Getting the point
Tucker rolled over onto his golden-haired side and closed his brown eyes.
“Since he's getting older, it'll be good for him,” said Tucker's owner Debbie Neigh, a member of the Butler Dog Training Association, who carefully placed a finger on his knee.
Neigh said she hoped the acupressure skills she learned would alleviate the arthritis in Tucker, a 13-year-old golden retriever and springer spaniel mix who has been a therapy dog since he was a year old.
Sixteen dogs and their handlers practiced pet acupressure Sunday at the Butler Dog Training Association with Dr. Doug Knueven, the owner and medical director of Beaver Animal Clinic.
The association stages workshops and sessions three to four times a year to offer its members and the community access to educational opportunities, said Nancy Kieffer, director of training.
West Sunbury resident Carey Wallace applied pressure to Jax, a 2-year-old Siberian Husky, as he rolled onto his back and kicked up one leg.
The technique is a natural alternative for keeping her pet healthy, Wallace said about why she attended the session.
Acupressure was this month's topic because it is a holistic option to help your pet, Kieffer said.
Acupressure is the same as acupuncture only a person uses their finger instead of a needle, Knueven said.
Participants also learned the background, history and basic principles of Chinese medicine, scientific theories about the effects of acupressure, how to locate potent points with one-on-one training on a live animal, the functions of these points and how to use acupressure to help pets overcome common problems.
One of the most famous pressure points is designated large intestine 4, which is located between the thumb and pointer finger on a human, Knueven said. Dogs have a dewclaw, the equivalent to a human's thumbs, which is where this point is located.
“This is the master point for the face, so if you have a sinus headache, this would be a good point,” Knueven said. “If you know where to locate it on us, you know where to locate it on them.”Acupressure channels universal energy for healing and is a combination of art and science, he said.“It's not the pressure, but kind of the energy you bring to the point,” Knueven said. “I think you can use the same concept using your finger tip. It's a matter of touching the point and bringing your awareness to the tip of your finger.”For older dogs, the pressure point called gallbladder 34, which is located on the rear leg in front of and below the head of the fibula, can help with arthritis, said Knueven. Additionally, it can help with hemiplegia, knee problems, vomiting and liver problems.Another point is stomach 36, which is located on the rear leg to the outside of the tibial crest, the bony ridge below the knee.“The Chinese consider this to be a longevity point,” Knueven said. This point helps with abdominal pain, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, epilepsy, leg edema or pain and low energy.A combination of points is used to get the effect, he said.The benefits of acupressure include alleviating pain, improving function, stimulating the immune system and any organ condition, Knueven said.“Not a cure everything, but it can help,” he said.Another participant was Nikki Rock who attended the session with her 4-year-old rough collie James, who has kidney failure.“If it helps with his back end issues,” Rock said she was willing to give the option a try. “I like to learn new things.”
Earned his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1987.Earned certification in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and veterinary chiropractic.Has practiced integrative veterinary medicine since 1995.Wrote two books about holistic medicine: “Stand by Me: A Holistic Handbook for Animals, Their People and the Lives They Share Together” and “The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog.”Speaks nationally and internationally and was recognized as the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association “Holistic Teacher of the Year” in 2018.
