PAW Volunteers Attend TTouch Workshop
to Learn New Ways to Help Adoptable Animals
Pamela Wanveer, a certified Tellington Touch practitioner based in
Silver Spring, led a special workshop in the TTouch technique for PAW
cat and dog volunteers. Some attended with live animals; others brought
stuffed animals on which to practice the techniques.
A few years ago, Pam sought an alternative to traditional, heavy-handed
ways of working with dogs. That's when she discovered Tellington Touch,
a technique developed by Linda Tellington-Jones for use in calming,
healing and training animals. Linda started applying the techniques to
horses, and since then, to other animals including dogs and cats.
Pam demonstrated techniques such as making full circles, in a conscious
manner and logical path, around the animal's body using her finger tips.
Areas included the ears, mouth and rump area, as well as other parts of
the body. We saw PAW's Simon, a shy, apprehensive but sweet hound
fostered by Diane Gordon, become calmer and more trusting as Pam applied
the TTouch techniques. She started in areas in which the dog seemed
more comfortable, then moved gently to areas the dog found more sensitive.
Pam also demonstrated the application of a light elastic body-wrap,
another technique used to increase awareness of seldom-used neural
pathways and facilitate new ways of responding.
Following the workshop, volunteer Annette Erbrecht used the TTouch
technique, applying some mouth circles on her dog Kashi when she
was barking at people outside. "After a short time she yawned and
shook herself - it was amazing," said Annette. "I think it intensifies
a sort of mutual awareness between owner and dog and improves the
owner's intuitive responses to behavior."
If you are interested in attending a future workshop, please contact
Robin at tierneydog@yahoo.com. If you'd like a private session with Pam,
or you have adopters and other pet owners who would benefit from
this excellent training and health-inducing technique, you can reach
Pam Wanveer at 301-585-5675.
For more information about the Tellington Touch and how it works, see:
http://tellingtontouch.com
Pam demonstrates on PAW foster dog Shelby while
PAW members look on
Pam wuth PAW foster dog Simon
The TTouch uses a variety of non-habitual movements and manipulations
to refocus the animal's attention, enabling the animal to respond to
stimuli in new way. This serves to break the cycle of habitual responses
such as automatically lunging at dogs who pass the yard.
One thing accomplished by the TTouches is the release of endorphins,
which is pleasing and calming to the animal. By helping animals sense
environmental stimuli differently, we can help them develop new ways
to respond to various environments and people; this affects their
overall behavior. The TTouches help facilitate this in a unique,
effective way. TTouch also gives us a new way to connect and communicate
with our animals. As you apply the techniques to your dog or cat, your
pet will guide to you to problem areas that you can then work with.
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_TTouch.html
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HealingTouch.html