I’m Still Here

Rosey, posing for the camera… this is her good side! Photo: Sandi Martinez

by Sandi Martinez

 

I know things have come and gone

and I will be no exception

But look in my eyes, and remember

I’m still here

 

When you doubt where I’ll be in a few years,

don’t fret, tomorrow hasn’t happened,

and today, you hold me near

and when you get sad, touch me, I’m still here

 

I feel the fresh breeze gently brush my coat

and I love that I know it’s real, happening now

I love the feel of your soft skin and I feel your love

and when I worry you’re not here,

I hear your car drive up,

and I know, you’re still here

 

Remember this: We have each other but for a short time,

this is true, but know the only thing that really matters, is

here and now and the reality, that we’re both still here

cherish me now, feel the warmth of my fur, and burrow your face deep

into me

 

Because

I’m

Still

Here

 

RMSAAM wishes you all a safe, and great Memorial Day weekend!

RMSAAM Welcomes New Staff Members!

“There is definitely something to be said about living and working away from the hustle and bustle, of city life!”

Contributed by Hayley Pierce, and Theresa Gagnon.

City Girl, to Country Girl… Greetings!  My name is Hayley Pierce, and I have recently joined the team at RMSAAM as Receptionist and Administrative Assistant, which without a doubt, is a wonderful opportunity I have encountered! My professional background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, which gives me the skills to be a great asset to the team.  I am looking forward to contributing to the RMSAAM blog!

A Student recently commented to me earlier this week, how lucky I am to have a job working out in the countryside!  Originally from a busy town in Hampshire, England, I moved to the states nearly eight years ago, and settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  My husband had another great opportunity with his profession that prompted a move to Colorado, so here we are!

My friends and family back in England would not believe the transition, but there is definitely something to be said about living and working away from the hustle, and bustle, of city life!  My husband and four children, Hanna; 20, Jamie; 19, Tamara; 11, and last but not least, Yazmin; 9, moved to Colorado a year ago.  In that time, we have acquired a horse, a cat, and most recently rescued two lovely Belgian Malinois: Logan, and Levi.  Needless to say, I am in the right place if the instructors need extra, not to mention very willing, volunteers for massages during the hands-on portion of the class!

 

Theresa decided it was time to do what she loved best; go back out into the field and work directly with animals.

Theresa Gagnon has been involved with animals her whole life. Dogs, cats, and horses, have always been part of her life. After holding a “real job” in computer management and programming for many years, she was drawn back to working with animals. She started working as a veterinary assistant, and then went on to obtain her Certification in Veterinary Technology and began teaching at the college level in the Becker College Veterinary Technology program in Massachusetts. When one of her horses had an odd front end lameness that veterinarians and farriers were unable to fix, she turned to massage. One short massage session to the shoulder, completely took care of the problem.

Theresa then turned to Jack Meagher and took his workshops. Drawing on her passion for anatomy, and Jack’s books, and workshops, she continued to work on her own horses. In 2003, she was asked to collaborate with the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy to create a curriculum for a Canine Massage Program. Once this was established, the Equine Massage Program was then created.

Theresa also enrolled in Bancroft’s human massage program and became a licensed human massage therapist. She continued to take classes in many modalities to hone her bodywork skills, and used her animal anatomy knowledge to bring those new skills to the animal world.

While at Bancroft, Theresa met Amy Snow, and Nancy Zidonis, of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, and was asked to be part of a group that eventually became The National Board of Certification Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM). After several years of working Bancroft and being on the board, Theresa decided it was time to do what she loved best; go back out into the field and work directly with animals. She partnered with a former student, Jodi Clark, and they formed Mending Fences Animal Wellness, LLC.  Theresa’s move to Colorado last year, worked out well for both RMSAAM, and Theresa! RMSAAM is proud to have her teaching their programs!

RMSAAM welcomes you Theresa, and Hayley, as part of the team! We’re happy to have you both on board!

 

A Study in Case Studies

“At the beginning, I didn’t realize how good it would feel to help these older dogs improve.” -Stacey Iverson (and her dog Scruff), RMSAAM graduate.

