Watching an animal struggle with anxiety, grief or fear can leave us feeling helpless. We want to explain, reassure and comfort them, but sometimes nothing seems to make a difference.
I have spoken to many pet owners who have felt like this and I have encouraged them to try emotional freedom technique, (also known as tapping and EFT).
Created for people in the 1990’s, EFT is a gentle, non-invasive technique that involves tapping on specific points linked to emotional energy while making verbal statements that focus on the emotional issue at hand.
Since being adapted for animals, EFT has helped many pets become calmer, more relaxed and better able to process emotional stress.
This in turn strengthens the bond between animal and families creating harmony and healing for all. This is one of the greatest advantages of EFT – we tap on one or more members of the family as well as the pet.
At the end of every EFT session, family members say that they feel a huge release. Disharmony in the home is felt by everyone!
Common issues that EFT supports include
- Visits to the vet or groomer
- Separation anxiety
- Grief
- Trauma
The Process
1. Understanding the Issue
The session begins with a discussion of the problem as understood by the family, followed by exploring the issue from the pet’s perspective.
2. Tapping with the family.
Following the discussion of the issue from both perspectives, I create a brief script tailored to the specific issue. I lead the tapping sequence while guiding you through the process.
3. Tapping with your pet
I write a second unique script that reflects the animal’s perspective and then repeats the tapping using the new script. You follow along on your pet. If your pet resists the physical touch, I will support you to use alternative and equally effective methods.
I have outlined the stories of three different animals who did not feel safe before I tapped on them. Their behaviours showed up in different ways, but the commonality amongst them was anxiety and stress.
Hunter, a lovely canine client became very anxious after the older dog in the family passed away. He was soon scratching so much that he was scarring his belly, leaving him with bald spots and open sores. One tapping session later and he stopped scratching and was noticeably calmer.
Another client, Rose was pleased with the difference that tapping made to Tyson:
I am so grateful and full of thanks Noelene. Tyson is doing so well after the tapping. He doesn’t stress when:
People walk past our house
When we go out
Or come home ( he used to almost jump out of his skin)
Much calmer on the lead
He used to harass me for food and bark at me when his dad went out, but not anymore.
Such a good feeling for us to know he is not stressed.
Amazing.
Hoot was a dog who would not toilet outside. Many attempts over many years had been made to get him to toilet outside without success. I did one tapping session with him and did not expect one session to make a difference, but when we met on ZOOM a week later, I was thrilled to hear that he had toileted outside. His session was preceded by a communication session which was instrumental in knowing the words to use.
Understanding why an animal is struggling is often the first step. Helping them feel safe enough to heal is the next.
