EFT For the Health and Wellbeing of Our Pets

EFT (short for Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a method of lightly tapping on acupuncture points in order to balance the body energetically. By focusing on the problem (whether it's emotional, behavioral, or physical) at the same time as you tap the points, the body is able to release the built up negative energy.

Our furry companions are very susceptible to the stresses in their environment, and will often take on our negative emotions, pain, and diseases. These stresses cause blockages in your pets energy system that can lead to physical and behavioral problems.

We have all had a problem pet. You know the kind I mean. The dog that systematically chews his way through the house, or barks incessantly, the dog that hides from thunder and fireworks...I even had one that hid from plastic bags! Then there are the diggers, the play biters and fear biters, the overprotective dog that thinks the whole neighborhood is his territory, and the one that suffers from separation anxiety. Let's not forget the picky eater and dogs that mark their territory IN THE HOUSE!

Maybe your problem pet is a cat that won't use the litter box, sprays in the house, or uses your furniture as a scratching post.

Many pets end up in shelters because of these behaviors. So what are the alternatives? You could spend years training, resort to drugs, give up on your pet entirely, or try EFT. Often just one or two sessions will make all the difference in the world in your pets' behavior.

The following symptoms are all treatable with EFT:

· Allergies
· House training problems
· Lack of social skills
· Temperament problems
· Jealousy and aggression with other animals
· Attention seeking behaviors
· Fears and phobias
· Unhappiness and resentfulness
· Training Problems
· Pain, discomfort, and disease
· Lack of self esteem

There are actually many different methods of working with animals and EFT. One method is to tap directly on the animal. To do this you need some idea of where the acupressure points are as they are different than with people.

When tapping on the dog, (cat, horse, etc.) be sure to tap lightly.

There are as many differing opinions of which points to tap on, as there are points.

I like to tap on the side of the eye, top of the head, sternum, and down both sides of the spine. As you tap you make statements for the animal such as:
I am Aurora, (dog's name) and even though my itchy skin is making me miserable, I completely accept myself.

If you are a Reiki healer, a nice twist on this is to simply touch the points (instead of tapping) and breathe Reiki into each point, while saying or thinking the statement.

If your pet doesn't like being tapped on (and many don't) you can use a proxy such as a stuffed animal.

Energy healers are taught to call the essence of a person or animal into a stuffed animal to do distance healing. Using this same procedure, you can tap on the stuffed animal as if it were your pet.

If the stuffed animal method is too bizarre for you to consider, you can make yourself the proxy.

Sit next to your pet with one hand on them while you tap on yourself for them. Make your statements as if it were the animal speaking.

For example:
I am Magic (my dog) and even though I love to jump on people, I am an awesome dog.

While I have used all of the above methods, my favorite method is to call in the animal's energy to merge with mine. In this way, by focusing on their energy, I can "hear" their thoughts and feel the energy move as I tap.

I tap on Myself for them, as if I were them. I like to start a session by tapping 3 times at the karate chop spot while stating that I am tapping for (animal's name). At the end of a session, I then release their energy and tap the karate chop spot that I am now myself again.

In some circumstances I will tap on the pet in my head. To do this you first need to get a clear picture of the animal in your mind and then see yourself tapping on their points. This is a great method for people with strong visualization skills.

There are many benefits to using these methods of "distance healing".

· You can tap at any time from anywhere regardless of distance
· You can do it much more often than an animal would generally permit.
· No need to disturb an animal that is sick
· Treat aggressive, fearful, or anxious animals without touching them
· You can help wild animals
· Being able to tap for birds, fish, reptiles, etc. without touching them
· You can tap for an animal in another room or even another country
· You can tap at any time for animals that are not with you

Ok, so you have picked the method of surrogate tapping you want to use and are ready to tap for you pet.

What is the next step?

Making your first Set Up Statement.

In order to do this you must "tune in" to your pet. It is often difficult to understand your pets' behavior because your emotions and feelings get in the way. You will have to put your feelings aside and think as your pet thinks.

For the first statement, start with the obvious:

Even though I dug that big hole, I am still a great dog.
Even though I chewed up mom's shoe, I completely accept myself.
Even though I refuse to use that litter box, I am an awesome cat.

After making that statement really get into his head and figure out what is causing this behavior, pain, or ailment. Why is he digging? Why did he chew your shoe? Why won't he use the litter box?

Here are some possible statements for the shoe chewing.

Even though that leather tastes great...
Even though chewing moms shoe makes me feel close to her...
Even though I can't control this urge to chew...
Even though chewing stuff keeps me from being bored...

Aurora, my beautiful Golden Retriever developed allergies this summer. She had 2 oozy hot spots, and her skin would twitch whenever I would pet her. I did one surrogate session and then several short sessions of tapping directly on her. I am happy to report that the twitching stopped and both hot spots disappeared almost immediately!

Buddy, a 13 yr old Yorkie who had lost his hearing, was my first serious venture into surrogate EFT. My first response on being asked if I could do something to improve his hearing was "I doubt it," but after thinking about it I decided to give it a shot. Imagine his owners surprise when he met them at the door that night when they came home, something he hadn't done in a long time because he didn't hear them! Since then I have been keeping tabs on Buddy and am happy to say that he hears just fine!

Cozzy is a Norwegian Elkhound who is terrified of thunderstorms, especially the lightning. The poor guy would spend most of the spring months hiding under the bed! After 2 EFT sessions his mom reported that he was calmly eating his food during a storm!

Anubis is a beautiful Standard Poodle with severe separation anxiety. While his owner was at work he would lose all control of his bodily functions, and chew and shred everything in sight. He destroyed more than 1 kennel and severely injured himself in the process, and he did all of this while on anxiety drugs! During my first session with him I tuned into a wide array of emotions including anger and resentment. This is what his owner had to say about the EFT treatments.
Anubis since the two treatments:
"He is doing much better. He seems happier and freer than I have seen him in years. He is more playful and seeks me out for affirmations rather than continual affection and support. I believe that this course of treatment has made all the difference in the world for him. He is learning to live in his skin. His narcissism seems to be diminishing and he appears to be more at peace.
THANK YOU!"