Holistic medicine treats the person (or, in this case, animal) as a whole: mind, body, spirit. It uses several different practices, including acupuncture, massage, herbal remedies, chiropractic treatment, aromatherapy, nutrition, acupressure, and even sound therapy to address a variety of ailments and conditions.
Americans spend more than $30 billion a year on alternative treatments for adults and children, and increasingly, pets are included in that expenditure, according to Tricia Stimac, a veterinarian who is on the board of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. People often turn to alternative therapies when their pet doesn’t respond to traditional medications and procedures. And, for some people who have made nutrition, clean eating, and other holistic lifestyle choices a priority, it’s only natural (pun intended) they would make the same choices for beloved pets.
There are many holistic practices that may benefit your dog. Many veterinarians today combine holistic therapies with traditional vet care, but before you embark on any treatment, please consult your vet.
Dog Massages
Anyone who’s ever had a massage can attest to its healing, calming benefits. It goes beyond just relaxing sore muscles, too. It can improve blood flow and oxygenation, heal sprains and strains, reduce pain, and ease anxiety and stress in your dog. Some experts believe that massage even strengthens the immune system, aids digestion, aids in the removal of toxins, and decreases blood pressure. As a bonus, most dogs seem to like it. If you have no experience with massage, take your dog to a trained animal massage therapist. But you can learn to give your dog a massage, which also may strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Chiropractic Treatments for Dogs
Chiropractors manipulate the spine and other bones in other parts of the body to relieve joint, muscular, and skeletal problems. Veterinary chiropractic is a gentle process; low force is used to make adjustments to relieve pain and loss of agility, without the use of medications. While it’s gaining in popularity, it’s important to consult your vet before starting any hands-on course of care.
Your Dog’s Nutrition
This is almost a no-brainer. A healthy diet, with the right combination of nutrients and rich in protein, is a major contributor to overall health. And if your dog suffers from allergies or digestive upsets, adjustments to his diet can make all the difference. Before you change his diet, though, consult your vet to discuss what type of diet will most benefit your dog.
Acupressure
Like acupuncture, acupressure is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and can be helpful in treating injuries and anxiety and improving general well-being and health. According to TCM, by using acupressure points, you can re-establish the balance of blood flow and other vital substances to help the body heal itself. It’s a noninvasive and gentle method for healing injuries and soothing an anxious dog.
Sound
Research has shown that music affects the nervous and cardiovascular system in humans. Now, according to “Psychology Today,” there is increasing evidence that some types of music can calm a stressed, anxious dog. But what kind of music? An Irish animal behaviorist and psychologist, Deborah Wells, studied the effect of different types of music on numerous breeds of dogs. She found that dogs in a shelter environment that are exposed to classical music, like Beethoven, Brahms, Vivaldi, or Bach, spent less time barking and more time in a resting state. Ditch the Metallica though: heavy metal increased agitation.
Aromatherapy
Another tool in the holistic arsenal is aromatherapy. If you’ve fallen asleep with the aid of lavender essential oils or just felt yourself relax from the scent of a candle, you can assume that calming scents will also help an anxious dog, especially given a dog’s heightened sense of smell. According to Barbara Royal, DVM, president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, “Scent is so important in an animal’s life. It can change the way your brain functions, whether you’re feeling alarm or discomfort.”
The therapeutic use of essential oils, used in a mister or diluted into a massage lotion, can calm a dog with anxieties triggered by thunder, fireworks, travel, or separation. But because of that incredible canine nose, please consult your vet before trying aromatherapy. Some essential oils are toxic for dogs, cats, and other pets like birds.
For a truly holistic approach, you may find that some combination of conventional medicine and various holistic modalities work best for your dog. For example, a combination of herbs and a change in diet may relieve digestive upset. A combination of massage and acupuncture may best relieve your dog’s joint pain. If you’re hoping to improve his general health, you might try acupuncture, massage, and beneficial herbs.
And a variety of holistic treatments are thought to alleviate stress, anxiety and fear, and the behaviors they cause. Some technology devices, for example, combine various noninvasive methods that reduce the neurochemical responses of anxiety or fear.
Other approaches to reducing anxiety and stress include combinations of several holistic treatments, such as giving your dog a gentle massage while using a calming essential oil diffuser. Allergies or skin irritations may respond to herbs such as aloe vera, as well as a change in diet.
If you’ve tried several traditional ways to help a dog with arthritis, allergies, pain, digestive issues, or anxiety and haven’t seen the success you hoped for, a more holistic approach may be the right answer. In fact, many veterinarians today use traditional methods like lab tests and prescription drugs in conjunction with holistic remedies and procedures. As Dr. Royal says, “As a doctor, I want any tool that’s going to work. Having more tools in my tool kit has made a huge difference.”
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.
