Aromatherapy for Your Pet’s Health and Happiness

Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting your pet’s immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and repelling insects.

Aromatherapy is used by enthusiasts, groomers and pet salons to treat mild ailments such as skin inflammations, itchy skin ear infections, rashes, bad breath, flatulence and motions sickness. Psychologically, certain oils also have a calming or relaxing effect on animals. For example lavender oil not only helps kitties repel insects but it also makes them feel sleepy or content. Roman chamomile can be used to treat an ear infection as well as soothe the nerves of a dog in pain.

Essential oils are also frequently used as home remedies. However before you attempt to use aromatherapy on your own pets, keep in mind that essential oils are always diluted before they are applied to a pet’s skin or sprayed on their coat. Almond oil, olive oil and jojoba oil are common base oils to which a few drops of the essential oil is added. Usually all that is needed is about one ounce of the base oil combined with two to three drops of the essential oil.

Essential oils can also be diluted in a spray bottle and misted onto the pet or the pet’s bedding. You can simply dilute a few drops in distilled water or you can use water and a mixture of aloe, witch hazel or cider vinegar. The traditional recommendation is to use 20 to 30 drops of oil per eight ounces of liquid. Any less might not be effective and any more might be toxic to the pet.

Oils can also be diluted in vodka or brandy and dabbed on the bottom of the pet’s paws or on an acupressure point such as the tips of the ears. This is the technique to use if you are dealing with a panicky pet. Never feed your pet alcohol or essential oil directly.

Essential oils are also effective flea and tick repellents and are nearly as effective as sprays and powders that contain a lot of toxic chemicals. Oils such as peppermint, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, geranium, bay and myrrh have been components of herbal flea sprays and flea collars for many years. You can easily make your own flea and tick spray by combining about 25 drops of any of these oils into eight ounces of water. Shake the mixture well and spray it on your pet, being careful to shield its eyes from mist. This mixture can also be sprayed anywhere that you suspect there may be a breeding bug infestation.

When using essential oils it is also essential for you to remember that a dog or cat’s sense of smell is much more acute than our own. Signs that an aromatherapy treatment is too overwhelming for your pet are tearing eyes, sneezing, pacing or whining. Cats may lick themselves excessively and dogs may rub their head on the ground in order to escape the smell. Many pets also have allergies to essential oils. For instance, chamomile is related to the ragweed plant, which is a common allergen for both pets and humans. This is why it is so important to use a mild solution at first and use your powers of observation the first few times you use an essential oil mixture on a pet.

 Special thanks to Geet Singh for her contribution to this article.

HO’OPONOPONO – A Hawaiian Healing Practice

I came across this article written by Dr. Joe Vitale, and it is so amazing I wanted to share it.  You can use this practice to heal yourself, and thus possibly heal your animal friends.

“Two years ago, I heard about a therapist in Hawaii who cured a complete ward of criminally insane patients–without ever seeing any of them. The psychologist would study an inmate’s chart and then look within himself to see how he created that person’s illness. As he improved himself, the patient improved.

“When I first heard this story, I thought it was an urban legend. How could anyone heal anyone else by healing himself? How could even the best self-improvement master cure the criminally insane? It didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t logical, so I dismissed the story.

“However, I heard it again a year later. I heard that the therapist had used a Hawaiian healing process called ho ‘oponopono. I had never heard of it, yet I couldn’t let it leave my mind. If the story was at all true, I had to know more. I had always understood “total responsibility” to mean that I am responsible for what I think and do. Beyond that, it’s out of my hands. I think that most people think of total responsibility that way. We’re responsible for what we do, not what anyone else does–but that’s wrong.

“The Hawaiian therapist who healed those mentally ill people would teach me an advanced new perspective about total responsibility. His name is Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len. We probably spent an hour talking on our first phone call. I asked him to tell me the complete story of his work as a therapist.

He explained that he worked at Hawaii State Hospital for four years.

That ward where they kept the criminally insane was dangerous.

Psychologists quit on a monthly basis. The staff called in sick a lot or simply quit. People would walk through that ward with their backs against the wall, afraid of being attacked by patients. It was not a pleasant place to live, work, or visit.

