I first became aware of Cherise Jacques and her craniosacral work through a dog massage client of mine. Cherise had done a few CT sessions with this senior dog, and I was intrigued. Craniosacral Therapy is most often associated with people, but Cherise’s clientele also includes dogs and horses. Here is our interview on the benefits of Craniosacral Therapy, Somato Emotional Release, and Reiki for both people and animals.

Your Holistic Dog: What is Craniosacral Therapy and what are the benefits?

Cherise Jacques:  Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands-on release technique used to remedy distortions of structure and function within the skull, spine, and connective tissues. It improves overall wellness, hydration, circulation, and ability to flush out toxins. It aids in the release of unresolved trauma absorbed by the body and overall functional alignment. It improves resistance to disease and addresses a full spectrum of pain, illness, and dysfunction.

The benefits in animals are the same as in people. I often receive calls about animals when there are behavioural problems such as aggression, fear, or attention issues.  Sometimes the symptoms are more structural (gait problems) or there are misalignments in the skull, spine, or even mouth and jaw (receded bite).  Sudden illnesses or withdrawal from the usual routines may also be a reason people seek me out. Occasionally seizures in animals or recent falls or impact injuries are what I am called in to attend. Craniosacral therapy addresses the balancing of the entire body system so it really can be beneficial for most things, although results will vary depending of the actual source of the problem.

YHD:  How did you first become interested in Craniosacral Therapy?

CJ:  It had been recommended to me for years due to multiple concussions I’ve had over my lifetime, beginning with a skull fracture at 8 months old.  I had developed an over-sensitivity to EMF (electromagnetic frequencies), namely those emitted by cell phones. This was one of the therapies suggested to me and it made this sensitivity somewhat tolerable.

I quickly became adept at feeling the subtleties of the treatments and was receiving a lot of benefits. It reduced pain in my head from cell phone EMF almost immediately and also brought many other benefits such as a greater sense of calm, reduced hyper sensory, eliminated night grinding, greater sense of well-being, and a plethora of other benefits.

My interest in becoming a craniosacral therapist arose from my love of animals, specifically horses, and the lack of alternative health services available.  I saw many horses out of circulation due to one form of lameness or another and no real plan of action in place towards recovery. Time off seemed to be the only answer. I had been offering Reiki to horses when I would come and go from the stables and wondered what craniosacral might do to help these animals as it had given me such great relief. Working with the equine world was my first impulse towards becoming a therapist.  The training process introduced me to the human aspect of therapy, and I found I was equally passionate about working with both. I now enjoy working in both areas and am happy to be available to work with both horse and rider concurrently.

YHD:  Most people who are aware of Craniosacral Therapy associate it with a treatment for people. How can this modality be used to help animals too?

CJ:  Craniosacral therapy can be used on animals in much the same way as it is useful for humans.  Injury, illness, or behavioural issues, to name a few. I have worked with dogs who have had a history of seizures or hip problems. As well, I work with pups who may have had bad falls or dogs with behavioural issues.  I’ve also worked on dogs with bite issues where the upper palate seems to recede. We can work with the bones of the soft palate.

In horses, the primary concern tends to manifest around lameness or gait issue.  Sometimes it is a horse who has trouble changing leads, one who is injured, or sometimes a horse that spooks easily. This latter condition may have developed from the stress of a previous incident or injury. Any horse that tends to buck under saddle or does not tolerate common handling is often doing so not to be difficult but because the animal is typically in a crisis and needs helps.  This is why many of these behaviours change after we have a chance to alleviate stresses within the body system.

YHD:  Describe a few examples or case studies of some of the conditions you have treated in your dog clients.

