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Responsible Pet Adoption

When Obedience Training Is Not Enough

 

From Westchester Magazine, Issue Date: August 2007,  Posted On: 7/16/2007

P.O.V.
By: Tom Schreck

Bobbi Pollack,

Tellington Touch, Hawthorne

 

Bobbi Pollack practices something called the Tellington Touch, a system developed by a woman named Linda Tellington-Jones. Initially done on just horses, the process is now available for all companion animals. The touch itself is a circular movement, done on different spots on the animal to “rebalance the system.” Bobbi tells me it’s important that you do a full circle-and-a-quarter with each touch and you only do each spot once. This touch connects with the nerve cells that then pass it along “throughout the system.”

 

We’re in Bobbi’s basement and Riley is looking a bit uneasy.

 

“He doesn’t feel good about himself,” Bobbi says. “He has low self esteem. The T-Touch will help put him more in balance. Flower-essence therapy would help as well.”

 

“Flower essence?” I ask.

 

“Yes, flower essences are a subdivision of homeopathy. You might put a few drops in his water or on him, but you have to be careful not to touch him with the bottle because that will change the vibration.”

 

Riley is wandering around sniffing, and I ask Bobbi to demonstrate the touch thing. She calls Riley over and starts to do a series of these circle-and-a-quarter movements starting around Riley’s head and moving down the length of his body. Riley seems to be grooving on it.

 

“There are three parts to the Tellington Touch,” Bobbi says. “There’s the touch itself, the equipment, and what we call the Playground of Higher Learning, which is a little like an agility course that your dog can master and feel good about himself.”

 

Unfortunately, Riley and I don’t have time for the playground action, but I do want to see the equipment.

 

“One of the main things we do is wrap the dog in a big Ace bandage in a cross pattern. It helps balance him, comfort him, and it will help how he feels about himself.”

 

I’m a little nervous about how Riley is going to feel getting wrapped up by a stranger. I watch Bobbi put the Ace bandage around my dog as if he has a huge toothache, and I have to admit I’m a bit skeptical. I also think my dog looks ridiculous and I can’t imagine that that’s going to help his self-esteem.

 

Bobbi finishes and Riley sits calmly at her feet and then decides to lie down. His breathing has slowed and, frankly, he looks like he just smoked some really good pot. I can’t really tell if he’s feeling better about himself, but when I leave, I keep the wrap on him and he falls asleep on my front seat, making the drive up the winding Taconic a breeze. (The service costs $90 for a one-hour session.)

 

Bobbi tells me that, though it’s not expressly part of the T-Touch system, the techniques probably work on opening up Riley’s chakras. Well, if that’s the case, then Riley’s freakin’ chakras must be gaping because he’s snoring like a sawmill all the way home.

 

 

About Tellington Touch

 

Tellington 'TTouch' is a system of respectful, non-invasive, and positive teaching techniques that can help your animal to learn acceptable behavior.  

 

Named after its intuitive founder and creator, Linda Tellington-Jones, the TTouch system was originally created for horses, but quickly expanded to include exotic and companion animals.

 

TTouch teaches animals to feel differently about themselves, and it directly addresses fear and aggression issues by boosting self-esteem and confidence.  It can also focus an animal and provide clarity of direction, reduce stress and calm respiration.  

 

TTouch is a great complement to traditional training techniques, and a tool for professional sitters, groomers and veterinary personnel.

 

Tellington TTouch works with all companion animals including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, snakes, mice, rats, and other domesticated animals.  

 

How Does Tellington Touch Work?

 

The Tellington TTouch method is comprised of three components that work independently, but are designed to work most efficiently when the three components are combined.   

 

The first of the components works on the neurological level, while the second uses tools and equipment to influence the balance and self-confidence of the animal.  The third component uses relaxation and grounding exercises to increase self-esteem, body awareness and focus.  

    

The Touch

Most of the system touches use a circular and clockwise motion.  And the majority of the system touches are named after specific animals that remind the practitioner how and when to perform the touch.  

 

 

When a practitioner is working on an animal, the touches will look much like massage, but in actuality the pressure the practitioner uses is subtle and lighter than the touch used in massage.  This TTouch awakens the neurological system at the cellular level so that the animal actually learns a different way to relate to his world. 

 

When your animal feels more secure, relaxed and balanced he is less likely to act on instinct or out of fear, and therefore less likely to exhibit a fearful or aggressive response to a situation.

 

            The Tools and Equipment  

 

TTouch tools and equipment include special leashes, collars and harnesses to help your dog stay in balance, to encourage good posture, and to aid in focus and clarity.  The wand tool aids in teaching self-confidence and developing clarity of direction, while the wrap tool helps to alleviate fear and insecurity. 

 

 

           Ground Exercises or Confidence Course

 

This component solidifies and intensifies the work done in the other two components. The practitioner uses any kind of outside equipment that will challenge the dog and help him become more aware of his senses.  

 

This technique also allows the animal to negotiate different heights and increase self-confidence, self-esteem, and balance.  It is coupled with positive reinforcement to create a well-rounded experience that will encourage the animal to continue this positive behavior.   

 

Meet the Practitioner  - Bobbi Pollack 

 

 

Bobbi Pollack is a Tellington TTouch practitioner for companion animals.  In addition to working with private clients, she teaches classes and runs support groups that help people apply the technique themselves.  Bobbi has also spoken at the SPCA of Briarcliff Manor and the New Rochelle Humane Shelter.

 

"About 99% of what I do is education, because most people have never heard of TTouch." says Pollack.   Pollack’s favorite TTouch equipment is the wrap, which is either a reversed T-shirt or an arrangement of elastic bandages that hugs the animal. “This tool boosts an animal’s self-confidence,” she explains. "I’ve seen many cases where a dog was pacing and anxious just before a thunderstorm, and as soon as the wrap was applied, the dog would lie down and go to sleep." 

 

As Bobbi explains it "TTouch changes responses at the neurological level, so that even dogs with aggression problems or fears and anxieties can experience a new and different response. Instead of just substituting new behaviors for old behaviors, TTouch solves the problem behaviors.  And that can produce dramatic transformations!”

 

Ms. Pollack is fully insured.  She is a frequent speaker in holistic facilities throughout Westchester, and has taught and spoken on Tellington Touch at the Wainwright House,  StoneWater Sanctuary, and the White Plains Library.  She also sponsors individual and group sessions on Tellington Touch at the Circle of Tranquility Healing Center in Hawthorne, NY. 

 

Appointments and Information

 

Bobbi Pollack is available for individual sessions with or without your pet, and for group classes and presentations.  Ask about our complimentary presentations and Open Houses. Please e-mail or call for more details about our schedule.

 

Workshops and healing sessions can be tailored to your needs.  We can also accommodate small group sessions.  

 

Our Circle of Tranquility Healing space is available for rent.  Click here for more information on space rental   Circle of Tranquility

 

 

Phone                                                914.769.1446

Email                                                 sales@bobbisholisticcare.com

For information about TTouch     www.tteam-ttouch.com.

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