| Have you ever noticed how animals are very good at taking the time to “smell the roses”? … or the lavender, rosemary, jasmine … And invariably, it’s not just because the plants smell “nice” – more often than not, animals seek out specific plants to make themselves feel better. Have you ever noticed the effect catnip has on felines! Essential Oil Therapy is a natural solution for many health and behaviour problems. I would like to introduce you to how essential oils and other aromatics can be used as a complementary therapy for your animals' health and well-being. Essential Oil Therapy Healing through smell is one of the fundamental principles of essential oil therapy (EOT). EOT is derived from the ancient practice of using natural plant essences to promote health and well being. Pure, therapeutic quality essential oils are extracted from the leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, and roots from a wide variety of plants. EOT is a natural solution for many health and behaviour problems. It is highly beneficial for those wanting to take a natural approach to their Pets health. Plants use the essential oils they contain to protect against disease and to heal and it is these qualities that people and animals can benefit from as well Essential oils can enhance physical and emotional wellbeing. They can help reduce stress, thus increasing the animals capability to learn and this can be helpful where there have been experiences that are causing problems such as fear or aggression Animals have a natural ability to self medicate seeking out what they need to maintain health through herbs and minerals and the oils contain components that they would instinctively select for their health maintenance if they were living in their natural state in the wild. In a domestic setting however, this natural ability to seek out therapeutic plants is often restricted due to the environments and living arrangements we impose upon our pets. How are essential oils used on animals? When we use essential oils with people, massage is one of the best methods to apply an essential oil blend to the body, but obviously when confronted with a fur, hair or feather-coated animal this method would present some potentially sticky challenges The method that has been developed over the past decade in consultation with aromatherapists and veterinarians uses an animal’s ability to know what it needs to heal through the sense of smell. Essential oils may be useful to treat a wide variety of physical conditions and health problems in animals, however they are particularly helpful in treating behavioural issues such as anxiety, aggression, fear, defensive, compulsive, trauma and abuse disorders as well. Essential oil Therapy (Animal Aromatherapy) is not intended to be a replacement for qualified veterinary care, but, can be used alongside conventional treatments safely and is best used as part of a holistic health care program What does an assessment involve? Your initial consultation with a properly qualified and trained animal aromatherapist is usually conducted in the home or environment where your pet lives. The therapist will take down a detailed history of your pet taking into account its background, health issues, questions about exercise, diet and any other factors that may contribute to the current situation. A Kinesiology test is conducted with a surrogate that will help detect imbalances in the body, and used in conjunction with the Chinese 5 element theory allows me to assess which oils will help restore balance to your animal. At a follow-up consultation, you will be shown how to offer the oils to your pet. It is important to note that you need to assess your pet’s response to each oil before applying them. Never apply an oil unless the animal gives permission which will be demonstrated to you by the therapist. Kinesiology? Is defined primarily as muscle testing to determine imbalances in the body's structural, chemical, emotional or other energies and determine the priority healing needs Website is now up and running...www.good4yourpet.com.au | 