 

Canine Massage Level 1 student, Stacey Iverson (visit Stacey’s website by clicking here), describes her experience during her case studies below; 3 case studies are required during the Canine Massage Level 1 program, and are to be completed over a six-week period. Jenny Rukavina is a RMSAAM instructor.

 

December 12, 2012

 

Dear Jenny,

Enclosed are my Case Studies for Canine Massage 1.  While working with the dogs, I learned more than I expected, and am not quite sure how to put it all into words, but I know you understand that.  Although I learned a lot in my studies and class, dogs are the best teachers.  My case study dogs were all seniors, so they showed me how to massage with patience and an open mind, and to listen carefully to their signs and signals.  I couldn’t have asked for better teachers.  All were generous and patient with me, as were their people.

I found myself carefully finding my way through conversations with their people, discovering that I actually did know what I was talking about (confidence boost) and also learning when to just listen and also say “I don’t know” or “you might want to talk with your vet”.   It was also interesting to see how quickly all three dogs figured out who I was and why I was there, greeting me so happily after just 2 or 3 visits, not as a regular visitor but as that nice lady who massages me!  They knew why I was there. At the beginning, I didn’t realize how good it would feel to help these older dogs improve.  It was so rewarding to see them happy, move more easily, and also see their people so happy.  One thing I noticed with their people was a more intense awareness of their senior dog’s situation.  I think both people were somewhat in denial or unaware of how their dogs had aged.  By talking about it and showing improvement with massage, they became more involved in finding ways to help their dogs to be more comfortable, even simple things like putting rugs around the house and beds by the fire.

A few things that I will change for next time:

1.  A new note-taking system during massage.  I will make up my own dog diagram and massage note sheet, now that I have done this once and know what works for me.

2.  A key to mark different things like tension, knot in muscle, a reaction to touch.

3.  I’m considering buying a table.

4.  Have muscle diagrams in plastic sheets with me for easy referral if needed.

Overall, this was a great experience.  I have learned a lot in a short time, but I know this is just the beginning and there is so much more to learn, both in class and through real-life experience.  I feel much more confident in my abilities, and am so inspired by the people and animals that I meet.  I learn something from animals every day, and this experience was one more example.  Helping animals is what drives me, and I have learned through this experience that I am not a healer, but can assist dogs to become healthier and more balanced, so that they can live better lives.

I am committed to learning as much as I can.  It’s important to me to maintain very high standards for all the dogs that I work with and for the profession in general. When I am ready to start my business, hopefully early 2013, I want to feel fully competent and worthy of calling myself a professional.  Thanks for your help and feedback so far.

All the best,

Stacey Iverson

Why me?

“Because everything around us, including humans and our animal counterparts are bundles of energy, we forget that our physical boundaries are just that, physical.”

Connections; humans and animals alike seem to be bound by an invisible link –a lifeline – that ties us together like a silk rope, or cord; there are many words to describe this link. The one link that is the most fascinating is the unspoken one. The one that when a human adopts a pet at the animal shelter, and a dog runs straight to that person – a shout-out: ‘It’s me you want, your new best friend!’

So technically, ropes or cords don’t talk… (At least not that we here at RMSAAM have heard of!) the word ‘unspoken’ is simply that; words that don’t need to be said aloud. And how do we as humans interpret the unspoken, and most mysteriously and curiously, do animals interpret it?

First, we look at the word ‘connection’. Because everything around us, including humans and our animal counterparts are bundles of energy, we forget that our physical boundaries are just that, physical. These are the doors we open, the car doors we lock and unlock, and any walls, or other obstacles we may walk into. But without running the risk of getting too ‘out there’, we will keep this simple. Energy has no boundaries. Therefore, energetic, or ‘psychic’ connections we have with each other as humans, also apply to animals. This is why it is possible to communicate with them. And how they know when we are sad, or emotional, or need a big hug or kiss.

So, why you? Why did that dog come straight over to you at the animal shelter? Why did that horse dance and prance around its pen or field to greet you, and ask you to stop and say hello? Energy is alive and well, and beautiful and has no words. The only words are the actions that come from such a miraculous connection.

