ROCCO / Mixed breed rescue dog

Rocco came to his session with a history written in his behaviours - a fear of people who look a certain way, a noise sensitivity, a propensity to protect himself in ways that those who loved him were working hard to understand and redirect.

He spent the first part of his session in a sustained nutritive phase - spirulina, rosehips, wheatgrass, hemp seed oil - snacking on top shelf ‘boosters’. Then he worked with Orange Blossom Water, St John's Wort, German Chamomile, and finally Rose and Angelica Root.

When Rose was offered, Rocco inhaled deeply, got up, and ran from the room. He returned within moments and came to rest beside the remedies, placing his nose gently on Vonne's hand. He took three long, deliberate breaths and then slept.

That is what release looks like.

When the session ended, Rocco chose to remain lying beside the boxes of remedies. His guardian L* noticed, in the days that followed, that he had begun seeking her company more - not anxiously, just quietly, companionably. Choosing to be near. More deeply bonded.

"It felt like I was diving into Rocco's world. It felt very bonding to get to know different parts of him." - L*, Rocco's guardian

"Individualised, animal-led, insightful." - L*'s three words for the session