CJ:  One incident which is rather noteworthy is a case where a dog was exhibiting almost ADHD-type behaviour. The upper palate was receding, and the membranes within the skull felt very tight upon investigation. Although it was undiagnosed, I would consider this dog to have some form of ADHD-like qualities, since I see many similar traits in my human clients. Craniosacral therapy is a wonderful way to help with this sort of challenge and, although the treatment helps, it is often necessary to have ongoing regular treatments for those who suffer with it. In this particular case, we did see the palate improve and then regress a couple of times. After several sessions, her behaviour became more focused, and she was easier to handle. Some of these issues can originate with breeding (in terms of weaknesses), but craniosacral can often bring some relief or stave off even these types of dysfunctions.

Craniosacral therapy can really aid in such a vast number of situations, but it is important to note every person or animal reacts quite differently to the work.  Some will see an immediate and lasting resolution, while others may require regular maintenance. Some may even appear to have no benefits whatsoever.  The great part about trying this type of therapy is that it can really do no harm since it is client-directed. We are simply aiding the client in unravelling his/her dysfunction on his/her own, therefore the body is really in charge, not the practitioner.

YHD:  Senior dogs experience a wide assortment of challenges brought on by age. How have you been able to address these issues?

CJ:  Certainly as the body ages many injuries have become layered within the body matrix.  Getting some of this out of the way for an elderly animal can certainly help.  The work also aids in circulatory function, which can greatly help with things such as arthritis and swelling which may come on in the animal’s senior years.  Energy work, such as Reiki/CST, can also be a wonderful tool to help alleviate pain or discomfort for an animal ready to pass on. It can also bring a sense of peace and calm for the animal in his/her final days.

YHD:  You also incorporate Somato Emotional Release (SER) into your work—a touch therapy which helps release past emotional traumas. I would imagine this would be beneficial for rescue dogs who come from traumatic beginnings.  Explain this modality further and describe your experience using this type of therapy.

CJ:  Somato Emotional Release, when used with humans, can often involve some verbal dialogue work with the client. What some may not know is that the verbal dialogue can actually take place between the practitioner and the client’s body. In this way we are often able to detect certain significant elements by using cues from the tissue as we silently ask questions. While this is part of the SER process, the real work of SER comes from the tissue. The tissue has a memory of past trauma and events, and it is still a hands-on therapy, whether or not we utilize dialogue in the process. The Somato Emotional Release process is really inseparable from craniosacral work. It is simply a deeper aspect of it.

To understand it best, I will use an example of someone running to answer the telephone and stubbing her toe.  If the phone call involved bad news,  the tissue of that stubbed toe may contain a memory of the bad news received on that day. Should this trauma to the foot be unable to release on its own, the client may experience those same feelings of disappointment experienced on the day of the injury. The memory is actually contained in the tissue.  Somatic Emotional Release is the process of releasing this tissue and actually triggering a healing and release of all aspects of the injury including the emotional context of it.  This work can be very liberating in this regard, because emotional baggage trapped inside the body like this can begin to colour the overall emotional state and sometimes behaviour of the individual.  In this way, the work can be very subtle, but clients often experience some great shifts in their life after sessions.

For animals, the Somatic Emotional Release element of the work can be wonderful for animals whose previous owner may have been abusive or for animals with questionable backgrounds and adopted at a later age.

YHD:  Animals are very receptive to energy healing. How has Reiki helped your animal clients?

CJ:  Reiki is really such a great tool to use with any animal. It can be a real comfort to them. It is also a great way to connect with your pet. I find one of the first things I do when I begin working with an animal is to connect on this level by first using Reiki healing from a distance. It allows the animal to get a sense of me too and to know it is safe.

Cherise Jacques lives in Vancouver and has a human practice in Ladner, BC at The Birch Tree, where she specializes in working with pediatrics and obstetrics, although not exclusively.  She can be reached for animal work through her website, Equiviva, and at 604-940-1981 (at The Birch Tree).

Are there times you wished you had written something down?

Your dog has a less-than-perfect poop today, and you wonder what could have caused it. You notice your dog’s hacking cough is happening more often, and you try to remember how long this has been going on. Your dog hesitates when he tries to jump on the couch or climb stairs, and you wonder if you need to adjust his joint supplement dosage.

