Question 1

1. Get a handle on medications and supplements

Accepted Answer

Which ones are most effective, whether they need more time to work, and optimal dosages. (I have a non-invasive way 
to access this information.) I might also tell you about supplements you might not know of that you can ask an integrative vet about.

My client Bill had his dog Gus on several different herbal supplements geared to provide additional support for Gus’s healing and to counteract the effects of his vet-prescribed chemotherapy treatments. Bill was frustrated that he didn’t know which, or even if, any of them might be helping or which ones could be discontinued. Gus was able to direct me to which ones were the best for him. (In the case of prescription medication adjustments, I always remind my clients discuss this with their vet.) Bill was happy to know he was doing the right things for Gus. (Gus lived for several happy years after his cancer treatments!)

Question 2

2. Quick and non-invasive tests for allergies

Accepted Answer

Docs will often say “it appears to be some kind of allergic reaction”...and allergies and skin issues can be particularly stubborn to treat. Yet I’m able to hone in on causes — for example, food sensitivities or environmental issues. Then we can focus on dealing with the problem.
My client Jolene’s cat suddenly started avoiding the litter box, when in the past, it had never been a problem. She had also developed a rash on her “undercarriage” and began obsessively licking it, making it worse. Her vet could only recommend putting the kitty on Prozac in the hopes it would stop the licking behavior. I was able to determine that Bella was allergic to the scented oils in her litter. Sure enough, Jolene confirmed that she had, in fact, recently switched to a new brand. She went back to the old brand and the problem resolved.

My client Tanya presented a similar case with one of her cats — a sudden and dramatic bald spot appearing on Seraphina's stomach after some ferocious licking and hair-pulling; in this case, it turned out to be the brand of so-called "hyperallergenic" laundry soap she had recently been using to launder her bed linens.

Daisy, age 4; I’ve been able to help with her various seasonal and food allergies, as well as some behavioral issues caused by anxiety. I’ve been seeing an increase in pets with allergies that manifest as skin problems and persistent itching, and have had success in helping them to feel better.

Question 3

3. Understand and treat root causes behind troubling behaviors

Accepted Answer

Peeing, barking, shyness and aggression are frustrating yet extremely common. Once we know the cause behind it, we can work towards appropriate solutions.
I’ve learned over many years of helping people with their pets that there is always a reason for these behaviors — but it’s not always what you might think. For instance, what appears to be aggression in a dog or cat can actually be fear. Acting out with men and not women can be a vestige of a previous scary situation before they were rescued. More than one pet has told me “I don’t mean to be 'bad', but how else was I going to get his/her attention that something is wrong and I need to go to the doctor?!”

Question 4

4. Support for accelerated healing

Accepted Answer

I utilize safe, non-invasive and gentle energetic healing techniques that promote quicker recovery from illness.
One of my favorite success stories was the cat Noah, who was having urethral blockages from uric acid crystal formation — a very serious condition. He had already had three difficult surgeries for this within the span of a few months. His companion Heidi hired me to see what I could do to help him heal, as well as prepare him for surgery #4. He hadn’t been doing well and she wasn’t even sure he could live through another surgery on the heels of the previous ones. I used my healing techniques to open his urethral pathway, dissolve the crystals and flush them out of his body. This brave little kitty seemed to respond well as I was working with him but I didn’t know the results for sure until Heidi called me the next day (when the surgery was to have taken place) and said the vet canceled it when they arrived because the crystal had passed overnight! Her beloved Noah has been fine ever since.

Noah, age 6, recovering from his ordeal. Fortunately, we were able to help him avoid a fourth surgery!

Question 5

5. “Matchmaking” your next adoption, or assistance with re-homing"

Accepted Answer

I can help you determine a good match for your household in order to avoid any conflicts with your current pets. Your existing pets(s) guide me; they can specifically tell me what they would most like in a new friend. This leaves less up to chance or luck and eliminates the agony of having to return or re-home an animal.
Mary Jane loves having a household with multiple cat and dog rescues. She had two older cats but one had recently died, so she was worried that the remaining cat would be lonely. Her husband then brought home a rambunctious kitten that her older cat simply could not deal with. The older cat become miserable: angry, depressed and reclusive — and this had already been going on for over a month when I was called in. I worked with the older cat to find out what type of companion would be ideal for her. She actually wanted a new companion, but one that was older and much more low-key, like her. Mary Jane adored the kitten but realized he needed to be re-homed to a situation that would be better for him too. Fortunately they found him a good situation, and then chose a more suitable companion for her older cat. Mary Jane realized all of this could have been avoided if I had been called in to help ahead of time.