Think back. Reach back into your memory, and think about the same experience you had with a human. The recognition was unexplainable, nearly impossible. Yet, the connection was undeniable. The question ultimately, is not, ‘why me’, but rather, ‘Why not me?’

Our animal friends have a soul, a gentle and loving spirit that moves us, and with us; when we open ourselves up to our animal friends’ love, we open up to universal love – a love that is undeniable, and totally real and accessible. Our pets are our teachers in this arena!

Many stories about animal connections abound… please share yours with us, we’d love to hear them!

Should horses be paired?

A lovely horse is always an experience…. It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words. ~Beryl Markham

Some of us, while driving down a country road have witnessed a lone horse in its round pen, or in a field. While this is not unusual, the question remains: Should horses have partners?

Because horses are herd animals, loneliness can cause separation anxiety, and emotional distress. Herbal remedies, and essential oils can help to calm stress and anxiety. In addition, Bach flowers can also help with varying emotional states; Bach Flower Remedies for Animals by Helen Graham, is a helpful book to reference. You can also visit our store, for more options in caring for your horse under emotional duress.

If a horse has a preference to pace in a specific area or pattern, the other concern is the wear and tear on their legs and feet. Finally, another malady that the horse may experience due to chronic stress and loneliness is ulcers. Common symptoms can be loss of appetite, poor hair coat, grumpy attitude, and poor weight. Some horses with ulcers have few symptoms except a lousy attitude and a refusal to work!

Many factors come into play when a decision is to be made about pairing up a horse with another horse, a donkey, goat, sheep, etc. Consider the environment of the horse, and until a decision can be made whether to bring a partner into your horse’s life, massage, acupressure, acupuncture, and other types of naturopathic treatments, may also be viable, and helpful solutions, in aiding your horse to cope with loneliness.

RMSAAM would be interested in hearing any of your experiences in dealing with a lonely horse, and any creative solutions that were used to help your horse through lonely times!

 

Spring is Here, Stop Hibernating, and Let’s Not Get Angry!

A wood imbalance can lead to spinal problems, poor flexibility, arthritis and eye problems.

 

by Beth Pelosa (RMSAAM Animal Acupressure Level 1, and Level 2 instructor.)

Spring is a happy time. The spring grass is emerging, and the animals love the return of longer days of sunshine, and warmth of the spring air. But according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, being angry is exactly what we can expect of our animals if we don’t balance their Wood element.

In TCM, spring is represented by the wood element.  Wood represents birth and newness. Wood governs the spine, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and the eyes.  A wood imbalance can lead to spinal problems, poor flexibility, arthritis and eye problems.

But most important for the emotions, wood governs the liver.  The Liver meridian is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and smooth flowing Qi means health and vitality.  The emotion associated with the liver, and the wind of spring, is Anger.  If your animal’s liver is imbalanced their Qi will be disrupted and they can become irritable and even angry.

A spring acupuncture practice of balancing the wood element and caring for your liver will make for a happier and healthier spring! So spring into action and give yourself, your animals, and your clients’ animals a Spring Acupressure Session.

Massage the following points clockwise with your thumb, for thirty seconds on the right of  side of the animal, and then do the same on the left.

• Liv3 , the Source Point of the Liver Meridian, to promote the smooth flow of Qi,  and balance the emotions.
• LI11, to help support the immune system. Extremely, helpful for animals with allergies.
• Sp6, Three Yin meeting to promote Yin energy, and balance Kidney, Liver, and Spleen.

In addition, this is the time to increase our animal’s activity. Your animals need to come out of hibernation. Walk your dogs more often. If your horses have been off work all winter, start doing your ground work, and light riding. The increase in activity will be helpful for them, and you!

Do not perform acupressure on pregnant animals. Acupressure is not a substitute for veterinary medicine.

Take me out to the ballgame

Reblogged from DoggyMom.com:

• 

It's April and the 2013 Major League Baseball season is underway.   Did you know that many MLB teams hold special events for dogs to attend the game?

These events allow baseball fans to watch the game from a special section of the stadium.  Animal welfare charities are often supported through these events, which are accompanied by photo sessions and other activities (and some giveaways).

Read more… 620 more words