How I work with an animal that can’t trust people
So many people have stepped up to adopt all kinds of animals that have been mistreated or had other unfortunate circumstances in their lives that have made them wary of human contact. Animal rescue center, shelters, and humane societies go to great lengths to aclimate animals to a new way of perceiving people so they can find a new home. It’s not always easy.
Like humans who’ve received physical or emotional abuse and neglect, there’s a mistrust, even though there’’s a great want to find love. It’s up to us to take the time needed to help a prospective pet move beyond their past to their new loving future. The animals that are guided through their fears while being cared for in sanctuaries and foster care make the most adoptable pets and then don’t get returned for “bad behavior”.
It’s not bad behavior. It’s triggered reactions to cues that bring back their traumatic past. It’s a safety mechanism that’s no longer helpful. How can we help the animal move past this? Lots of love of course, but also Jin Shin Jyutsu.
When I work with an animal for the first time, I often don’t touch them. I spend the first bit of time sitting nearby, not making full eye contact that can be perceived as defensive, and often sitting so I’m at their level, rather than leaning down from above which can be perceived as threatening. In the case of horses, I stay far away or behind the fence and just quietly observe them, holding my fingers, breathing slowly and sending them words of love and connection from my heart. If I’m in the paddock, I walk far away from them, never moving in a direct line. Kind of like a drunken sailor, I weave in and out, back and forth, just watching and observing. While I’m doing this, I’m also holding my fingers one by one and exhaling deeply. Letting go of my stuff and emotions so I can be more loving and open for them.
Then I wait. I wait for them to make an overture to me. It might be a look with ears relaxed. It might be a step forward, or a softened eye. I may take a few steps forward, still not going directly towards them.I let them come to me and let them sniff. If it’s a horse and they are calm and feel safe, I may breathe through my nose into their nostrils. I do this often when I’m beginning with the fence between us. Horses learn a lot about you from taking in your breath. The measure your cortisol levels, your level of anxiety or calm.
Once we’ve established that the animal feels calm in my presence, I may start by placing one hand at a time on them. No animal wants to feel trapped, especially one who’s been abused. I like to hold the center of the back near the ribcage in an energetic location that calms fear. If they are more trusting, I may begin with the centering hold, placing one hand across the shoulders and slowly placing the other between the legs at the center chest. I take it slow, watch and observe. If they give me a quick look, or pin their ears, I remove my hands and give them space. I may walk away, I wait patiently until they come back. If they don’t, I send them love and return another day.
It’s a bit of a dance that we have together, but I’ve found it’s the best way to establish trust. When I do this, rather than rush to try to “help” them, it goes so much better. The next time we meet, we start again, but the dance takes a bit less time. Trust grows. Then we can start working together on their terms to release their past history and move into a new loving life. Slow love and Jin Shin Jyutsu can do this.
I’ll be having a one day clinic here in Lexington, KY on July 17th at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center. If you’re interested in attending, email me here and I’ll share more information with you. Class size will be limited to 8. You can also download my Free Guide to Calming Your Pet’s Anxiety here.