“Dr. Len told me that he never saw patients. He agreed to have an office and to review their files. While he looked at those files, he would work on himself. As he worked on himself, patients began to heal.

“‘After a few months, patients that had to be shackled were being allowed to walk freely,’ he told me. ‘Others who had to be heavily medicated were getting off their medications. And those who had no chance of ever being released were being freed.’ I was in awe. ‘Not only that,’ he went on, ‘but the staff began to enjoy coming to work.

Absenteeism and turnover disappeared. We ended up with more staff than we needed because patients were being released, and all the staff was showing up to work. Today, that ward is closed.’

“This is where I had to ask the million dollar question: ‘What were you doing within yourself that caused those people to change?’

“‘I was simply healing the part of me that created them,’ he said. I didn’t understand. Dr. Len explained that total responsibility for your life means that everything in your life- simply because it is in your life–is your responsibility. In a literal sense the entire world is your creation.

“Whew. This is tough to swallow. Being responsible for what I say or do is one thing. Being responsible for what everyone in my life says or does is quite another. Yet, the truth is this: if you take complete responsibility for your life, then everything you see, hear, taste, touch, or in any way experience is your responsibility because it is in your life. This means that terrorist activity, the president, the economy or anything you experience and don’t like–is up for you to heal. They don’t exist, in a manner of speaking, except as projections from inside you. The problem isn’t with them, it’s with you, and to change them, you have to change you.

“I know this is tough to grasp, let alone accept or actually live. Blame is far easier than total responsibility, but as I spoke with Dr. Len, I began to realize that healing for him and in ho ‘oponopono means loving yourself.

“If you want to improve your life, you have to heal your life. If you want to cure anyone, even a mentally ill criminal you do it by healing you.

“I asked Dr. Len how he went about healing himself. What was he doing, exactly, when he looked at those patients’ files?

“‘I just kept saying, ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I love you’ over and over again,’he explained.

“That’s it?

“That’s it.

“Turns out that loving yourself is the greatest way to improve yourself, and as you improve yourself, you improve your world.

“Let me give you a quick example of how this works: one day, someone sent me an email that upset me. In the past I would have handled it by working on my emotional hot buttons or by trying to reason with the person who sent the nasty message.

“This time, I decided to try Dr. Len’s method. I kept silently saying, ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I love you,’ I didn’t say it to anyone in particular. I was simply evoking the spirit of love to heal within me what was creating the outer circumstance.

“Within an hour I got an e-mail from the same person. He apologized for his previous message. Keep in mind that I didn’t take any outward action to get that apology. I didn’t even write him back. Yet, by saying ‘I love you,’ I somehow healed within me what was creating him.

“I later attended a ho ‘oponopono workshop run by Dr. Len. He’s now 70 years old, considered a grandfatherly shaman, and is somewhat reclusive.

He praised my book, The Attractor Factor. He told me that as I improve myself, my book’s vibration will raise, and everyone will feel it when they read it. In short, as I improve, my readers will improve.

“‘What about the books that are already sold and out there?’ I asked.

“‘They aren’t out there,’ he explained, once again blowing my mind with his mystic wisdom. ‘They are still in you.’ In short, there is no out there. It would take a whole book to explain this advanced technique with the depth it deserves.

“Suffice It to say that whenever you want to improve anything in your life, there’s only one place to look: inside you. When you look, do it with love.”

For more information on Ho’oponopono please visit http://hooponopono.org

Top 7 Signs that Your Pet Should be on Supplements

I have to thank Dr. Andrew Jones for coming out with a great deal of highly relevant information lately!  We certainly are getting the benefit of his expertise right now!

7 Signs that your pet should be on supplements:

1. Limping, lameness, stiff movements, especially after rising from getting up. The most common cause of these signs is from Arthritis, seen in middle age and older pets. Supplementing with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Essential Fatty Acids can reduce pain and inflammation.

2. Chronic itching and scratching. When your pet has these signs, they likely have an Allergy. Supplementing with Essential Fatty Acids, and Key Antioxidants can decrease the inflammatory response in the skin- meaning LESS itching and scratching.

