Acupuncture for dogs is a form of holistic healing for dogs used to treat a wide variety of canine health disorders.
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been practiced for nearly 4,000 years.
Over the last few decades it has been increasing in popularity within the veterinary community.
What is Acupuncture for Dogs?
Like other holistic healing modalities such as homeopathy for dogs, flower essences and Reiki for dogs, acupuncture is a form of energetic healing.
Traditional Chine Medicine recognizes that there is a vital, living energy force, known as Qui (pronounced “chee”), that flows through the body. This energy is responsible for controlling the body’s harmony and maintaining balance between the body, mind and spirit. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease in an imbalance of this life energy.
This energy, or Qui, flows into, through, and out of the body via a complex network of pathways known as the meridians. There are 14 meridian pathways that carry energy to every organ and physiological system within the body. The meridians can be compared to the arteries. Just like arteries carry blood throughout the body, meridians transport energy. Maintaining proper energy flow within the meridians is essential to the health of our organs and systems, and to life itself.
How Acupuncture for Dogs Works
Although the meridians run deep within the body, they surface on the skin via hundreds of spots known as acupoints. There are at least 360 acupoints that have been identified.
Since these acupoints open up into the meridians, manipulating them can manipulate the body’s energy flow. In this way, deficiencies or excesses of energy can be corrected, restoring balance and harmony to the Qui.
The word “acupuncture” comes from the Latin “acus” (needle) and “punctura” (puncture). Just like in humans, acupuncture for dogs works by inserting tiny needles into specific acupuncture points to restore or redirect the flow of energy.
However, needles are not the only means to stimulate acupuncture points. Other methods include:
- Electroacupuncture – a form of acupuncture in which the needles are attached to a device that generates continuous electrical pulses, enhancing the effect of the needles
- Acupressure – using manual pressure on a point instead of a needle
- Sonopuncture – stimulating the body by using high frequency sound waves instead of needles
- Aquapuncture – injecting saline-diluted Vitamin B12 into an acupuncture point
- Laserpuncture – stimulating the acupuncture points using a laser.
In addition, small gold beads, magnets or surgical staples can be implanted into acupuncture points to create permanent stimulation.
Conditions Treated with Acupuncture for Dogs
Acupuncture can be used to treat many types of dog illnesses and conditions, including but not limited to:
- Musculoskeletal disorders (muscle soreness, back pain, chronic arthritis, slipped disk, hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease)
- Skin diseases and allergic dermatitis
- Gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, vomiting, gastric ulcers, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease)
- Neurological disorders (seizure, epilepsy, spinal chord trauma, some types of paralysis)
- Respiratory conditions (asthma, cough, upper respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis)
- Pre- and post-operative pain management
- Kidney disease
- Urinary incontinence and retention
- Behavioral issues
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Thyroid disorders
- Geriatric weakness
In addition to treating disease, acupuncture is also used as a preventative measure to maintain the body in a state of balance.
If you would like to learn more about acupuncture for dogs or find a veterinary acupuncturist in your area, visit the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture.
The AAVA is an association comprised of veterinarians who practice acupuncture and is dedicated to promoting the art and science of veterinary acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Web site has a directory of veterinary acupuncturists by state and type of animal practice at http://www.aava.org/php/aava_blog/aava-directory/. You can also call them at 303-772-6726.
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This is not a pitch or advertisment, I just thought that this was interesting.
NEW YORK, NY – April 26, 2011 – Doggie Date Night, hosted by PetsDating.com is a chance for NY dogs to mix, mutt and mingle! Plus, meet the Doggie Moms and enjoy a drink. Schmitty the Weather Dog will be available for photos which will benefit the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals® . The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals® is a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters with the mission of transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015, learn more about NYC Mayor’s Alliance here: http://www.animalalliancenyc.org. Learn more about Schmitty the Weather Dog here: www.gottavisitnyc.com. Join the fun on Friday May 20th from 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center located at 107 Suffolk Street, New York, NY 10002. For more info visit www.csvcenter.org or RSVP here: http://doggiedatenight.eventbrite.com/
PetsDating.com is a supportive online community where both pet owners and their pets can connect with others just like them. In addition to meeting other local pets, members of the PetsDating.com community have access to important and relevant pet related information, as well as beneficial resources. At Doggie Date Night, pets and their parents will have a chance to create a free profile on PetsDating.com, win prizes, meet adoptable dogs, and be filmed on Pet Fashion TV.
PetsDating.com recognizes that people build strong emotional bonds with their pets, often treating them as members of the family. It is important to allow these furry loved ones to also create lasting relationships and friendships with other animals. Therefore, PetsDating.com has created a strong and encouraging community where members and their pets can come together and find security in others who share similar values and interests. After visiting www.PetsDating.com and becoming a free member, users can find additional comfort in joining or creating a group that supports animal rights and strongly encourages humane treatment of pets and people alike.
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My day job is across the street from Madison Park so I like to stop in on the way home. I usually have my camera with me so I pop off a few shots of the four legged park goers. I love watching the dogs and their doggie politics.
