Tellington TTouch Training
The Tellington TTouch is a gentle, positive teaching method for animals that incorporates body work, and ground exercises where appropriate, to help improve co-ordination, balance and athletic ability. It also deepens the bond and improves communication between the animal and its owner/caregiver.
TTOUCH helps increase levels of self confidence, self awareness and self-control.
Developed by Linda Tellinton-Jones, TTEAM and TTOUCH is used widely in many countries across the world by shelter assistants, dog trainers, zoos, veterinarians, therapists and pet owners.
With its roots in the Feldenkrais method of Awareness Through Movement, TTOUCH techniques gently guide the animal through non-habitual exercises that can alter existing habitual patterns. As posture affects behavior, many owners and caregivers note that unwanted behavior diminishes as the animals posture improves. TTOUCH teaches the animal to act, rather than simply react.
TTOUCH blends well with many other modalities and training methods. It is not necessary to adopt the whole TTOUCH philosophy in order to make a difference to an animal. Learning just a few of the simple body TTouches and movements can help make a difference to an animal’s life.
TTOUCH is not a replacement for appropriate veterinary attention and should never be used as such. If you suspect that the animal in your care has a physical problem please consult your veterinarian.
Animals Helped with TTouch
Domestic and Companion Animals
The Tellinton TTouch has been successfully used on a wide variety of animals. Animals that have benefitted from TTOUCH include:
Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Rats, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Caged Rodents, Reptiles, Birds, Llamas, Goats, Ferrets, Cows, Pigs, Sheep and Alpacas
Captive Animals
Wildlife and zoo animals have also been helped with TTOUCH techniques. TTOUCH does not make the animal dependent on humans. It helps to minimize stress in captive animals and can speed the recovery and rehabilitation process. TTouch has been used to help a variety of non-domestic animals including:
Primates, Raptors, Swans, Elephants, Coyotes, Wolves, Whales and Large cats
Horses
TTEAM incorporates riding exercises along with body work and ground exercises to improve posture, behavior and performance. For more information TTouch techniques and programs for horses please contact TTouch.com
Rescued Animals
TTOUCH offers ways to help assess, train and reduce tension in animals in rescue shelters.
A Veterinarian Defines TTOUCH/TTEAM
By Tom Beckett, DVM
Tom Becket, DVM has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years at his Camino Viego Equine Clinic in Austin, Texas. His assistant, Marnie Reeder is a TTEAM Practitioner. Both are actively involved with the Humane Society of Austin-Travis County in Texas and treat animals for the Humane Society in a veterinary capacity.
TTOUCH reduces the physical and mental stress created by human contact, handling, environment and other sub-optimum environmental conditions. It reduces chronic pain and poor functioning, which also cause stress.
Injuries often leave a holding pattern of pain and impaired function in the injured area. This pattern persists below awareness long after healing is complete, blocks aware use of that body part and thereby creates stress on distant areas, which must overwork to compensate. Such chronic distress effects general health, ‘mood’ and behavior.
When pain or impaired nerve or muscle function disable a part of the body, TTOUCH induces the animal to activate any available alternate neuromuscular pathways to restore function. The awareness it brings often relieves associated pain.
TTEAM uses TTOUCH to bring these patterns to awareness and exercises, which guide the organization of more healthful, balanced movement.
With continued exposure to TTEAM, animals develop more ability to operate in a calm, focused mode. Responses to new situations become less automatic and more considered. The animal learns to learn. This along with more body awareness and awareness of environment yields more adaptability, more appropriate action.
The list of members on the Veterinary Advisory Board for TTEAM International is available from ttouch.com
The Tellington TTouch is a valuable tool that can help animals overcome a variety of problems including:
Dislike of contact
Fear of the vet Grooming issues
Handling issues Reluctance to be petted
Hand shyness Defensiveness due to injury
Noise sensitivity
Fear of thunder Fear of fireworks
Gun shyness Reaction to household noise
Lack of balance
Leash pulling Stumbling
Training difficulties Poor performance
Stiffness Gait irregularities
Hyperactivity/Restlesness
Jumping up Excessive Chewing
Excitability Spinning
Pacing Excessive panting
Inability to settle Lack of concentration
Nervousness
Fear biting Timidity
Lack of confidence Reluctance to socialize
Jealousy Separation anxiety
Travelling Issues
Excitability Excessive vocalization
Vomiting Excessive salivation
Restlessness Reluctance to get in the car
Reactivity
To people To dogs
To cats To other animals
LEARN MORE ABOUT TTOUCH
Anyone who is involved with animals can benefit from learning TTOUCH techniques. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal trainers, shelter staff, animal lovers, physiotherapists, pet owners, dog and cat groomers and behavior counselors have all attended workshops and added TTouch tools to the skills already in place. Many go on to become trained TTOUCH Practitioners.
Practitioner Training Program
The Practitioner Training Program for Companion Animals runs over the course of two years. Fully qualified Practitioners listed on the ttouch.com website have attended a minimum of six week-long trainings and have completed the necessary requirements to be listed as a Practitioner Level I or above.
To learn more about this unique method you can contact:
The main TTouch office:
1-800-854-8326
NOW AVAILABLE AT AAH:
CONTACT Melissa Hardy in Laramie, Wyoming:
1-307-745-7341(Alpine Animal Hospital)
Private consultations, group classes, workshops are available.
The Touch That Teaches