natural pet


Beyond the usual four- legged friends, acupuncture helps animals such as reptiles, rabbits and livestock as a complement


to Western medicine or other body work to alleviate pain and speed recovery.


Needles Work Wonders on Pets


ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANIMALS


by Julie Peterson N H


eedles make most pet parents cringe, but those used for acu- puncture don’t hurt animals,


they help. T ey are what traditional Chinese veterinary medicine has used for thousands of years to enhance blood circulation, balance the nervous system


DOG OF THE MONTH


i there! My name is Shep, and I’m a young guy with a real zest for life! I’m known for being smart and curious,


and my favorite thing to do is to have fun! I’m always ready for a good play session, whether it’s tug-o-war with a rope toy or wrestling with other dog friends. I also really like going for walks, jogs and hikes. At the end of a long day of adventure, I’ll curl up with my head in your lap for a snooze. I’m crate trained and house trained, and I’m ready to learn lots more. I promise you won’t fi nd a more loyal best friend than me! Did I mention I’m available for foster-to-adopt? T at’s like a two-week trial to see how I do in your home. What do you have to lose?


To learn more about Shep or other pets to adopt, visit AustinHumaneSociety.org.


22 Austin Area Edition AustinAwakenings.com


and promote release of pain-relieving hormones in animals ranging from rab- bits to horses. “It’s a holistic approach that pin-


points the issues, unlike medicines that must go through the entire body,” says C.J. Schnier, coach for the University of


Wisconsin women’s polo team. T e fi ve thoroughbreds and a quarter horse on her Verona, Wisconsin, farm have a standing appointment every three weeks with a veterinarian that performs acupuncture for their injuries, arthritis, colic and im- mune systems. Since the founding of the Boul-


der, Colorado-based International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1974, the number of certified animal acupuncturists has grown from 80 to about 1,800, making the specialty more accessible worldwide.


Treating the Ark Beyond the usual four-legged friends, acupuncture helps animals such as reptiles, rabbits and livestock as a complement to Western medicine or other body work to alleviate pain and speed recovery. “All animals can have acupuncture,” says veterinarian Carol Jean Tillman, of the Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital, in Las Vegas. She uses acupuncture for dogs and cats with musculoskeletal conditions such as lameness due to injuries, arthritis and paralysis, and also fi nds it helpful for allergies, immune system problems and digestive issues. A 2016 review of veterinary


acupuncture clinical trials published in the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine concluded that it was safe and effective in treat- ing a wide range of medical conditions like canine hip dysplasia, pain from osteoarthritis and surgery, interver- tebral disc disease, seizure disorders, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiac and respiratory problems, and depression and anxiety.


Monika Wisniewska/Shutterstock.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32