This week I managed to shoot:
Ella and Archie
Buttercup
Heta
Jack Jack
lisa
And quite a few others of whom I did not catch their names. If I shot your dog and you would like the pictures please go to the gallery and right click and “Save As” to download them, or simply drag them to your desk top.
If you would like to order high rez matted, framed prints, or greeting cards please follow this link.
On all sales 10% of the profits will be given to the “Friends of Jemmy’s Run” who help maintain and buy supplies for the dog run.
If you do not see you dog and I shot him or her please email me from the info link at the top left of the page and I will do my best to post the shots for you. If would like a special shooting of you pup please see the info page as well.
High Rez Dog Prints, just Click Ella and Archie above.
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As I often do I walk through Madison Square Park on my lunch brake looking for dogs to shoot. I came across a friend dog walker who was talking to the owner of this Boxer (forgive me I don’t remember her name). I asked my friend if could shoot the dog she was walking, another Boxer, and she suggested that I take pictures of this guy’s dog – another boxer, it was “Her Day.” I assumed that they were referring to her day as her birthday. My friend then pointed out it was her last day…
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“She has Cancer, and I’m having to put her down tonight and I wanted to take her for a walk.”
I snapped off a few shots, gave her a treat, and went back to work with things in a little better of a perspective.
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About 50 dogs in Upland have been signed up for a bicoastal puppy parade Saturday to raise awareness for pets abandoned when their owners’ homes are foreclosed. The other pup crawl will take place in New York City.
The parade began in 2009 as a way to help shelters deal with an increase in foreclosure pets at a time when donations and adoptions were down, said event co-founder Joseph Hassan.
Six rescues in New York, Florida and California were chosen to receive donations from the pup crawl. Money is raised through registrations, corporate donations and the sale of lighted leashes, which will be used by some of the owners during the parade.
In California, the beneficiary is Ace of Hearts in Los Angeles, which rescues animals from shelters the day they are scheduled to be euthanized then finds homes for them. The West Coast Pup Crawl is sponsored by Helping Out Pets Everyday of Upland, a city about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
In New York City, 500 canines and their owners will trot across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Hassan said the New York event reached its capacity for its permit. Dogs from as far away as Georgia and Maryland have been signed up to take part, he said.
The Humane Society of the United States, the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals and Petfinder.com are sponsors of that parade.
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Online:
http://www.thepupcrawl.com
http://www.helpingoutpetseveryday.com
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Okay so you are looking for that next challenging carrier. I was researching my next move when I came across a whole world of pet therapy. Don’t laugh it seems like there is a need for this, after all why shouldn’t a dog living New York City be any less neurotic then the rest of us. I mean don’t they need outlets like the rest of us. Animals can’t just go out and buy a bottle of Grey Goose or a pack of smokes like the rest of us. If they bark they are told to shut up, so there is no venting there either.
It might be good to have someone to growl at who is not going to take it personally. However, in all seriousness, most pet therapists are actually trainers. Some take it a step further and actually deal with specific behaviors that dogs have. So in reading about this here is what I found if you want to work with dogs on a therapist level.
First of all, like with any business you should be bonded. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, and knowing how to market yourself to get clients, is not a bad idea either. Understand the owner and their pets’ needs. Maybe they have a big dog living in a studio apartment and they need to get out once a week or so (call my friend Kristi to take them on a hike.) In other words treat their pets’ behavior problems by discovering and healing the underlying cause. Sometimes there is a conflict between old pets and new ones introduce new pets into homes where older pets have staked their claim over time mesh the new family together. It is good to get to know their needs and know when their dog is not feeling well and needs a visit to the vet.
As a pet therapist, you may get calls from people who merely want to know what their animal is thinking! How can you possibly know what they’re thinking?The answer is, like with anything, practice practice practice. I’m told that some of the best dog therapists began their tenure working in animal shelters or for the Humane Society. After all these are akin to human group homes and populated with dogs from all sorts of homes and backgrounds.
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I know a dog walker who takes the dogs on country hikes. Harrison is a good buddy of mine and went for his first outing. If you are interested in contacting Kristi to take you dog on a country hike please contact me and I will put you in touch.
Harrison’s First hike.
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It finally Feels like spring and it’s great to get out to Prospect park and shoot some dogs. I came across these guys today. I can’t speak for the dogs, but Us humans are sure glad it’s not snowing any more.
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You don’t want to leave your dog in the hotel room, but what is there to do with a dog in the big city?
1. Here is a New York Times article about dog orginized dog walks.
2. Give Your best friend a trip to the Doggie Day Spa -Why Not?
3. Here is a great list of dog Runs around the city.
One of the biggest problems is getting around the city with your pooch. A Taxi driver is allowed to turn you down if your pet is not in a a kennel. Most will too, but some will take small dogs, especially if they are having a slow day. And forget the subways unless your buddy is s Special Needs K-9. I guess that the MTA in all of it’s glory figures that your dog will pee in the subway cars. Never mind the bum that they let move in who takes up 3 seats and smells like recycled Malt Liquor.
Here is a couple of alternitives:
Pet Taxi - Pet Mini Van
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