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Applied Animal Herbal Choices (Zoopharmacognosy)

"[taking it] to a whole new level… Breathtaking, humbling and moving, all at once…"

What is it?

This gentle and highly effective method offers your animal the opportunity to explore and choose from a wide range of plants, in a variety of aromatic and herbal forms, for the purpose of meeting their own physical and/or emotional needs.


A self-confessed ‘herb nerd’, I am daily in awe of both the diversity and power of the medicinal plants that I have affectionately and collectively come to know of as ‘nature’s pharmacy’. And a more credible ally, I have yet to meet! 



It is only in the past 30 years that we have come to observe and annotate the actions of various members of the animal kingdom self-selecting and self-medicating from nature, and henceforth coined the term ‘zoopharmacognosy’. 

Animals have been doing just this for millennia, though, it seems. And, likewise, our ancestors.


My deliberate decision to train with horses, dogs and cats means that I have acquired detailed knowledge of each of the three dietary categories necessary for consideration when consulting in zoopharmacognosy, ie herbivores, omnivores and carnivores.



Understanding which dietary group an animal belongs to is key to offering them the optimum selection of products to help them, and in an environment where plants that they might otherwise select may not be freely available to them. According to protocol then, when working with any other species, such as Farm, Exotic & Companion Animals, I consider which dietary group the animal belongs to and follow either equine, canine or feline principles accordingly.


What can I expect from a session?

Wherever possible, you will be asked to complete a Consultation form in advance of the session. This provides enough information for the preliminary planning and will be revisited on the day, prior to commencement.*


Having been introduced to your animal, over the course of 1-2 hours, I will sequentially offer them a selection of aromatic waters, essences, hydrosols, essential oils, herbs and powders. They will have the opportunity to interact with any/all of these, and as an owner/caregiver you will be encouraged to both participate in and learn from the process, too.


Throughout, we will monitor your animal for a wide range of physical and emotional releases. These can, on occasion, be misleading and vary enormously from yawning, licking and muscle twitching, to distancing, detachment and even temporary agitation. You will be taught how to recognise even the most subtle changes and supported in taking the time to familiarise yourself with both positional and behavioural differences in your animal. Full Guidance Notes giving detailed instructions on the continued offering of products will also be provided. 

*Contraindications apply and, in the instance of such, referral to your Vet will be advised. 



“Your conclusions make sense and are very much in keeping with the behaviour he [dog] exhibits.”
A Robertson