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IAATH Conference, Held October 24-27, Portland, OR
I was invited to speak at the International Alliance of Animal Therapy and Healing (IAATH) Conference in Portland Oregon this past October. We had four days of exchanging ideas and listening to presenters on subjects encompassing various modalities. The theme was on concurrent care and how animal therapists can work with veterinarians. It was refreshing to be with other animal therapists and healers and feel the warmth and support each of us had for the others. I have not spoken at a conference before where I've been warmly hugged by other speakers as soon as I have stepped off the podium. The mutual respect was evident amongst all who attended. One inspiring speaker was Margrit Coates from the UK. Margrit is the author of Healing For Horses, the essential guide to using hands-on healing energy with horses. She illustrated how her work as a registered healer in the UK combines successfully with veterinarian care and how she works closely with a homeopathic veterinarian and physiotherapist. Their combined clinic, called Holistic Pets, offers natural therapies to all animals. They also have associates who include an animal osteopath, horse dentist and nutritionist. Margrit gave some wonderful case histories and showed how shared energy fields have an effect on the well being of the animal. (For our small animal members she has a book in the works called Hands on Healing for Pets.) Another speaker who impressed me was Nancy Stephens from Florida. Nancy is an Equine Wellness Consultant and presented a paper on using nutrition, homeopathy, and aromatherapy to combat West Nile Virus. Her results were commendable and she employed aromatherapy in a different way than how I had been trained. She was gracious enough to spend time privately with me explaining the principles she applied. The protocol Nancy developed with 22 cases of the virus has been employed on horses she has treated since 2001. Originally, some veterinarians were skeptical of her approach, but with this success rate she is finding more acceptance. Todd Merrell made a brief appearance, driving down from Canada to present the Strasser Model of Equine Form and Barefoot Horse Management. I had not had much exposure to this method of hoof care for the horse and had many questions for Todd. I came away from his presentation inspired not only by his knowledge but also for his compassion for the horses and their owners. My vote for the most passionate speaker was holistic veterinarian and chiropractor, Adrienne Moore. She presented a matter-of-fact discussion on chiropractic and how it integrates with other care. She also discussed the use of different styles of adjusting the body. Her passion for helping the horse was powerful and I can see why she has founded Miracles & Moore, a non-profit organization to provide training and rehabilitative therapies for animals.Judy Aziuss from California presented documented case histories on several vibrational essences and their use on animals. Judy was particularly impressed with our Australian Living Essences. I enjoyed her discussion while she was inviting the participants to explore more than 700 available vibrational essences. I chose to present one paper on the use of aromatherapy and how it can be incorporated into training, massage and veterinary practice. I also presented a paper on therapists working together. It was wonderful to speak of how we worked together with no thought of charging each other and how we supported each other with unusual cases or with other challenges we all face at different times. There were several other speakers and I can say that I came away with something special from each one of them. The participants at the conference also had a lot to offer, as many of them were experienced therapists and healers as well. The discussions stimulated by each presenter were also an opportunity to understand each person's interpretation of his or her own modality. Towards the end of the conference several case histories were presented to a panel of experts. This, too, was enlightening. No one therapy or modality was exclusive of the other. Each panelist discussed how he or she would approach each case. The approaches overlapped each other and complemented, or in some cases enhanced, what the others on the panel would do. Each panelist came into the discussion from a very distinct perspective; the outcome with each case was a healthier and happier animal. The conference was an experience of being surrounded by amazing healers and therapists and non-stop discussions on how we can help our animals. I have come home with some wonderful new friends and some ideas to develop. Catherine Bird
Author, A Healthy Horse the Natural Way Catherine Bird is the author of A Healthy Horse the Natural Way (New Holland Publishers, UK and Australia; Lyons Press, USA). In her clinical practice in Sydney, Australia, as an equine therapist, she focuses on natural health care for horses; from the companion horse to the international competitor to Olympic and Paralympic level, Thoroughbreds from foals through track racing, the NSW Mounted Police horses, as well as horses competing in dressage, jumping, eventing, endurance, and pony club. Catherine regularly contributes to and is profiled in equestrian and general publications worldwide as well as on radio and television. She teaches face-to-face in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and United States, and by correspondence elsewhere, www.happyhorses.com.au. [EDITOR's NOTE: Send us your reviews of a recent Holistic Equine Clinic. Please be frank...we want to let our readers know what is and is not working out there.] |
