What is zoopharmacognosy?

You may have observed your dog eating grasses or other plants, soil or charcoal from an old firepit. You may have seen them sniffing a certain aromatic plant or rolling in it, or even in clay. These are all examples of zoopharmacognosy, or self-selection, in action. Zoopharmacognosy is an innate animal behaviour – animals in the wild practice self-selection to prevent & remedy disease & your dog is no different.

Although your dog is hardwired to practice this behaviour, it’s much harder for them to access the resources they need to efficiently self-medicate when compared to their cousins in the wild. But zoopharmacognosy can be replicated in the home, by learning the Applied Herbal Choices method for practicing with your dog.

Applied Herbal Choices (zoopharmacognosy) is a holistic method for supporting the health & wellbeing of animals through botanical self-selection. It is non-prescriptive & non-diagnostic & is not a replacement for veterinary care.

What happens in a zoopharmacognosy session?

As an Applied Herbal Choices consultant I teach you how to safely offer a variety of botanical extracts for your dog to select from, following a strict set of rules & guidelines. You will be shown how to offer:

• hydrosols/aromatic waters
• essential oils
• infusions or macerations (herb teas)
• dried or fresh herbs
• nutritive powders

During a session you may observe your dog engaging with the offerings in a number of ways such as inhaling, licking, eating or requesting topical application. You will learn how to interpret & respond to these responses. You will also learn how to observe & understand some of the more subtle physical responses your dog may have.

Following a session you will be left with a selection of your dog’s choices for further practice.

During an Applied Herbal choices session you will be required to remain present without distractions throughout & you will be expected to engage fully in the session in order to learn the method & observe the responses. Appointments can be in person or online.

Applied Herbal Choices sessions are also available for horses & for cats.

Why Applied Herbal Choices for dogs?

Learning zoopharmacognosy & giving your dog a more varied choice for self-selection is something applicable to all dog carers, regardless of the animal’s stage in life. By offering a variety of botanicals we can support all physiological systems, restoring homeostasis in the body for continued good health, or at times when the balance may have tipped. Typically, zoopharmacognosy sessions are a popular choice for :

• anxious dogs
• rescues
• dogs in shelter
• dogs who have had traumatic experiences
• dogs with chronic health issues
• hidden problems masked by behavioural issues
• recurring or unresolved issues with no clear diagnosis
• dogs recovering from illness or surgery
• enrichment for dogs on crate rest
• general health maintenance & support

What are the benefits of learning zoopharmacognosy?

Learning how to use Applied Herbal Choices for self-selection with your dog is a great way of supporting their overall physical & emotional health & wellbeing. Dog carers often report that practicing zoopharmacognosy deepens the bond they share with their animal.

Benefits of Applied Herbal Choices for anxious dogs

Practicing Applied Herbal Choices with anxious or nervous dogs, especially those with a trauma history, can be particularly rewarding. Dogs who have become overwhelmed by adverse experiences typically will be either reactive, avoidant or shutdown & may struggle to learn while their nervous system is dysregulated.

Changes that caregivers often report are a subtle yet visible shift in the animals’s demeanour & perceptions of the world around them, whereby they become more receptive to learning, potentially boosting the success of any behaviour modification programme.

Selection by inhalation of essential oils with anxiolytic properties can aid in nervous system regulation, allowing the dog to begin to come out of survival mode. Furthermore, as the olfactory system is directly linked to the limbic system, the emotional centre of the brain, certain aromas have the capacity to evoke specific memories. If the animal is well supported by a variety of anxiolytic scents to bring the nervous system into regulation, they will be in a safe space to process negative memories & begin the process of releasing trauma stuck in the body.

Offering fresh or dried herbs & nutritive powders for self selection gives the anxious dog opportunities for whole body support in their recovery, restoring balance to all body systems affected by prolonged exposure to stress. This includes:

• digestion
• reproduction
• gut flora balance
• musculoskeletal repair
• detoxification
• immunity
• hormone balance
• metabolism
• blood sugar balance