How, When, Where to Begin Using Holistic Care
by Deborah C. Mallu, D.V.M.
For those of you who've had little exposure
to alternative healing modalities, the new and sometimes
controversial information may be overwhelming. I have been
on the path of holistic medicine for several years and wish
to share with you ways you can gently incorporate this new
information into your lives.
Holistic Care: Body, Mind and
Spirit
Adjust your thinking to accept all
three aspects of healing. Holistic care encompasses healing
of the Body, Mind and Spirit. Your pet's physical condition
incorporates the Body aspect. The Mind aspect is assessed
through your insight along with the observation of your
pet's astuteness. The Spirit aspect of healing is brought
forth by desire and the emotional dynamics between you and
your companion animal.
Communicate with your pet
As you progress along the path of
holistic care, you will come to realize you are connected
and communicating with your companion animal. This is not
a special psychic ability. We all have this inherent ability
because we all are connected: our thoughts and actions affect
every other being. Trust yourself. Trust the information
you receive. Our companion animals are spirit beings sharing
their teaching us unconditional love and how to live in
a state of being.
Reflecting Imbalance
Explore the possibility that your
pet's disease (imbalance) has a component you need to address.
I do not feel the animals "take on our stuff."
Rather, I have learned by observation and communication
that animals will mirror or reflect areas of imbalance,
physical or emotional, that their person may need to address
in their own healing. How many times have you found your
diagnosis or medicine is the same as your pet's? I have
noticed remarkable if not miraculous breakthroughs when
these underlying connections of imbalance are recognized.
Healing Empowerment
Holistic healing requires a team
approach. Your veterinarian is just one member of the healing
team. The rest of the team includes your pet, you, family,
possibly veterinary specialists, and other natural health
therapists, all connecting with the healer within. Honor
your pet by knowing that healing does not always mean cure.
Healing may mean making a transition. Be aware and open.
A Perspective Shift
As a veterinarian we are trained
to find out what is wrong with our patients and to give
the prognosis of all that is wrong. Many of my clients come
with devastating diagnoses and prognoses. After reviewing
the history and before I examine the patient, I speak to
my client about shifting our perspective to a more positive
one, thus, allowing more possibilities. Yet, we are realistic
knowing that in some cases the patient will probably die
soon. Rather than wait in fear, why not get up each day
and look at your companion and say, "How wonderful,
we have another day together."
Create A Healing Environment
Walk around your home. Is it calming
and joyful? Is there clutter to cause stagnate energy and
emotional imbalance? Study the colors and lighting, so important
in affecting your mood and energy field. Does your pet choose
certain colors and shy away from other colors of bedding,
toys, and furniture. Your pet's healing may be enhanced
through light and color therapy healing. Remember to check
your home for safety.
Healer Thy Self
Healing demands clarity and balance.
Our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance affect
our companion animals. As you explore holistic care, do
so for yourself as well.
Dr. Deborah Mallu, is holistic veterinarian
based in Sedona, Arizona. Her practice is limited to patients
with chronic and so-called incurable diseases. This article
is based on her presentation at the 1997 American Holistic
Veterinarian Medical Association Conference.
Exam Dimensions
You may be amazed at what the physical
body can tell you, if you begin to look at it in terms of
a template for the energy field. Use the physical body as
a landscape for the energy field. A dip in the spine may
be a sign of blockage or deficiency of energy flow in this
area. Areas where the hair coat has an unusual swirl may
be a sign of imbalance.
- Check your pet's gait or movement.
- Notice symmetry and balance,
side to side and front to back.
- Feel for areas of heat or cold
or sensitivity to light or deep touch.
- Check the head and mouth, the
bony and muscular structure.
- Run your hands over the body
and about one inch off the body. In time you will notice
differences in sensation of the energy field surrounding
your pet.
© PetSage 2000
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