One of the many unique attributes of TTouch is that it can
be used on all species. The TTouches help to reduce stress, fear and timidity and promotes
calm, self-confidence and relaxation in both the animal and the handler. By offering an
alternative to dominant and forceful handling techniques, TTouch can be used on reptiles,
wildlife and exotic species to minimise the stress of human contact in rescue and
rehabilitation as well as giving handlers and owners valuable tools to help create a
unique partnership with the animal in their care whether it be a snake, a tortoise, an
owl, a parrot or a bearded dragon. TTouch techniques are invaluable for animals where
previous inappropriate handling or lack of socialisation has resulted in defensive
reactions towards people or other animals.
TTouch can enable an animal to move beyond its instinctive
responses. By using simple steps to help animals overcome habitual or learned responses to
human contact, the majority of animals respond quickly to this unique approach.
TTouch in Rehabilitation
Where contact with humans needs to be minimal and as stress
free as possible some of the simple body TTouches such as Ear Work can be used whilst the
animal is receiving veterinary care.
TTouch does not create an unwanted dependency on human
contact. In cases where human contact must be kept to a minimum to ensure a successful
rehabilitation, the TTouches and techniques are used to reduce stress and shock in the
sick or injured animal to enable appropriate human interaction to take place without
causing further distress.
TTouch Tools
A variety of tools can be used to initiate contact with the
animal.
Great emphasis is placed on approaching the animal with
care and respect to allow it to become accustomed to human contact in small stages. By
working with a step-by-step approach, TTouch allows an animal to think through each
process so that it can learn to trust not only the human but its own ability to
communicate. Simply forcing contact on an animal causes stress, encourages the animal to
'shut down' and can exacerbate the defensive cycle of behaviour.
Animals respond well to a variety of different textures.
Paintbrushes, wands (schooling sticks for horses) and feathers have been used successfully
in many situations to initiate contact with the animal. They enable the handler to
approach the animal without overcrowding and without using the hand which can cause alarm
and concern for the animal. Stroking and the circular TTouches can all be done with the
tools.
Care must be taken to ensure that each item used is clean
and is not used on other animals to prevent the spread of infection or disease. Cutting
pieces of cleaning cloth and attaching them onto garden canes offer a good alternative to
feathers. Cheap and easy to buy, the pieces of cloth can be thrown away after each
session. Scented cloths are NOT appropriate for obvious reasons.
Body Work
Once the animal has settled and can be touched all over
with the feather and/or paintbrush etc, TTouches can be done with the back of the hand or
the back of the finger. There is less heat in the back of the hand and this approach is
therefore less threatening to the animal. In the case of birds, the risk of removing oil
from the feathers is reduced when using the back of the hand. Using the back of the hand
or the back of the finger also enables the handler to develop a lighter touch as it
reduces the chances of prodding or pushing down on the animal. TTouches with the finger
tips and/or flat hand can then be used.
TTouch is not just confined to the animal that is shy of
contact. It has far-reaching health benefits and can be used alone or with appropriate
veterinary care to overcome a variety of problems. Many veterinarians, veterinary nurses,
zoo keepers, animal handlers, carers and trainers use TTouch to enhance an overall sense
of health and wellbeing in the animals in their care.
It may take several sessions to reach this stage. Short
sessions over a period of time are preferable to one long session and it is often in the
time out period that the animal makes the most change. There can be nothing more rewarding
than helping an animal over come its fear of human contact. With TTouch the impossible can
become possible.
