CASE STUDY 1 - CHASQUI

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Chasqui is an 8 year old Norfolk Terrier castrated male. He had always been a happy confident outgoing terrier with no behavioural isssues other than that of a typical terrier, namely chasing squirrel, birds, cats and anything which could be considered as prey.

Christmas 2006  friends of the family offered to housesit and look after Chasqui whilst the family were away for a month in Peru. These friends moved in with their 3 boys and their Golden Retreiver, they were a lovely family, but not used to looking after small dogs. The owner believes that Chasqui probably got trampled on in the hallway whilst getting ready to go out for a walk, or maybe the Golden Retriever landed on Chasqui. One day the front door was left ajar as they prepared to leave for a walk and Chasqui ran out into the street. Luckily they live in a condominium and there is not much traffic. There was a big commotion whilst the family and the au pair all tried to catch Chasqui.

When the owner returned she noted that Chasqui seemed very fearful every time he approached the hallway and if she tried to coax him into the hallway (which is where the coat and lead was kept) he would start to scream and recoil away out of the hallway. If the coaxing persisted Chasqui would submissively urinate and yelp. On occasion Chasqui would sometimes yelp and show anxiety in other areas of the house, but not with the same severity as that displayed in the hallway. Chasqui had never exhibited any form of anxious behaviour in the house (or indeed anywhere, he is normally a confident dog). This anxious behaviour in the hallway and other parts of the house has got progressively worse over the last 18 months, he is totally fine outside of the house.

Consultation –

Chasqui’s owner brought him down to me and after letting him explore the room and the surroundings I then started to work with him by offering him floral waters to start with, then progressing to the essential oils, then onto the macerated oils and powders. Watching his reactions closely and listening to what he told me, I then sent his owner home with the following remedies to work with him everyday.

Licorice powder - Stress can lower the function of the adrenal glands, which are involved in the fight/flight process. Licorice mimics human adrenal hormones and can help to elevate cortisol levels within the body, which may be depleted from stress.

Spriulina - As stress can lower the immune system, I wanted to ensure that Chasqui had the ability to rebalance the system.

Arnica macerate - Good for emotional and physical bruising

Linden blossom –Clears past physical trauma and abuse, and lifts heavy emotions.  Although the owner and I did not feel that Chasqui had been intentionally abused however something traumatic must have happened which is why I wanted to offer this oil

Vetivert – Vetivert is very calming and restorative. It is a very grounding oil. It is nurturing and reassuring

Roman Chamomille - Great for anxiety and animals with a nervous temperament

Violet Leaf – Good for comforting the heart and calming nervousness

Chasqui’s owner reported that he was very keen  on all of the products. I asked her to offer the oils in the playroom to start with which is where Chasqui felt the most confident, so that he could build a relationship with the oils. Then I asked her to move near to the open door, which leads to the ‘dreaded’ hallway. When he was comfortable with this for another 2 days, I asked her to move into the hallway to offer the oils, and to stay working with the oils daily in the hallway until he decided to wean off the oils, which he subsequently did a couple of weeks later.

Conclusion –

Chasqui has not yelped or submissively urinated anywhere in the house for over a month now. The owner remarks that he is back to his old self, bubbly and full of fun. He gets very excited now when his lead is picked up in the hallway, which is what he always used to do. He does not cower in any way or show signs of apprehension. The owner says that he is calmer round the house in general, more so than he has been for the last 18 months. Rupert, Beatriz’s husband who was extremely skeptical about all alternative treatments admitted that he was amazed at the turn around in Chasqui’s behaviour and is now completely converted.

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