Tracey has been a true angel in our lives. She has a beautiful and warm energy about her that animals respond to and an intuition about how to connect with them on a deeper level. My senior Maltese, Sophie, adored her. For the last months of her life, we increased the massages so that Tracey came to our house 3 times a week. It was a joy to watch my dog be so lovingly cared for.
At one point, when Sophie was teetering on the edge of life, Tracey changed her schedule and came to massage her. She had been listless all day, but during the massage, she raised her head, and by the end, she was sitting up and requesting treats. I believe Tracey helped to save Sophie's life that day.
Tracey became a big part of our lives, coming to massage Sophie whenever I had to be gone for a longer period of time. She had a key to our house, and I trusted her completely. It gave me great peace to know that Sophie was having a special treat while I was gone, her own connection with Tracey independent of me.
After my girl passed, Tracey played the singing bowls for Sophie for the first time, to call to her soul and help her transition. Tracey was at her house, and I was at mine, but | could feel an intensity in the air and knew that Sophie was there with Tracey at that time. It was a deeply spiritual moment honoring Sophie, and one that I'll never forget.
If you are lucky enough to have an opportunity to have Tracey massage your fur baby, please do it. I can think of no greater gift for your pup.
K. Keith
My Borzoi have been receiving in home massage for many years. I started with a Borzoi who passed away several years ago. If she was eating and Tracey showed up for her massage she would drop the food out of her mouth and run to the massage bed. I am grateful Tracey could give her that enjoyment out of life towards the end.
One of my Borzoi is elderly. She sees Tracey pull up in front of the house and she races to the couch and lays down waiting impatiently for her massage. I attribute at least some of her longevity to how well she responds to her massages. Not only does it mentally relax her, but is also helps her joint circulation and her liver challenges. She has been dealing with liver challenges for three years now and her lab work has actually improved.
My boy also loves his massages. He injured himself as a teenager getting away from a swarm of bees. His massages minimize his aches and pains. He loves them as much as my girl. From my perspective, Tracey is compassionate and kind with the dogs. She is also very professional. My dogs will continue their massages until the end of their lives, which I hope is very long.
Liz Ciaccio
My husband and | would like to share our highest recommendation for Tracey Sciarra's physical therapy/massage services.
We have a 16-year-old, 75-pound Golden Doodle named Rudy. Rudy is able to walk, but is now unable to get up on his own. We have been taking him to an Animal Wellness Center for acupuncture and massage therapy since 2022.
When he started seeing Tracey, we began to see improvement in his range of motion and strength. Rudy sleeps while Tracey works on him and then he sleeps the rest of the day, which shows us how effective it is for him.
Tracey is so kind to Rudy. We believe that she has helped his quality of life and has improved and managed Rudy's pain. We also believe that her work is prolonging Rudy's life with us.
Bottom line, having Rudy see Tracey is the best thing that we could ever do for him.
Mary Ann and Alan Benson
I have had the pleasure of knowing Tracey Sciarra professionally for over 10 years. When I met her, she was single handedly running her own pet sitting and walking business. Some of her clients were my patients and I frequently recommended her for her professionalism, expertise, and compassionate nature.
I always received positive feedback from clients and they quickly become her "regulars" because of her reliability and warm personality. For a time, I got to benefit first hand when I hired her to care for 2 of my elderly dogs when I could not give them their regular mid-day walks. I could tell by their excitement and wagging tails how much they enjoyed their time with Tracey.
When she obtained her certification for massage and aromatherapy, I saw her in action as she performed her massages right in my facility with dimmed lights, blankets, and soothing music. The dogs would practically fall asleep as she massaged them and of course they moved better and felt better after their therapeutic sessions.
With her expertise, professionalism, and gentle demeanor, I am confident she will continue to impress any future clients. They and their pets will be in good hands with Tracey!
Deena Leong, VCM
Tracey Sciarra is truly one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. She is currently coming over to our practice for Canine Massage, and has consistently demonstrated a high level of dedication and strong work ethic. I have worked with her for many years in the veterinary profession, and she is always reliable and dedicated. Tracey has a tremendously positive attitude, and everyone enjoys her intelligence and sophistication — always a pleasure to be around. She has an excellent attention to detail, is very bonding with the clients, and always maintains top compassion for the pets. She is very much a team player, and always offers to help.
Tracey is highly successful in the veterinary world, and I am sure everyone she meets will share in my highest regard for her.
Dr. Kathy Wentworth, VMD
| am thrilled to write on behalf of Tracey Sciarra, recommending her for canine massage and acupressure. Tracey has worked at the Animal Wellness Center of OC just over two years, as our primary canine massage practitioner.
Tracey sees many of our repeat patients monthly. Our pet parents often rave they feel like they get as much relaxing benefit as their dog.
Tracey's patients often peek into the treatment room where she performs amazing massage. If they could talk, they would ask "When is my next appointment with Tracey?"
Overall, Tracey is a wonderful and passionate person who cares deeply for her patients and their human companion.
