Animals have always been part of my life. As a child, I spent a lot of time observing insects, making nice homes for snails, keeping tadpoles until they turned into frogs, stopping to pat cows in the fields when out for a cycle, or rescuing baby birds fallen from the nest. More recently whilst living in France I stopped to pick up an injured buzzard on the road, and found myself driving to a bird sanctuary with this majestic bird of prey sitting on my lap, its sharp yellow eyes looking straight at me the whole way! I have shared my home with cats, a dog, rabbits, hamsters, cats, birds, a tortoise, rats and fish – and did I mention cats? Horses are also a big love of mine. I am not lucky enough to have one in my life now, but as a teenager I spent all my spare time at the local riding stables, mucking out, feeding, brushing, riding… whatever the weather!

After many years dedicated to bringing up my two children and several jobs (business administration, teaching French in secondary schools, running holiday accommodation or working for an estate agency), it was time to bring together work and my love of animals. This had to be in a holistic way. Animals are sentient beings, all have their own character and are entitled to being listened to, their fears, pains, needs acknowledged and acted upon. Looking at animals’ typical behaviour as part of a species wasn’t enough. I wanted to take into account their own personalities and life experiences, and treat them as individuals, just like you would a person. As I researched various approaches which would fit in with my ethos, I came across the Trust Technique^®, and it made so much sense that I signed up straight away to attend a workshop, and then went on to do the Ofqual Accredited Level 3 Practitioner course. Working with this method allows me to provide people with a tool they can use on a daily basis, to deepen the relationship they have with theirs animals and help them deal with physical, emotional or behavioural issues.

Through Trust Technique^®  consultations, I discovered the Emmett Technique, and before long I was enrolled on a dog practitioner course to learn this amazing, gentle muscle and soft tissue release therapy. My ‘plan’ was to move straight onto horses once the dog qualification was complete, but that path took a detour following my son’s major spinal surgery. I realised that the Emmett Technique was a great way to help release his tight muscles, realign his body and improve his posture; so I trained to become an Emmett practitioner for humans, to support him and many other people. I now intend to continue with the horse qualification.

I have volunteered at Many Tears Animal Rescue, a centre based in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. I helped animals find a peaceful moment, and introduced some members of staff to the Trust Technique^® , as they are the ones who can support the animals on a daily basis, in view of a smooth rehabilitation. Find out more by visiting their website: https://www.manytearsrescue.org/

If you run an animal centre in my local area and would like to know more about the Trust Technique^®, the Emmett Technique and how I can help, please do get in touch.