New starts

Ok, ok I did abandon you again, but I have just bought my own house and I had to move in as well as wait for BT to plug me in again. I do hope that is a good enough excuse!?!

We found out that Connelly the 35 year old mare at the sanctuary has goitre. This is a swelling of the thyroid glands, sometimes down to an iodine deficiency, but can also be caused by other medical conditions. I didn't see many people today and haven't spoken to the vet to find out the cause but decided to get right down to work!

The swelling is more prominent on the right side, so by using a form of muscle testing, I came up with a combination and I started working all of the head and neck points on the right side. I followed this up with the 'fountain of youth' which works all points up the back, over the head and face.

While applying the 'fountain of youth' flow Connelly had some very violent reactions on her #12 points. Shaking head from side to side, nodding, and snorting as well as having a few muscle spasms. Her #4 points brought about a few releases too, she nodded off instantly, with her rubbery bottom lip wobbling like an infant being told off! Jin Shin and the energetic releases that it provokes still astound me every time I see it!

It was only after giving her this boost that I took her pulses which read; Large intestine flow, Small intestine flow and Kidney flow.
Please do not be misled - The organ flows do not mean that there is an issue with the organ itself, it just lets me know that the meridian flow that goes through that specific organ needs attention, which is where I come in.

The fascinating thing is that all of the flows that came up on the pulses travel up through the neck area. Amazing isn't it?

I decided on the kidney flow as when I did the 'fountain of youth' there was a lot of activity in her #23's which are right above the kidneys.

She drank it up!! Bear in mind that the sanctuary horses are never restrained by me or held in a stable when I treat them, they run free in the field and decide when they want any treatment. Connelly stood with me for an hour today as she obviously needed attention. Chelsea had 5 minutes with me to relieve wind!! and Big Al just couldn't be bothered. We shared breath, had a kiss and a cuddle but when I went to lay my hands on him he shoved me with his head in a 'not now woman' way! Just you wait, he will be the first to the gate next week!!

The shetlands are still wary although I am able to apply the 'hug hold' to all except Zisca and Bandit. Bandit is such a cutie though and he is definitely interested. I just work around him and I know he can feel the calm and bliss radiating from the others, it will be but a matter of time before he is next. I don't want to bribe him with treats, I want him to come to me of his own free will and stay because he wants to. When that happens he can be spoilt with my homemade horsey nibbles!!

Not much else to report really. Business has been slow and I haven't seen my doggy clients for a couple of weeks.

Oh yeah, I had the interview with the council and was told that every thing seems fine. When they have spoken to the resident vet I can be Okayed and approved by both Torfaen and Caerphilly councils. Woo!

Have also got in touch with a very nice lady. She is an animal behaviourist in Cardiff who trains and rehomes dogs. I have invited her to coffee to pick her brains...she knows some contacts who may be able to help me down the behaviour and nutrition path as well as provide me with a bit of advertising....

Wish me well and see you next week

Hanna xxx

I am sorry for the neglect!!

I must apologise profusely for not having written anything since April!! Oh the shame!!

Well, a lot has been happening so I will split it down into easily digestible chunks.


1. I have found a therapy room!! My search ended at All Creatures Great and Small Animal Sanctuary in Llanfrechfa. They are such a wonderful group of people who have so much love and respect it brings a tear to your eye! I hold Thursday clinics for dogs here from 9am to 5pm with a prior appointment. When I don't have any clients I treat the resident animals for free and help out by scooping poop... I love every stinking minute of it!! I get home sweating and smelly but so, so happy!!

2. I have just bought a house and am in the process of moving (just thought...good cover story for my tardiness Hee, hee!).

3. Had a lot of interest in next March's Animal Acupressure Practitioner Course. We have decided to hold two. One in Wales and the other in Cornwall as Nancy has always wanted to go there! They are filling up sharpish which is great news.

4. I have a few regular clients now. This is fab as I am also getting recommendations, I am only kicking myself that I didn't take 'before and after' videos as one of my canine clients has made such wonderful progress! I am swelling with pride!

5. I am also having an interview this Thursday with Caerphilly Council's Animal Health Team. Kinda like a 'get to know Hanna' session. This is so that if the nice lady in question is happy with what I do I will be Council approved to work with animals. Yippee! PLUS - I met another nice lady from Torfaen Council who said that once approved by Caerphilly she will also approve me for Torfaen...Bigger YIPPEE!

6. I am on facebook!! Click on the badge to the left and be my fans! (please?)

I am sure that so much more has happened over the last five months but I don't want to bore you with my many anecdotes...Instead, you can read about them week to week. I promise from here on in I will write to you all on Thursdays so that you can here about my day at the sanctuary, clients and volunteering.

Tatty bye and toodle pip

Hanna xxx

My search for a therapy room

Although I provide a mobile service to my clients, I thought that it may a good idea to have a base to work from, other than my own home.

So today I went to an appointment to an animal therapy centre nearby which incorporates physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and dog grooming. They have a room that I would be able to rent.

We had a nice long conversation before taking a tour and meeting the other therapists using the facility.

All was good until I met the groomers...

I have to state now that I am sure that there are wonderful groomers out there who have every love and respect for dogs and I mean no offence or disrespect to anybody from my post...I am just speaking as I find.

I have witnessed five groomers in action on three separate occasions, and unfortunately I have to say that so far I find the whole act barbaric!

I was always under the impression that it was a lovely procedure of lather and rinse, and good brush and a trim, all the while coo-ing and fussing over the pampered pooches. In my (admittedly limited) experience of watching the groomers at work I have found this not to be the case.

The poor animals are either suspended from a harness or restrained by the neck to a metal bar (a little more like a hangmans noose than a lead to a post).

The ferocity in which these dogs are brushed made my eyes water. Today, a fine toothed comb was being pulled through the knots in the ears of a beautiful King Charles Spaniel. Yes, pulled, not 'teased.' His eyes were squinting at the obvious pain and he kept trying to pull his head away but couldn't move far because of the way he was restrained. We all know how sensitive a dogs ears are but there seemed to be no consideration for the animal whatsoever, let alone communication.

Another long haired mongrel was being 'plucked' literally of the long hairs from between the eyes. I am a woman and I inflict this pain on myself only for the purpose of vanity, I don't think that I could ever do it to an unwilling victim! Their next client was waiting in a cage nearby, huddled in the corner shivering and witnessing the torture that I am convinced he knew he was about to get.

One of the groomers told me that she had been bitten 3 times today already and it is just a part of the job! I told her that I wasn't surprised, I would bite someone for brushing my hair that way too!

I, for my part, am thankful that my two boys are short haired and have no need to attend a groomers, I don't think I would take them anyway as I believe that when you groom your pet you are enhancing the loving bond between you. It is something to be enjoyed together, I wouldn't want to share it with anyone else

And just in case you were wondering...

I decided that I didn't want to be associated with people that obviously had nowhere near the love, respect or consideration for animals that I do, so wish me luck in my search

If you want to book an appointment with me call 07507032768 or email info@k9equinetherapy.co.uk align="left">

For full details of High Touch Jin Shin Acupressure for Animals please visit http://www.animalacupressure.co.uk/ or my site: http://www.k9equinetherapy.co.uk/