by Heather Edwards

The Tellington TTouch method is a special type of bodywork that you can learn to do with your pet. Linda Tellington-Jones developed this method based on her years of work with domestic and wild animals such as horses, dogs, snow leopards, chimpanzees, and birds, as well as her training in The Feldenkrais Method (a system of physical therapy techniques based on moving the body in new ways to activate unused neural pathways). Tellington TTouches are a variety of circular touches and methods of lifting and stroking the skin in order to stimulate cellular function and to promote healing. TTouches can relieve stress and fear, alleviate pain and stiffness, increase body awareness, and promote confidence.

I decided to learn more about TTouch earlier this year when my dog Max was having difficulty raising his head when he first woke up in the mornings. My vet felt that Max was beginning to develop arthritis in his neck. In addition to acupuncture and homeopathic treatments, she suggested that massage or bodywork would be helpful for Max. I contacted Tracy Vroom, a TTouch practitioner who also does craniosacral therapy, and she came to meet Max and teach me some TTouches that I could do with him. The change in Max has really been amazing since Tracy began working with him and I started doing the TTouches at home. After her first session with him, I could feel how much looser his skin felt on his body since some of his tension had started to be released. Max no longer has trouble raising his head in the morning, and his balance has also improved. His whole demeanor seems calmer and more relaxed, and he is becoming more trusting with new people.

One of the TTouches that Tracy suggested for Max is called the Clouded Leopard TTouch. This is the basic TTouch and can be used all over the body to increase body awareness and relieve stress. You place your hand on your pets’ body with slightly curved fingers, then use the pads of your fingers to push the skin around in a clockwise circle, one-and-a-quarter times around the circle. One of Max’s favorite TTouches is called Tarantulas Pulling the Plow. In this TTouch you place your hands side by side and walk your fingers forward while pulling your two thumbs behind your fingers like a plough. Max was a bit suspicious about the TTouches at first but now finds them very relaxing. I try to work with him when he is lying on his bed and ready for some downtime.

Although I have not done this with Max yet, the Tellington TTouch method also incorporates groundwork for dogs to help them with balance and obedience issues. Dogs are led through a maze of poles on the ground and over obstacles in order to improve coordination and balance, focus attention in a new way, and promote healing after injuries.

Another application for TTouch that I think is very exciting is its use for shy or feral cats. We at Animal Alliance will sometimes have cats in foster care that are afraid of people and need to be better socialized before they can be adopted. Linda Tellington-Jones uses TTouches to help socialize shy or feral cats, utilizing feathers or special wands to touch the cats without threatening them by using direct physical contact too soon.