These are just some of the cases where a dog journal can come in handy.

At the beginning of this year, my dog developed an ear infection. Piecing together what could have contributed to his yeast buildup became a challenge, as there were many changes occurring before and after the holidays.

That’s when I finally decided to start a journal for my dog.

In it, I record everything from diet choices to behavioural changes. In just one month, I have already seen the benefit of this new habit. For instance, I can alter his diet or bones based on bowel movements. Or I can make a change to address noticeable signs of body detox.

A journal helps you retrace your steps, put two and two together, so you can make adjustments along the way or consult professionals for more information.

It doesn’t have to be a complicated commitment. Just purchase a simple daily planner from an office supplies store. Depending on the planner, ensure there is adequate space for each day to record all the information you need for your dog. If you have multiple dogs, I suggest using a separate journal for each one (or it may get confusing).

I purchased a weekly Day Minder for my dog’s journal. It displays a week at a glance when opened to two pages, with ample room for each day’s recordings. If your dog has many medical issues, you may need a planner with one full page per day.

Teko checks out the specs of his journal.

Here are some of the observations you can include in your dog’s journal:

1. Diet
If you feed your dog the same thing every day, this may not be relevant. But if you feed a variety of meats and bones (in a raw diet), this can be very valuable information when your dog experiences any digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation. Don’t forget to include all the treats your dog has consumed each day. In addition, write down all portion changes when addressing a weight problem.

2. Supplements
Record the type of supplement and dosage. Some supplements are added on an “as needed” basis. Others are given daily. You might need to alter the dosage, depending on additional information you acquire or based on your dog’s needs. You might use some supplements to address a short-term problem only, like Slippery Elm Bark powder (for digestive upset), which we discussed in a previous post. If you give the same supplements daily, you don’t need to record it every single day. Just write down any new additions or eliminations.

3. Medicine
Depending on your dog’s condition, it can take time to fine-tune an effective dosage. Recording your dog’s response to each dose amount can help you find the proper one. Also, it’s crucial to keep track of any reactions. A journal is also helpful when administering homeopathic treatments, as you may need to keep track of type, amount, and dose for multiple remedies.

4. Health Care Treatments
Record veterinary and other health care providers’ suggestions, prescriptions, and treatments. If your dog receives acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, or hydrotherapy sessions, write down noticeable benefits you see, prices of treatments, and your dog’s reaction. This information can help you tailor a health care plan that suits the individual needs of your dog.

5.  Behaviour Changes
This may include: disinterest in food; changes in mood (might indicate pain); obsessive licking or chewing of paws; increased scratching.

6. Body Changes
Examples: Weight gain or loss; bowel movements; coat quality; changes in muscle mass; bad breath (teeth or gum problem); eye or nose discharge (sign of body detoxification); lumps (size changes); change in gait (limping); persistent coughs or sneezes; excessive panting.

7. Exercise
Write down anything significant that may have occurred during a walk, the length of the walk, the dogs you met up with, and where you went. You may notice your dog quickly eat something off the ground. This may be important later, depending on what it was. There may also be something interesting to observe during a play session.

8. Training
If you’re trying out some training techniques, it’s helpful to record what worked and what didn’t, so you can discuss this with your trainer or research solutions for yourself. Recording daily progress allows you to see how far your dog has come in a concrete way.

It may sound like a lot of work, but it really isn’t. You don’t have to write in the journal every single day. But if you remember to write down changes and observations that are out of normal, it can be a helpful guide when you really need to solve a problem or discuss symptoms with a health care professional.

This month, Your Holistic Dog received a Leibster Award from the 2-legged and 4-legged gang at Lessons From and For 4 Legs. When you have the time, check out Katie’s blog featuring Maizey and Magnus. In addition to training stories, Katie provides an honest account of her triumphs and challenges with her lovely Cavaliers.  Much appreciation!

