 |
|
|
We're Not Harping When We Say That This Therapy May Be the Best Yet!
by Robert S. and Susan J. Goldstein
Published in Love of Animals , July/August 2002
It has long been our personal observation that animals appreciate and respond to beautiful music. Macmillan, our 13-year-old Sun Conure parrot,
and his buddy, Gershwin, a nine-year-old zebra finch we hand-raised from infancy, spend their days tuned in to classical music while we are away
at work. (We consider music to be a bit of a replacement for our presence, and this gives us great comfort.)
Over the years, we've watched Macmillan bebop, sway and head bob to those tunes that strike a chord with him. Even our boxers, Jack and Vivienne, seem to
come alive as the day faithfully begins with music around the Goldstein camp.
Music is a "Nutrient," Too
Over and above the aspects of pure enjoyment, we've long suspected that music as part of a daily diet offers many other health benefits, having a
positive influence on the immune system in general. We've known that beautiful music is not only uplifting but acts as a natural tranquilizer
during times of stress. In addition, it serves as a companion during times of solitude. Bu we didn't make the connection that music can also be
therapeutic and healing until recently when we came across the work of Susan Raimond, a harpist and pioneer in the field of harp therapy for animals.
Raimond, of Mt. Laguna, Calif., coined the term cytocymatics, which indicates how sound - specifically vibrations of harp music - affects cells.
The harp is a vibrational instrument boasting 44,000 years of documented use as a healing modality. It's been touted by some as the most powerful form of medication
and is at the forefront of a great deal of clinical research in an attempt to prove its healing benefits in the modern age.
Raimond is the founder of Pet Pause, a company that produces music to calm and heal animals and people. Sue began researching harp therapy by working with mobile
groomers. She'd play her compact disc of her own music while dogs, cats and horses were being groomed and showed that her idea could effectively cam animals
down during the process.
She then sought a medical environment at the Pine Valley Veterinary Clinic, using harp music to soothe patients awaiting sedation before surgery. The
vibrations and sound waves produced a therapeutic response of lowered heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and reduced agitation on those veterinary
patients.
Clearly, the harp music was affecting the autonomic nervous system, which operates below the level of consciousness to protect animals and people during
stressful situations, at a cellular level. Her therapy purports to increase oxygenation of the tissues, improve digestion, lower respiration rates and ease birthing.
Raimond is a sought-after speaker by such prestigious organizations as Oxford University and the US Army Medical Institute for Infectious Diseases and lectured at the Tufts
Veterinary Expo n Boston in September. She gave three workshops on pain and distress in animals at the Scientists' Center for Animal Welfare International Conference
in Baltimore in May. She has been filmed by Disney and worked with the California Wolf Preserve on 20 undomesticated wolves to reduce their stress and boredom.
In addition to dogs, cats, wolves and birds, she's worked her harp magic on gorillas, horses, donkeys, cows, rabbits, monkeys, guinea pigs, fish, snakes, frogs, lizards, zebras, giraffes,
rats, raccoons, opossums, goats, sheep and dolphins.
Soothe Your Friends With Harp Sounds
If your dog or cat is feeling under the weather or is dealing with a stressful condition resulting from age, disease or an emotional problem such as separation
anxiety, we suggest that you consider adding Sue's harp music to your collection. "Just take a portable boom box, pop a tape or CD in, and in three minutes you'll begin
to see a change. In 10 to 20 minutes, the animal comes into a resting state," said Sue.
Some of the most popular tapes include Wait for the Sunset,Treasures of the Heart,Solstice Millennium and Noah's Harp, Vol. I, Tranquility and Vol. II,
Surrender.
Together, we can join Susan in a very worthwhile experiment, which can only benefit both you and your loved one. To order the tapes and/or CDs, or for more information, contact
Alex Preschlack at the Healing Center for Animals at 203/222-0260, or contact Pet Pause at 619/473-0241. You can also send an email to petpause2000@
yahoo.com
|
|
SUSAN RAIMOND
Author, Lecturer, and Harpist
Order Now!!
CD's, Video and books |
|
