Let me introduce you to Stanley, my wild and spirited canine companion. When I first heard about zoopharmacognosy—a concept where animals self-medicate by choosing specific plants and substances—I was skeptical. Taking Stanley to a stranger's house and expecting him to calmly select oils seemed far-fetched. But oh boy, did he prove me wrong. 
It took Stanley a while to settle in, but once he did, he astounded me by carefully choosing oils that he felt would help him. His selections were impressive: Hemp, Rose Otto (clearly, he has expensive taste), Valerian. I couldn't believe how intuitive and clever my dog was. As we delved deeper into the session, I watched with pride as Stanley picked out Wintergreen, which I learned is excellent for pain relief. He even confidently knocked over a bottle of peppermint, clearly indicating his preference.
Then came the moment that truly blew my mind. When the practitioner brought out Arnica, a bright orange liquid known for its pain-relieving properties (despite its staining tendencies), Stanley immediately began thrusting his sore hip towards her. He knew exactly what he needed, and he wanted that Arnica applied.
This experience was incredibly enlightening for us. I purchased the oils Stanley selected and integrated them into our routine. These oils are primarily for pain relief, digestion, and calming—a tailored approach to supporting Stanley's well-being.
Now, you might wonder, how do you know if a dog is selecting an oil or if they're not interested? It's a subtle art. You observe their body language, their reactions, and their engagement with the oils. It's truly amazing to witness Stanley taking in the oil and almost instantly relaxing, followed by a deep, restorative sleep.
Zoopharmacognosy has opened up a whole new world of understanding between us. It's not just about choosing oils; it's about honouring his instincts and allowing him to guide his own health journey. It's a testament to the intelligence and intuition of animals, and I'm grateful to have experienced its profound effects firsthand with Stanley.
Next up is my experience with Enzo and zoopharmacognosy. Enzo, my boy, is the yin to Stanley's yang. His calm demeanor and thoughtful nature intrigued me to see what he would select during our session. I'm excited to share our journey and how zoopharmacognosy continues to deepen our understanding of our pets' innate wisdom and health needs. Stay tuned for the insights and discoveries we uncover together!
If you’d like to learn more about Zoopharmacognosy, I have a blog with additional details on how it works - What is Zoopharmacognosy?
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