Who better to write a practical resource guide about the natural healing therapies for pets than Barbara Fougere, BVSc.
Dr Fougere is a leading authority on complimentary veterinary medicine who has been in practice and treating animals for over 18 years in Australia.
Her book, The Pet Lover's Guide to Natural Healing for Cats & Dogs, is one of the most complete books on this topic that I've read.
After making the point that the purpose of her book is to provide guidance and ideas for pet owners so that they can work with their veterinarian; that there is value in both conventional and holistic approaches, Dr Fougere presents a very thorough discussion of all of the elements that come under the umbrella of holistic veterinary care.
The chapter on Bach Flower Remedies is excellent.
After placing this practice in its historical context, Dr Fougere offers guidelines for use, including how to prepare the various remedies.
Then she lists 39 Bach Flower remedies, describing each one in detail and how it is to be applied.
These are non toxic and will not harm animals.
"They work on the principle of resonance: if the animal needs the remedy, the remedy will act.
" (pg 206.
) In a boxed area in this section, Dr Fougere cautions that these flower essences by themselves will not change or fix inappropriate dog behavior.
They work best when they are integrated into a positive reward behavioral program, which I can attest to.
I have used Bach Flower remedies with almost all of my dogs over the years.
Shortly after adopting Tessa, a 20 pound, sighthound mix breed, I found myself consulting with the women who own Flower Essence services.
This company is based in California and you can find them online.
We talked about Tessa's extreme reactions to men and to just about every situation she'd be in outside of my house.
Tessa would bark ferociously while looking very unsure of herself, almost as if she was expecting to be struck.
Upon the company spokesperson's recommendation, I ordered Oregon Grape and Tiger Lily.
Following their directions, I mixed the two together and used this mixture in combination with a positive program to work with Tessa.
Upon enrolling both Tessa and I in a basic obedience class with an instructor well versed in Bach Flower remedies, she added Lavender as a calming oil for all of the dogs at the beginning of every class.
As Dr Fougere points out, the effects of Bach Flower remedies "change the emotional or mental state in a subtle way.
" (pg.
202).
Over time, I saw changes in Tessa for the better in how she handled walking into obedience class to greet a room filled with dogs to how she became more focused on me when we were out and about.
By themselves, the Bach Flower remedies would not have brought these behavioral changes about.
However, they were a part of the complete program we developed for her and she is a much happier dog for all of that.
There are another 20 chapters for you to read after you've finished this one.
What I like about this book is that you don't have to read it cover-to-cover.
If a particular topic grabs your attention, you can start there.
It's a colorful book so that you won't be intimidated by the wealth of information.
There are large chapter headings and sub-topic headings in red or blue, bullet points are separated into colorful boxed text, and there are clear photographs of animals throughout the book.
This is a book that should be on the shelf of every pet lover open to the healing abilities of complimentary veterinary care.
You'll return to it again and again as you and your pet go through life together.
Dr Fougere is a leading authority on complimentary veterinary medicine who has been in practice and treating animals for over 18 years in Australia.
Her book, The Pet Lover's Guide to Natural Healing for Cats & Dogs, is one of the most complete books on this topic that I've read.
After making the point that the purpose of her book is to provide guidance and ideas for pet owners so that they can work with their veterinarian; that there is value in both conventional and holistic approaches, Dr Fougere presents a very thorough discussion of all of the elements that come under the umbrella of holistic veterinary care.
The chapter on Bach Flower Remedies is excellent.
After placing this practice in its historical context, Dr Fougere offers guidelines for use, including how to prepare the various remedies.
Then she lists 39 Bach Flower remedies, describing each one in detail and how it is to be applied.
These are non toxic and will not harm animals.
"They work on the principle of resonance: if the animal needs the remedy, the remedy will act.
" (pg 206.
) In a boxed area in this section, Dr Fougere cautions that these flower essences by themselves will not change or fix inappropriate dog behavior.
They work best when they are integrated into a positive reward behavioral program, which I can attest to.
I have used Bach Flower remedies with almost all of my dogs over the years.
Shortly after adopting Tessa, a 20 pound, sighthound mix breed, I found myself consulting with the women who own Flower Essence services.
This company is based in California and you can find them online.
We talked about Tessa's extreme reactions to men and to just about every situation she'd be in outside of my house.
Tessa would bark ferociously while looking very unsure of herself, almost as if she was expecting to be struck.
Upon the company spokesperson's recommendation, I ordered Oregon Grape and Tiger Lily.
Following their directions, I mixed the two together and used this mixture in combination with a positive program to work with Tessa.
Upon enrolling both Tessa and I in a basic obedience class with an instructor well versed in Bach Flower remedies, she added Lavender as a calming oil for all of the dogs at the beginning of every class.
As Dr Fougere points out, the effects of Bach Flower remedies "change the emotional or mental state in a subtle way.
" (pg.
202).
Over time, I saw changes in Tessa for the better in how she handled walking into obedience class to greet a room filled with dogs to how she became more focused on me when we were out and about.
By themselves, the Bach Flower remedies would not have brought these behavioral changes about.
However, they were a part of the complete program we developed for her and she is a much happier dog for all of that.
There are another 20 chapters for you to read after you've finished this one.
What I like about this book is that you don't have to read it cover-to-cover.
If a particular topic grabs your attention, you can start there.
It's a colorful book so that you won't be intimidated by the wealth of information.
There are large chapter headings and sub-topic headings in red or blue, bullet points are separated into colorful boxed text, and there are clear photographs of animals throughout the book.
This is a book that should be on the shelf of every pet lover open to the healing abilities of complimentary veterinary care.
You'll return to it again and again as you and your pet go through life together.
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