Woman creates aromatherapy blend to ease anxiety in dogs

The sound of a doorbell is enough to send some family dogs into a tizzy.

A West Dundee businesswoman has developed an aromatherapeutic blend she says is designed just for canine calming.

“The symptoms of stress that dogs tend to show are things like scratching, drooling, chewing, and panting,” said Vickie Rae Thorne, who’s been working with aromatherapy for almost 20 years. “The way canine calm works is it can take the edge off.”

It was a car accident that first led Thorne to seek pain relief. She found aromatherapy beneficial. Then, 12 years ago, when a dog kennel owner approached her about ideas to help calm the canines, Thorne considered ideas. She also founded Earth Heart, Inc., which sells aromatherapeutic products.

“Since dogs are scent oriented, I thought it would work,” said Thorne. “With aromatherapy, there is a physiological effect, if it is placed on the skin, or inhaled.”

Thorne researched the stress, separation anxiety, and related behaviors of dogs, but emphasizes she does not consider herself an expert in canine behavior. She’s more interested in offering her experience and knowledge with aromatherapy and its application as a suitable method of soothing dogs.

“I think working with positive rewards and things that are gentle are effective,” she said. “I came up with a blend that would help dogs calm down but not go to sleep.”

In addition to the calming effects of her formula, its pleasant scent also masks animal odors at places like the kennel, she explained. Applications are best applied for the first time during a non-stressful period, Thorne recommends. That way, the animal won’t associate the scent with a negative experience.

But it’s not the end-all to other methods of making a difference for dogs under stress, she added.

Consideration of dogs’ instincts also can elp owners determine their own actions.

“People need to remember that dogs work,” Thorne said. “They have jobs. When they bark at the door, they are letting you know that something is out there and they want to let you know they are protecting you.”

source:Chicago Sun Times

Dear God

TO: GOD

FROM: THE DOG

Dear God: Is it on purpose our names are the same, only reversed?

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?

Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?

Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a Dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?

Dear God: If a Dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad Dog?

Dear God: We Dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, ele ctromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog.

1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.

2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.

3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.

4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.

5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.

7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.

8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table .

9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.

10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.

11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.

12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

P.S. And please God, be extra good to the humans who adopted me and saved my life.

'Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened'

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