Davina O’Brien from ‘Pet Energy Therapy’ has a natural ability when it comes to working with pets and their owners. Davina has worked primarily with cats, dogs and horses over the last few years and says the most common issues she treats are abandonment and loss issues. “What’s interesting is, when the dog has had abandonment the owner has some type of issue with this as well.” Davina says unlike humans, animals don’t hang on to emotions or analyse feelings, so she usually sees results and changes given the right conditions.

Davina offers a number of services, including a translation service to help owners understand their pets. She also teaches people about body language in animals. For example, “if a horse has its ears flat back they are upset or angry, so you want to be very aware of where you are standing in relation to their hooves and teeth,” she says.  She also teaches people basic handling issues for example, dogs and horses are pack animals and they look for an alpha or a leader. If that’s not going to be the owner then the animal will actually take on the leadership role which can create problems. She says when it comes to that defining moment animals will revert back to their culture.

There are some things animals will negotiate on but their genetic background and makeup is something they won’t negotiate on. “If you say to a horse or dog let’s be equals then the animal will walk over you because they need a leader.”

Davina says she also gives people some easy, practical strategies. For example one of her clients was a lady with a very energetic dog and it was very upset when she went to work. “There were a few things we worked on…..she hadn’t taken on the leader/alpha role so we did a bit of work on that and I also suggested that a  neighbour’s child be given some pocket money for coming over and running around with the dog, so both dog and child could burn off this energy,” she says.

“Animals want to remind us to have fun and play,” says Davina. Sometimes people say, ‘my pet is acting up’ but actually you’ve been at the computer all day and they are saying, ‘get up and have a break, have fun and run and around with me’.  We think animals are acting up but they are trying to communicate to us. They want to help us and reduce our stress and contribute to us energetically she says.

“Now that it’s spring, it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your pet. Keep things fun and varied, go to different places and do different things. And just be with your pet,” Davina says.

www.thepetenergytherapy.com