Stella and Scarlett — both young rescues — are now becoming fast friends at my client Sarah’s house. “Matchmaking” in advance of an adoption makes so much sense!

Question 6

6. Ease the issues, choices and decisions regarding end-of-life."

Accepted Answer

I can help you to know if your pet wants help with its transition, and also the timing of any assistance you undertake on their behalf. When a pet is nearing the end, here are typically a lot of "good days and bad days," which leave many people stressed and unsure about what to do. My information straight from the pet's perspective — plus decision-making support — lessens suffering, indecision and guilt. 
This is a common and very important part of the work I do for pet companions. Sooner or later, you’re unfortunately going to have to face their passing, and likely make some tough decisions too. (I’ve been through this myself.) It’s really important to honor the pet’s wishes, as well as help their humans through this difficult time. Some pets want help and some do not. Their humans typically agonize over timing issues too — not only what to do, but when (sometimes that can be the hardest thing for them to figure out.) Vets are all about quality of life — and I am too. But if you can hear directly from your pet about what they want, wouldn’t that be a huge relief? You’ll go forward knowing you did the exact right thing at the right time and you won’t have the additional agony and guilt of “did I do it too soon, or not soon enough, or did they even want the help?” I am there as your support both before, during and after your pet’s passing. Every single client I have worked with on these issues has expressed how happy they were to have had this outside help to complement working with their vet. And the pets exited on their own terms — in every case I’ve worked on, it’s truly been peacefully, joyfully and gratefully.

Meeko, just prior to his death at age 15. I worked with his mom for a month, helping her make some key decisions, and find peace.

Tilly, age 10. I was able to give her mom peace of mind with specific messages Tilly conveyed through me; this little character had some very pointed “teachings” for her humans!

Question 7

7. “Intuitive autopsies”

Accepted Answer

In the case of a sudden death, I’m able to determine the cause to help give you peace of mind regarding the circumstances. You’ll save money and avoid the invasiveness and trauma of a traditional autopsy. (I can even do this years after their passing if you have lingering questions.)
Sharon’s older Chow Jay had been suffering for several months with pain and immobility. He was diagnosed with arthritis and put on pain and anti-inflammatory meds. Unfortunately, Jay’s symptoms got progressively worse until he suddenly collapsed and died in an ER, with no obvious cause. Sharon is an RN and really wanted to know what more she could have done for him, and particularly what had caused his death. I did an "intuitive autopsy” and I was able to see and feel his physical condition leading up to his passing, as well as discovering the root cause. Of course this was terribly sad, but it was extremely important for Sharon’s process of accepting his death. She thanked me for “being his voice when no one else could.”

Jay, the first of my intutivie autopsies. It may seem like an odd concept, but there have been situations where it has yielded useful information for my clients. This is usually because they feel they could or should have "done more"...in the end, they find out that the death was unavoidable — truly out of their hands — and this brings them the peace and space to begin healing their grief.

Question 8

8. Heal emotional trauma

Accepted Answer

I can help treat deeper emotional issues like anxiety and PTSD that have prevented an animal from living it’s happiest life. I find out the details of their early experiences, which can explain an awful lot. Most of all, your understanding of their previous “story” — especially important with rescues — will help them thrive going forward. I have MANY examples of how I have helped severely raumatized pets heal and gone on live happy lives going forward.
“What’s my rescue’s story?” is a common subject I work on with clients. So many people who adopt rescues know very little, if anything, about their pet’s previous life. (And sometimes, what little they have been told has been inaccurate at best.) I have their pets show/tell me stories of their life before adoption, and with that full picture, it helps us know what to do with them going forward. Sometimes it explains little quirks of their personality so their owner has a better general understanding of them. But more often, the insight gained is really crucial to knowing how to deal with certain behaviors, as well as give them the happiest possible life going forward. I’ve helped a human understand the source of his sweet dog’s obsessive chewing so that he could offer her more appropriate outlets for that behavior. And I was also able to explain her much more extreme and previously uncontrollable reaction when encountering certain types of men during her outside walks. I've helped to heal quite a few Greyhounds with PTSD from their early lives at a breeder. I helped one person understand why his Malnois was absolutely terrified of doors! I help a constantly quivering, terrified dog from Mexico become happy and well-adjusted. These are just a fraction of the examples about how giving my clients this information has been enlightening, useful, and healing for the entire household. It also really helps the pet to know that they are in their forever" homes!

