HAVING recently qualified with the Natural Animal Centre as a Bach Flower Remedies animal counsellor, Elizabeth Carter is finding animals do respond to alternative therapies.

As a member of the Healing Collective based at Swinithwaite, Ms Carter has been using the remedies for more than 40 years. She became interested in working with animals when she treated a friend’s cat to good effect.

She explained: “The cat was very worried about going outside at night so I treated her for fear and lack of confidence. Before too long, the cat seemed happy to venture out.

“The difference to treating a human is that the cat was not going to tell me how it was feeling.

“The key is to try to see the situation from the animal’s point of view.”

She enrolled on the course and qualified as an animal counsellor.

A recent example of her work is with Toffee, her friend’s dog. The normally happy family pet became distressed after an incident when he slipped on the floor. After responding to treatment, he became calmer and was eventually back to his old self.

She said: “Animals may become upset at many things, such as fireworks, thunder or suffer from car sickness.

“The remedies work on an emotional level and as long as they are not physical symptoms they can be treated; otherwise you should go to a vet.”

MS Carter is listed on the International Register with the Bach Centre as a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP) and is interested to hear from anyone, including vets, who may be interested in using her skills. For more information, visit healingcollective.co.uk or call 08454 742383.