Animal Therapies

“All creatures are deserving of a life free from fear and pain”

Maura Cummings

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years, centered on the belief that bodily functions rely on life force energy, often referred to as “chi” (or “ki” and “prana” in other traditions). This energy flows through the blood, connecting and nourishing the body’s meridian pathways, which in turn support proper bodily function. TCM views the body as a holistic system, where each part is interconnected. When in balance, or homeostasis, all components work in harmony, supporting overall health and wellbeing.

However, when an imbalance occurs—due to injury, trauma, or dis-ease—this flow of energy, or chi, can become blocked. Blockages disrupt bodily harmony, often resulting in symptoms or illness. As stated by India Times, “This life force is the energy that pervades the universe at all levels. Vibrating energies—all vibrating energies are prana. Physical energies like heat, light, gravity, magnetism, and electricity are also prana, the hidden or potential energy in all beings.”

“This life–force is the energy that pervades the universe at all levels. Vibrating energies. All vibrating energies are prana. All physical energies such as heat, light, gravity, magnetism, and electricity are also prana. It is the hidden or potential energy in all beings.”

India Times

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Blockages in chi can arise from many sources, including external factors like injury, environmental conditions (such as dampness, cold, or dryness), and internal factors such as mental stress, trauma, or emotional pain (e.g., anger, sadness, fear, or depression). To prevent these blockages from escalating into greater issues, it’s beneficial to proactively address these imbalances before symptoms intensify. If symptoms have already appeared, identifying and addressing the root cause becomes crucial for effective healing.

While identifying physical issues may seem straightforward, unraveling emotional or psychological imbalances can be challenging. This complexity deepens when working with animals, who cannot verbally express their discomfort. In 2012, scientists created the Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness, acknowledging that many animals (including some invertebrates) are conscious, sentient beings capable of experiencing sensations and emotions. The declaration states:

Trying to uncover the underlying cause, might sound doable if we look at the body on a physical level, but, what happens if we need to unravel potential emotional or psychological concerns? Is this still something that we can easily address? It might be difficult to delve into our own thoughts and feelings, to help to release potentially repressed emotions; what do we do, however, when it comes to animals?

In 2012, a prominent group of scientists created what we now know as the Cambridge Declaration of Independence. The treaty was the result of many hours of exploration and scientific research by many esteemed scientists, researchers, and those within the medical field. It signified a joint consensus, stating that many animals (including not just vertebrates, but also many invertebrates) are conscious, sentient beings. Meaning, that they have mental states that allow them to experience the effects of things happening to them. Consciousness in other words. It confirmed to the world, that animals are able to feel the effects of behaviours in either a positive or negative manner. The declaration itself states:

This understanding emphasizes the importance of addressing both physical and emotional needs in our animal companions. Physical pain is often easier to detect in animals like dogs, who tend to recoil from discomfort. Horses, however, as herd animals, instinctively hide signs of pain to avoid showing vulnerability. Unlike predators that pull away from painful stimuli, horses may mask their discomfort, making it difficult to detect without careful observation.

To uncover physical sensitivities in horses, we can examine their body language, gait, posture, and temperature. But for emotional or psychological distress, we need to consider their broader environment, such as changes in social, training, or behavioral patterns. By observing these cues, we gain insight into possible imbalances affecting the animal’s well-being. It’s also important to note how the body responds to chronic stress.

When animals or humans experience trauma, the brain and body retain a strong memory of the experience. Chronic stress or trauma can even alter cells at a molecular level, affecting cellular structure and potentially creating lasting impacts.

Interestingly, animals are often better than humans at naturally releasing emotions. Typically, after a stress-inducing event, animals return to a state of calm within 15 minutes, as their bodies are designed to do. However, chronic stress or repeated traumatic experiences may cause the body to store these memories for future reference, rather than releasing them, creating “locked” emotions within the system.

The film E-Motion explores how these “locked” emotions may physically manifest in the body. Rather than remaining purely emotional, they become matter, potentially growing or changing form. This can result in physical symptoms like pain, tension, stiffness, or even depression. Emotional distress affects not only humans but also resonates similarly within our animal companions.

To support the body in achieving homeostasis and addressing imbalances, it’s valuable to have a variety of tools at our disposal. Energy medicine and holistic healing, some of the oldest healing practices, offer gentle but effective ways to not only alleviate symptoms but to address deeper layers of physical and emotional discomfort. The techniques although gentle in their approach; have helped many to not just “heal” symptoms, but to re-address many levels of discomfort or distress.

“As a true empath, Vicky has a natural affinity with animals and nature. Through her studies, Vicky has learned how to hone her natural healing abilities to bring about very deep and powerful healings on a multi-dimensional level. She is a remarkable healer, a wonderful person and a beautiful soul.”

Marian Ryan, teacher and therapist

Despite all this, holistic therapy is not a magic pill. It will often need more than one session to be able to gain (even the slightest incline of “healing” or) understanding. (As a general rule of thumb, the deeper the issue, the more sessions it will take to be able to peel back, the layers of discord.) Although it may not offer a quick “solution”; holistic therapy and energy healing; given the chance, however, might enable the body to not just locate, but to address the root cause.

The animal therapy services offered are done so, on a personalized basis. Various energetic tools are used within the sessions; these include the techniques of Animal Reiki, Sound Healing, Crystal Therapy and Equine Touch Fascia Massage. To begin the process, an initial introduction can be provided if required. Prices for the sessions can be found on our price list page.

Site visits can be arranged in London, Surrey, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Essex to suit our equine and farm friends. However you are welcome to bring your loving pet, along to our Surrey / Heathrow based therapy room, which sits within an established garden area, which is fully enclosed. Please visit our Facebook page or contact mail@vickythompson.co.uk 

Or call T: 01784 278 859 M:07925 609717 for booking advice and additional information

There is also more information on our sister site animal-wellbeing.com and animalselfselection.co.uk, why not visit them for more details.