What does a Zoopharmacognosy session involve?

So in my previous blog we covered the basic science on animals self-medicating. What about the practical? 

Environmental Enrichment
As a qualified Applied Canine (& Equine) Zoopharmcognosist, it is my job to bring into the dog (or horses) environment the plant extracts that it would normally seek out in the wild to restore health. So my kit contains a comprehensive collection of dried/powdered herbs, minerals, essential oils, macerated herbs, fixed oils, clays etc. So, if you like, I supply a mini herbal pharmacy that the animals would have access should they be living still in the wild. Currently the buzz word on this concept is ‘Environmental Enrichment’.

During a session it is important that the dog is in it's comfort zone - this is particularly so if emotional issues such as anxiety, abandonment and grief are to be worked through. Also minimal distractions are a must - allowing the dog to focus.

I offer the plant extracts according to presenting symptoms: if a dog is suffering from an ear infection I will offer Sandalwood or perhaps German Chamomile whereas when a dog is suffering from separation anxiety or grief I may offer Orange Blossom floral water, Mimmosa and/or Neroli Essential Oils. I closely observe the dogs reactions which then leads me to a decision on the next plant extract. 

How does a dog know which oil will help?

Animals have a secondary olfactory organ which gives them the ability to scent far superior to our own – and in the case of dogs specifically bred for hunting actually 360 times greater. It is located above the roof of the mouth at the back and is called the Vomeronasal Organ. This organ enables them to identify specific constituents within the plants that they need to restore health – these constituents are produced by the plant as part of their own healthcare and defence system. The VNO plays it’s part by being connected to the limbic region of the brain which influences physiological, hormonal and behavioural activity. This clever process is mediated by smell and taste – the more the animal needs it the better the smell and taste. When the animal has had enough the smell is unwanted and the taste becomes bitter. In the human world this would be something similar to cravings experienced during pregnancy.

Duration of session and post-session offering
A session can take up to 2 hours and the primary caregiver of the dog must be able to continue offering the selected plant extracts (normally 3 - 5 extracts) daily for the following week or so. This is so the dog can ‘top up’ with the chosen selections until he/she no longer needs the plant medicine.
If time is at a premium the oils can be placed on a cloth near the dogs bed.

How many sessions?

People often ask - how many sessions will my dog need? Well, that is of course a tough one. It all depends upon the root cause of the illness and the complexity of the issue. Sometimes one session is sufficient as was in the case of Beans and his bare skin patches (see next post coming soon). Sometimes many are required. But another session doesn’t follow until the dog has stopped choosing the oils that were selected in the previous session.

Anyway, this blog is in danger of becoming an essay.

Thanks for hanging in there and I hope you are a little bit more enlightened as to how dogs self-medicate !

Carly