use language as our crutch, we don’t really need it. Tone of voice, body posture, even simply experiencing an emotion can be detected and interpreted by our pets, and the interaction of our neuromuscular systems is the very reason why this works.

BodyTalk (or AnimalTalk) is the process of scientifically utilizing this connection. Dr. John Veltheim founded this amazing, comprehensive system, integrating Eastern and Western philosophies and looking at environmental factors that affect us. AnimalTalk acknowledges the unique bond that exists between you and your companion. A trained and certified practitioner establishes the communication with the subconscious mind/body and utilizes the protocol for establishing the priority of needs.

When I went to Darling for her AnimalTalk session, a structured series of questions were asked. “Is the fur biting a result of an adrenal issue?” No. “Is it in Darling’s environment?” Yes. “Ok, environmental. Does it have to do with the owners?” No. “Is it the house?” No. “The yard?” No. “Is it in the neighborhood?” Yes. “ A neighbor’s dog?” Yes. “A male dog?” Yes. “Are there other priorities?” Yes. “Emotional component?” Yes. “Fear?” No. “Anger?” No. “Separation anxiety?” Yes.

Darling was found to be smitten with a dog that lived nearby. They were not taken for walks at similar times, so she rarely saw him, but she passed his markings on their street every day! After the sessions, the owners of the two dogs made plans to walk their dogs together daily. The fur biting has stopped and she no longer pulls on the leash during walks. Results can vary; some dogs respond right away, while other cases can take a series of sessions.

AnimalTalk has helped animals and their people get relief from stress and physical, emotional, and behavioral issues, all through the simple process of communication, understanding and uncovering the root of an issue. It is currently practiced in 32 countries and continues to grow in popularity around the world.

As you read this article, your mind is collating these symbols into words, shaping the words into ideas, and depending on various structural rules (called grammar), you can translate these symbols into ideas in your head. This is remarkably complex, but it is how we are accustomed to exchanging information. There is a much simpler way to communicate that our sub-conscious mind has always known. To access this, we now know how to use the same energetic pathways, thanks AnimalTalk.

Darling’s behavior could have continued and escalated because she was trying to convey a message to her owner. Fortunately her owner knew to seek help and get to the underlying cause of the behavior.

*AnimalTalk is a complimentary practice to, not a replacement for, veterinary care.

Kristina Nunn is a certified BodyTalk and AnimalTalk practitioner and Co-coordinator of the Portland BodyTalk Association. Her connection with nature, animals, 20 years of work in healthcare services, and triumph over her own personal health struggles, uniquely enables her to help others to improve their well-being. For more information, call 503-621-4579 or visit www.KristinaNunn.com.