3. Recurrent bouts of Diarrhea or Vomiting- in this case your pet may be having difficulty digesting certain ingredients, or suffering from some type of disease in which the intestinal tract gets easily inflamed. Either way beneficial bacteria called Probiotics are often helpful, decreasing the severity and frequency of GI upset.

4. Chronic and ongoing Ear Infections. The most common underlying cause of ear infections is Allergies. A supplement that decreases the allergic signs can lessen the chance of ear infections- Essential Fatty Acids, Antioxidants and Probiotics can help in this case.

5. Withdrawn and Sleeping longer- this can be seen in older pets which may have joint pain and discomfort of arthritis. Old age does NOT mean inactivity and less interaction. An effective Arthritis supplement can make your pet feel better, and be LESS withdrawn.

6. Constant Paw chewing, excessive hair loss, and ‘Foul’ Odor. The smelling pet is a BIG sign that your pet has an underlying health disorder, and can benefit from a Supplement. This could be a food allergy, inhalant allergy, and secondary skin infections with yeast or bacteria. Supplementing with Essential Fatty Acids, Probiotics, and Antioxidants can decrease the smell.

7. TOO many trips to your Vet. If you have a pet that seems to repeatedly be getting ill, then you should look at what you are feeding them, and do what you can to PREVENT diseases from happening in the first place. Supplementing with nutrients that may improve your pets immune response to disease, such as Colustum, Maiitake and selected Vitamins and Minerals.

For more tips on how to care for your dogs at home check out Dr. Jones home study course – Veterinarian’s Secrets Home Study Course.

Hambone Awards – Examples of Why Pet Insurance Is a Good Idea!

Jean Pierre — November 2008

Val Heart recomends pet insurance!

Initially, veterinarians thought the lump on French bulldog Jean Pierre’s side was a bee sting or, worse, a cancerous growth.

But as the lump got bigger over several months, owner Denise Uphus agreed to surgery that showed the lump was the result of a corndog stick.

The stick had gone through Jean Pierre’s stomach lining and was putting pressure on his body cavity.

Uphus was baffled until she recalled that her daughter had fed Jean Pierre part of her corndog one day and that Jean Pierre may have chewed up some of the stick.

“You really can’t turn your back on them,” Uphus told VPI. “Kids or pets.”

Lulu — December 2008

After noticing several of her daughters pacifiers had gone missing, Jennifer Zwart found that her English bulldog Lulu had a private stash — in her stomach.

Zwart told VPI she noticed Lulu liked eating pacifiers after catching her eat one when it fell to the floor. Concerned, she took Lulu to the veterinarian where 15 pacifiers, a bottle cap and a piece of a basketball were removed from Lulu’s stomach.

Save thousands on pet care, get pet insurance today.

“We were all shocked, especially since Lulu never had any symptoms and I had no idea all of those pacifiers had gone missing,” Zwart said to VPI.

Lulu may have binged on her rubbery treats, but her behavior is common for dogs.

“This is really a typical thing dogs do,” Gross said. “With something you like, you eat as many of those as you can find around the house.”

Just for reasons such as these I have pet insurance through   www.quickcarepetinsurance.com..  My mom has health insurance, why wouldn’t I?

For a list of all of the Hambone nominees please visit http://www.vpihamboneaward.com/

A Personal Introduction

Val Heart, animal communicator, has helped over 6200 animals with health and behavior issues.

Please allow me to introduce myself:

I am internationally recognized as an expert animal communicator, master healer and author with over 30 years experience working with more than 6,200 animals to-date.

I fell in love with horses when I was five years old and began my long term relationship getting to know and understand horses. My work with horses led me to an intensive study in developing my gifts with animal communication and other supporting healing techniques.

I am highly trained in advanced, state-of-the-art alternative healing and life-changing coaching modalities, I help horses and their people rebalance in body, mind & spirit. Early on, I discovered that much of what goes wrong with animals is a reflection of, or a reaction to, their caretaker’s imbalances. I help not only with animals, but also life issues.  I take clients deeper into their own personal best – a space of well-being, peace, balance, clarity and greater consciousness awareness.