Liebster means “dearest” in German, and the award is intended to help up-and-coming blogs get the attention they deserve. [I've edited the following to read:] You can do any (or none) of the following (If you want…no pressure…in fact, I don’t really care how you approach this…it’s just a blog post):

1. Copy and paste the award on our blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who gave us the award.
3. Pick five blogs and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.

As a theme, I’ve decided to feature three Canadian blogs (in no particular order). Although not all of these blogs focus on dogs, there is a dog connection with each one. I have also met each blogger, so there is a personal connection as well.

(I would have featured two Canadian Cavalier blogs, Bark’n About and Embee Cavaliers, but Lessons From and For 4 Legs just awarded them with Liebsters. Congratulations!)

And the Liebster Awards go to…

1. Michelle Sevigny – This is Michelle’s personal blog. She is the founder of Dogsafe, a company that offers first aid training (and much more) for dog guardians. I have taken this course and found the tips and tools very helpful. Michelle is forthright and speaks from the heart. Her passion for her awesome dog, Monty the Wonder-Rottweiler, shines through.

2. Fresh Food Diva – Silver is a sparkle of a girl. Her blog features a raw approach to fresh food eatin’. She also includes a few blog posts about raw food for her animal posse, Cody the border collie and Raja the cat. You might just pick up a few tips on nail polish too. And don’t forget the bentos! Cheers and Good Eats, Silver!

And last but certainly not least (drum roll please) … Even though this blog is more established, I feel it provides valuable holistic health information for animals:

3. Dr. Dobias Healing Solutions – As a holistic veterinarian (for over 20 years), Dr. Peter Dobias generously provides information to address the health concerns of animals in a natural way. From his Gentle Leash Campaign to his Healing Foundation, Peter is one of the trailblazers in our holistic community. His amazing dog, Skai, provides him with a deep spiritual inspiration for all he does.

A dearest thank-you to all.

Does this dog have a stomach ache?

When my dog was a puppy, he had the occasional stomach upset, including diarrhea and constipation. It was at that time, my vet introduced me to the herb Slippery Elm Bark. 

Slippery Elm Bark powder provides a natural, non-toxic way to address digestive issues for both you and your dog.

Slippery Elm contains musilage, which is a substance that turns into a slick gel when mixed with water. This allows it to coat, soothe, and lubricate the lining of the digestive tract. It also stimulates nerve endings in the intestinal tract to encourage mucous secretion, which protects the lining from increased acidity. In addition to mild stomach problems, Slippery Elm has been used to treat colitis, gastritis, and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, bladder,  throat, and joints can benefit from this herb. In the past, I have used slippery elm lozenges for my own sore throat and cough.

The powder can be mixed with cold water to make a paste to give to your dog before a meal, or you can add it directly to the food.  

Slippery Elm Bark powder mixed with water can be used as a poultice to treat insect bites and wounds, which would make this herb a great addition to your pet’s first aid kit.  Native Americans used to apply Slippery Elm as a salve on burns, boils, and other skin inflammations.

Carnivora provides a helpful detailed description of Slippery Elm Bark as well as an explanation of how to administer the herb to your dog.

Naturally Healthy Dogs features a Spotlight on Slippery Elm for a look at the characteristics and uses for this medicinal herb. 

What have you successfully used for your dog’s digestive problems?

So, just what is a Snood? (No, it’s not a character from a Dr. Seuss book) If you have a dog with long, floppy ears, you’ll soon realize that you need something to protect them from raw food, wet food, or bones. Really…there’s nothing like cleaning food off your dog’s ears–every time he eats! Not very sanitary…unless your dog is saving it for snacks later.

I was using a baby bib for a while. It worked fairly well for meals, but it didn’t work for bones.

Enter the snood. Problem solved. Just tuck in the ears and away he goes.

Here’s the young man modelling a little blue number. Rocking it like a granny.

"Where's my food?"

 And this is the snood in action. Well, the aftermath anyway.

And...it's gone!

 Check out more snoods at Embee Cavaliers.