What to Expect

BEFORE THE FIRST SESSION: There is a lot of information on the Internet about neurofeedback (please see the links page). I suggest that people do as much research as feels right to them before choosing these therapies. Most of the information out there is geared toward human use but Dr. Stephen Larsen's recently released book on Dr. Len Ochs' system entitled "The Healing Power of Neurofeedback" has a chapter on practitioners who are applying neurofeedback to animals.

Jim Robbins' book 'A Symphony in the Brain' is a great background and a fun and easy read but again geared to use on humans, the information however goes for any being (bi-ped or quadruped) with two-hemispheres and a central nervous system. For more information on specific systems that we use here, I suggest consulting the Journal of Neurotherapy.

THE FIRST SESSION (1½-2 hours):
The first session will be a lot of discussion. You will most likely have many questions, and I will have questions for you based on your pets' health history. We will then do an evaluation, treatment, and discuss the findings.

I ask that (when safe to do so) you be prepared to restrain your pet for the length of the evaluation. Most horses are skeptical for the first few minutes, then drop their head and lick their lips and from that point on, treating them is easy. Dogs go both ways, some love it and willingly submit to it, some are suspicious and never get comfortable with the process even when the effects are noticeable.

THE SECOND SESSION AND SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS (1/2 hour, 45 minutes, or 1 hour):
Each session starts with discussion of the prior weeks experience, then we move on to re-evaluation and treatment. Finally we plan for further treatment.

TREATMENT SCHEDULE:
The body (and brain) has two memories, the memory of its correct and optimal structure (and functioning) and the memory of its current dysfunctional structure (and functioning). In Neurotherapy we are reminding the body of its original optimal structure and functioning and asking it to return to those and remain there. The tendency is for the body (and brain) to go back to the more familiar and more recent but less optimal function and structure. In order for success we have to give continual consistent treatment for an appropriate period of time to break the newer bad habits. WHAT THIS MEANS is that once we have assessed the pet/animal and have decided on a treatment schedule it is important to remain consistent with this schedule to prevent backsliding (which results in greater expense for you the owner).

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOTICE:

Because brain and CNS issues manifest in so many ways, the effects from treatment may be immediate or they may come on slowly depending on each individual animal.

Many horse owners report (among other things) positive changes in gait, restored ability to pick up both leads correctly, decreased leg and shoeing issues, a decrease in allergies, a better understanding of what is being asked and a greater willingness to perform.

Dog owners report better mobility, better mood, restored playfulness, decreased allergies, decrease in chewing coat/paws, healthier coat/paws.

Much of what we do in this work is based on the owners' reports of the animals' response to treatment. We base further treatment on your reports so it is your responsibility as the owner to be as thorough as possible when reporting any and all reactions to treatment.