I am also one of only a few worldwide who have learned The Fernandez BodyMind Assessment™ Method, and am also a top practitioner in The BodyTalk™ System, certified at the PaRama level.  Multi-dimensional and all-encompassing, these are truly holistic, remarkably powerful healing and coaching modalities for humans and animals alike.

The books that I have authored to-date include; 12 Mistakes People Make With Their Horses, The Essential Handbook for Novice & Amateur Riders, What Your Horse is Trying To Tell You, The 12 Most Common Mistakes People Make With Their Dogs: Why you have an unhappy dog and what you can do about it, What Your Dog is Trying To Tell You, and 10 Deadly Myths Endangering Your Dog’s Life.

If you would like to know more about my background, read some of my success stories, or learn more about animal communication or health/animal care tips, then I invite you to visit my website at www.valheart.com.

Val

Are Animals Natural Healers? – A Cat’s Purr-fect Healing Frequency

Val Heart is an animal communicator who works with health and behavior issues with animals.

Many animals are healers.  For instance, science has shown that all cats from all around the world purr at the same frequency.  Further, they’ve discovered that that exact frequency when applied to bone and tissue accelerates healing!

As you allow yourself to see and respect animals as intelligent, responsive beings with spiritual qualities that we can admire and learn from, you’ll begin to know them at a much deeper level.  And they’ll respond to you like you’re more intelligent as well.  (I can’t tell you how often I hear from our animal friends how dense they think their humans are, and how hard it is for them to communicate with us!)

Some years ago my husband and I had two cats that shared our home with us.  When my husband laid down, whether for a nap or at night, one specific cat, TuffyTiger, would go directly to his chest and liver areas and start to vigorously purr and knead his body.  She would eventually settle and rest with him, all the while purring loudly.  We thought it was the cutest thing.  This went on for well over a year. Each time he laid down there TuffyTiger would be, always purring.

My husband wasn’t feeling any pain or showing any signs of illness, so we just thought she was being very loving toward him.  He got to where he sought her out because he always felt so peaceful and relaxed, and said he could sleep better with her there.  He also said he noticed that he would wake up from their time together feeling more refreshed.

After almost 18 years of marriage, my husband and I divorced.  Shortly afterward he noticed pain in his chest and stomach, and only then did they discover that he had liver cancer.  Within 10 months he passed away from cancer.

We didn’t know it at the time, but my husband had cancer throughout his body.  TuffyTiger had been healing and working with him for over 10 years, and had successfully been keeping cancer at bay with her purring and earnest, loving ministrations.

The next time a cat gifts you with their purr let yourself feel how deep into your own body the vibration goes.  Also notice where it is directed.  Often a cat will specifically choose where it sits with their human friend(s) – and the site is usually a problem area.  It could be a knee, organ or injured area that your friend is attempting to help you with.

I’ve even seen cats who literally configure their bodies to flow the energy in a specific pattern, channeling degenerative and destructive energy lodged in ‘hot’ areas into shut down, ‘cold’ areas that need it.

Take a moment to thank them, offering gratitude for their ministering to you. Breathe with the purr, and allow yourself to vibrate as deeply as possible.

For all you know, they are healing you in the same way that shamans and healers have for centuries!

If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love my expert animal communication eTips.  Subscribe today!

Val Heart, Expert Animal Communicator, Behaviorist, Author, Master Healer. Working with chronic pain, illness, trauma, training, behavior, performance, euthanasia, specializing in dogs and sport horses. Animal TeleClasses, Free Expert Animal Communication eTips & Free eNewsletter. (210) 863-7928, http://www.valheart.com. Free Report: 10 Things You Must Know Before Hiring An Animal Communicator http://www.valheart.com/animalcommunication/freereport.html

© Copyright, Val Heart & Friends LLC.

Blog Taking a Trip

Just a quick post to let you know that in the next few weeks this blog will be packing its bags and taking a short trip to a new home. In order to make sure all the content and comments make the journey safely, the commenting feature on this blog will be temporarily disabled.

We are working diligently to make the move and the unveiling of a new look & feel as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I appreciate you as a reader and look forward to your comments just as soon as we’re moved and settled in.