Zoopharmacognosy Scotland is here to help animals of all species and breeds to achieve and maintain complete well-being.

Zoopharmacognosy is a behavioural science based on observational research and is used to provide therapy for emotional, physical or behavioural conditions. This is as equally successful on acute conditions as with long term chronic issues and works with animals of all ages. Animals in the wild have an innate ability to seek and to instinctively know what they need to remedy their conditions.  Animals will select their own remedy for their illness by foraging for the relevant plant or compound. This concept is known as Self Selection.   Zoopharmacognosy enables animals to maintain their health in their natural environment and this ability to self select allows animals to keep maintaining their health in domesticity using plant oils and compounds. When working with animals we allow them to self diagnose and self medicate for their condition. Offering the relevant and appropriate secondary compounds (such as essential oils) for self selection allows the animal to be in control of its health.   My role is to then offer remedies with each individual animal and then teach the owners how to continue to offer the remedies safely. Most therapy require two visits and then the owner can continue offering the remedies for as long as the animal continues to select – this can be several days to a few weeks depending on the condition.  The key factor here is that the animal is offered remedies and they self select or not and they also self dose their condition.  At no time would a remedy be added to feed.  Animals are always given the choice to select or not.

During my training and since qualifying I have worked with numerous animals and their owners using the principles of self selection and medication. This therapy is gentle and non-invasive and you will see how the animals themselves make the choice as to whether their body requires a compound or not.  A horse I worked with recently had not being ridden for 2 years due to his unpredictable behaviour.  He had reacted to his vaccine in recent years and his behaviour had become very edgy.  He had been anaemic the last two years at Spring- time and had also suffered nose bleeds and sinusitis.

When I saw him he had recently had a new vaccine and had experienced a less severe reaction.  I started by offering him oils related to allergy, inflammation and other compounds to boost his immune system.  He selected the anti-inflammatory oils (German Chamomile, and peppermint) and also frankincense which is for fear, Linden Blossom for trauma and Jasmine absolute which is balancing.  He also took barley grass that supports the immune system as it is high in minerals and rose hip shells which are high in vitamin C. I left diluted oils with the owner and showed her how to offer them to him.  During the session he yawned a lot which helps to release tension and had some great rolls in his stall.  At the beginning of the session he was rubbing himself against the stall door and wall as if his skin was irritated, this gradually slowed and stopped during the session. We also noticed his eyes softened and his general demeanour relaxed.  I returned 2 days later and he had continued to select the oils – sometimes favouring some more than others.  The owner continued offering him oils and compounds over the next 2 weeks and then started taking him out for a walk on a lead rein and I suggested taking the frankincense with her in case he wanted it out on the walk. Two weeks later she started taking him out on hacks and within 6 weeks took him to an event. She said he was a bit wary at first but did the cross country course and she was so pleased with him.  She hadn’t imagined being able to do this before and he continues to remain well.  His owner is now attending one of my workshops to learn more about how she can use oils with her horses.

Zoopharmacognosy is complementary to veterinary care and owners are encouraged to consult their vets prior to calling a therapist.

Angela runs talks at various venues and clinics, and also has an Equine Introduction to Applied Zoopharmacognosy workshop on behalf of the Ingraham Academy in September.  She will be at the next Body and Soul Fair in Glasgow so to find out more go to www.zoopharmacognosyscotland.co.uk or go and say hello at the Body and Soul fair on 21st August.