Helping an animal through trauma

Adele Leas, my mentor, teacher, guide, and the woman who made Jin Shin Jyutsu accessible to animals and their caregivers has a wish. That wish is that one day, every animal that has experienced trauma, that has spent time in an adoption center or rescue, or has even picked up on the side of the road by a loving compassionate person, receives Jin Shin Jyutsu.

What if the basics of Jin Shin Jyutsu were a part of every adoption center and shelter’s training for their staff and volunteers? What if every new rescue was given the gift of this gentle touch to help unwind the stressful and damaging experiences they’ve seen and felt? What if every new adoption pet owner was taught this simple skill? Adele knows that these animals would heal emotionally and learn to trust again. They would recover to become the beautiful beings that they already are under the trauma they’ve experienced. They would have an even more beautiful life in their new homes free from the triggers of their past abuse. And that trauma, that life story, would melt away. I agree with Adele that it’s possible. I’ve seen it time and time again.

So how do we start? We start by embracing the fact that our hands and our touch can help. We learn that we need to get ourselves centered so we can come to animals with an open heart and mind. We slow down and take our time, knowing that the timing belongs to the animal and not us. We start with one hand, if two handed touch feels like entrapment to the animal. We watch, listen and wait. We are gentle. We are patient. We are kind. We connect.

We have many holds we can use to facilitate healing from abuse and neglect. To unwind trauma, I like to start one handed with my hand placed lightly or even hovering above the spine, midway between the neck and tail, where the ribcage connects. This is the energetic location, or Safety Energy Lock, that represents fear. I may even just envision myself holding this location as I sit quietly near the animal if touch and closeness are too much.

From there, and it might not be in the same session, I add holding one hand on the side of the neck at the top of the shoulders so there are now two hands touching the body lightly. This energetic location, or Safety Energy Lock, is about unloading and letting go. On an animal you’ll notice the the shoulders are placed at a downward angle so their burdens can slide off. Our shoulders are horizontal and we have a harder time letting go. Not the animal kingdom. They’re ready and willing.

If this touch was just one of two or three other simple holds that all rescue and shelter workers and volunteers were taught, life would be so much better for the animals they serve. They’re already receiving loving care from these wonderful people. Let’s add some energetic care. It’s simple and easy to learn. I see a future where this is possible. My goal is to teach everyone this simple but dramatic life changing art. Group by group, or one by one.

Let’s get started!