Lucas,a rescue originally from the streets of Mexico. His early traumas manifested in extremely high anxiety, even after being adopted into a wonderful home with loving parents. ’m happy to report that after working with me over several sessions, he’s doing very well. Look at that happy smile!

Question 9

9. Support before, during and after surgery"

Accepted Answer

I prepare your pet beforehand as to the reasons for their surgery, work with them during the procedure, & assist them afterwards, helping their body rid itself of the negative effects of anesthesia, surgical meds and inflammation. If they understand more, they do so much better during the surgery itself — and they recover faster too.

It's really important to help animals flush their systems of the after effects of surgery,; they will feel stronger and heal more rapidly. My client Megan said she couldn’t believe how quickly her little dog bounced back after having had a traumatic and difficult spay procedure that had happened a day or so before I was hired. Most pets are nervous about going to the vet in the first place (especially cats!) so it helps if they know why they are having surgery, that the experience entails them merely going to sleep for a while, that they will be well cared for, and that any discomfort will be minimized as much as possible. I work with them throughout this process, including the time they are actually “on the table”. And I always reiterate to them that their #1 job is to just rest and get better. It puts everyone’s minds at ease and really makes a difference to accelerate the healing process.

Sudden, one of my favorite cats to work with. He had dental surgery and did very well afterward with my healing treatments. Sudden is an extremely emotionally-aware kitty who really benefits from conversation and support. I've worked with him on a number of different
issues and he is now really happy and "centered."

Question 10

10. Emotional support while you are away on vacation

Accepted Answer

Clients report this helps their pets do better during the absence and it also alleviates the human’s guilt!
Karen was due to go on retreat to India for almost 3 weeks. She had reliable cat care to feed and visit her two cats but was particularly concerned because of the long duration of her absence. This was also during the winter when the weather was unrelentingly gray and dreary. She was worried about potential boredom and depression in her cats because there was so little happening outside their window to keep them entertained. I arranged with her to do a daily remote check-in with the cats. I explained to them in terms they could understand when Karen would be back, and I worked with them on their general well-being. They really brightened whenever I’d “drop in” for my daily visit with them and it was something for them to look forward to. When Karen returned, she said she just couldn’t believe the difference from when she had traveled in the past. The cats seemed in very good spirits and hadn’t acted out in anger with closet pooping and other inappropriate behavior as they had been known to do upon her other returns. Karen felt it was due to my support that goes far beyond what the drop-in cat sitter could provide and she thought it was entirely worth it to engage me in this way.

Jack, one of Karen’s two cats who got frequent check-ins from me while she was out of the country. They appreciated the daily attention, and for the first time ever, did not act out by pooping in her shoes or unpacked suitcase!

Question 11

11. Strengthen your bond

Accepted Answer

How would it impact your life to know exactly what your animal is wanting and needing? I can enable them to be “heard” by finding out what they need more of. This creates a stronger connection you’ll enjoy for the rest of your lives together.
There are a lot of pets — particularly older ones — that eventually need lifestyle adjustments due to their changing bodies. I work with a large number of clients on these issues; my client Ruth is a good example. I did a “wellness check” on her dog Reuben and supportied Ruth with an action plan for making the changes Reuben requires physically and emotionally. This includes physical ramps, a different type of care when she is out of town, consideration of new and alternative therapies for his conditions, and even a new vet more suitable to their needs. The result is that their already close bond became even stronger once Ruth gave him everything he needs to fully enjoy the time they have left together.

Shasta, age 15; her guardian needed to make some changes to help with her progressive arthritis in order to keep up her quality of life. This is very common — pets' needs change just as ours do when we age.