As the economic crisis continues to put greater strain on people both financially and emotionally, I feel that it is important for pet owners to know some of the possible effects of human stress on companion animals and ways to minimize them.
Companion animals act as an “energy transfusion” for their owner by giving them unconditional love, their undivided attention, emotional support and the total acceptance that people rarely give to each other even in the best of times. This is why statistics have shown that pet owners live longer than non pet owners. What people often don’t realize is that as their companion is giving them this life extending transfusion, they are taking on the emotional stress energy of the owner, often resulting in outward emotional and/or physical issues in the pet. It is not uncommon for pets to reflect human stress by constant scratching and/or chewing on themselves, chewing up owner’s personal items or other destructive behaviors, breaking house training routines, etc. Other symptoms include excessive shedding not seasonally related, patchy hair loss, “hot spots”, skin eruptions, excessive panting or drooling, “clingy” behaviors or separation anxiety.
If you are under any unusual stressors and notice any of these issues in your pet, I highly recommend that you take time daily to sit down with your pet in a quiet place where you can be undisturbed for even a few minutes, close your eyes and breathe deeply, allowing yourself to relax. Allow the events of your life that are stressing you to come up in your mind and watch them play out like a movie. If you feel an emotional reaction come up, express it…cry, swear, get angry, what ever…”honor” your emotions; they are yours, they were how you felt at that time about that experience, but don’t “own” them; they are not “who you are”, they are simply how you felt at the time. Watch them like a movie then let them go. Realize that that was then and this is now. If the emotion which you felt did not make you feel good, choose to find a feeling of “good” or even just “ok” and feel it. This takes practice, but it can heal your life and your body. It can also heal your pet.
Another good exercise is to visualize or feel a flow of energy coming into you, flowing through you and out to your companion; through him/her and out to you. Repeat this flow of energy several times, then reverse the flow of energy and repeat. This “energy wheel” is a complete cycle of healing love energy that exists naturally between people and companion animals. When we make this cycle a conscious act, it amplifies its healing and relaxing effects for both you and your companion.
These are just a couple of suggestions and all that I have room for in this brief offering. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call me at Naturals For Animals in St. Petersburg: 727-327-2356.
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Authored by Rev. Susan R Griffin; President and founder of Naturals For Animals, Inc. She is a graduate of Utah State University, a Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Stress Management Consultant, and a Holistic Pet Care Consultant. She is available for speaking engagements and private consultation. To contact her call:727-327-2356, or through: contact us