Positive PACT & Galen's Guiding Principles
Julia Robertson founder of Galen Myotherapy© has been tirelessly working on giving animals choice in their treatment and is one the true foundations of Galen Myotherapy©. A Galen Myotherapist will use total respect and sympathy when handling and treating the dogs. This is because we know that the dog is usually in pain and we try to empathise with this. Galen and their determination to ensure we respect the dog and have sympathy meant that a full set of protocols was developed which been adopted throughout the veterinary world and these protocols form ‘Positive PACT’ and is built on complex scientific research or how dogs interact with humans, the dogs complicated emotions and how these will drive their behaviours.
As a practicing Galen Myotherapist I follow Galen Myotherapy© Guiding Principles. These Guiding Principles are what differentiates a Galen Myotherapist from other practicing canine massage practitioners. These Guiding Priniciples will help you decide whether or not the Galen Myotherapy© is suitable for your and your dog. The Guiding Principles are:
Choice Led Treatment:
Dogs that I treat are treated on the floor or on a low level bed where they are
comfortable and are given the choice to either have the treatment or not. I will not chase the dog around the room and I will not be restrain the dog in any way to allow treatment to begin or continue. By using this Guiding Principle I can quickly build a trusting relationship with the dog and the dog is able to communicate freely with me. Therefore the approach I take with the dog is forming a relationship with the dog to enable us to deliver treatment through the dog’s choice.
Owner Empowerment:
When a dog is struggling with pain or due to anxiety the owner will feel they want to become involved within the treatment. Therefore I will include you in the dog’s treatment plan showing you techniques that are safe to use along with exercise plans and adaptive environmental changes.
High Level of Specialist Knowledge & Training:
I along with other Galen Myotherapists are trained and qualified to an exceptionally high level and this training in anatomy and physiological is then directed in the functional application. I understand your dog’s anatomy in terms of movement, how the body works and how stress and pain can be reflected through behaviour. This knowledge helps me apply dog-centric and choice led treatments.
Behavioural Understanding:
Galen Myotherapy© was the first therapy organisation to discuss a direct connection between muscle pain and specific behaviour patterns. I will guide you in understanding how muscle pain can be demonstrated and reflected your dog’s behaviour. This understanding and knowledge is invaluable when assessing and detecting changes and being able to describe them to you. I also have an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour which also means I have a greater depth of knowledge in this understanding.
Sharing of Knowledge:
The welfare of dog’s is the primary concern of Galen Myotherapy© and this takes precedence over all other considerations. We believe that sharing knowledge through training, workshops, symposiums and events all over the world. Galen Myotherapy© and the Myotherapists truly believe that what we do does improve the health and wellbeing of dogs and therefore we like to share this in the most appropriate and far reaching ways.
Continual Development:
The Galen Myotherapy Diploma has changed radically through the years due to new developments and further understanding in behaviour and the physical changes of dogs that have muscular problems and issues. Therefore, I ensure I keep up to date with the latest developments, evidence and findings and will modify treatments and treatment plans to incorporate this. As with all sciences there will always be new things to learn and discover and it is utterly important for animal welfare that I am at the forefront of this current understanding.
