Animal Rolfing
Why Rolf Animals?
Rolfing has become ever more popular for animals in the last several years, as pet owners who’ve been Rolfed successfully bring their ailing animals back for treatment.
Any animal that is suffering from stiffness, pain, gait problems and other movement limitations that results from injury, disease, surgery, trauma, abuse, old age, or even behavior problems can benefit from a Rolfing session. Rolfing can also be done as a preventive measure when animals are young to lay the foundation for a long and healthy life, and as a regular part of training to give performance animals (show and racehorses, show dogs and working, hunting and agility dogs) an extra edge
About Briah’s Book
In “Animal Healing, The Power of Rolfing Structural Integration,” Briah Anson presents over 3 dozen profiles and 170 photographs of 56 different animals as they experience the Rolfing process. Any animal suffering from movement limitations resulting from injury, disease, surgical trauma and even old age, experience relief and recovery. Briah is a pioneer who has taken this transformative bodywork for humans and applied it to animals with amazing results.
ANIMAL HEALING: The Power of Rolfing
In Animal Healing, The Power of Rolfing® Structural Integration, Briah Anson presents over three dozen profiles of 56 different animals both domestic and wild going through the Rolfing process. Briah makes a convincing case that Rolfing Structural Integration (SI) can produce profound lifestyle benefits to animals from birds to horses.
Any animal suffering from movement limitations resulting from injury, disease, surgical trauma and even old age experience relief and recovery. Rolfing SI also contributes to the rehabilitation from secondary or tertiary responses to trauma—muscles spasms, soreness and compensatory patterns that linger long after the wounds heal. Examples of the profiled animals include cats, dogs, horses, birds, llamas, eagles, raptors, a cougar, and an endearing Moose named Mike and more.
Each chapter includes a description of the animal from the owner’s perspective as well as a description of Briah’s analysis. Photos accompany the stories so readers can really see the animal’s reaction to the Rolfing SI treatment—deep relaxation. Most chapters include before and after photos, which are powerful evidence for the work.
The book is organized around types of recovery. One chapter covers animals that have experienced rehabilitation from issues derived from birth defects, acute spinal injuries, and hip dysfunctions. The chapter on rescue animals examines the dogs, cats and even guinea pigs that have moved from impatience and anxiety to ease and calm after a few Rolfing sessions. Another chapter tackles animals as athletes as the Rolfing experience unleashes their competitive potential. Many of these injuries and traumas could not be resolved using conventional veterinarian medicine.
From puppies to geriatric canines, bigger-than-life cats and a cougar, the affects that Rolfing SI has on these animals is life-changing and significant.
Reviews
“If you enjoy animal stories as much as I do, you’re in for a great read. . . . You’ll witness the health and happiness of these animals being transformed through the hands and heart of Briah Anson and her passionate application of Rolfing® Structural Integration. . . . It’s an incredible menagerie: cats, dogs, and horses, as well as guinea pigs, llamas, eagles, an owl, a rooster, a cougar, and, per- haps most intriguing of all, an up close and personal encounter with a wild moose named Mike.”
— Paul Schurke, Outdoor adventurer and educator; coauthor with Will Steger of North to the Pole and author of Bering Bridge: The Soviet-American Expedition from Siberia to Alaska; Director, Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge and Arctic Adventures, Ely, Minnesota
“Briah Anson shares her experience, insight, and her love for all creatures in these amazing stories of her quest for healing through Rolfing. . . . After each session, the ravages of [the eagles’] permanent disabilities seemed to have less influence on their performance. . . . The Rolfing sessions improved their overall disposition and health. . . . I’m grateful to Briah for her extensive dedication and the volunteering of her time and talent given to the eagles at the National Eagle Center.”
— Marybeth Garrigan, Executive Director of Eagle Watch, Inc. (2000–05); Program and Development Director, National Eagle Center (2005–09), Wabasha, Minnesota
“As Briah Anson’s collection of nonhuman patients clearly demonstrate, Rolfing® Structural Integration isn’t just for people, though a person’s appreciation of its benefits for themselves often leads to an interest in trying this form of body work on their animals. . . . Each animal’s emotional and locomotor response to Rolfing described in this book strongly suggests a true and sustained benefit.”
— Julia H. Wilson, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine; Associate Professor, Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
“Rolfing Structural Integration, a unique myofascial approach to assist the body in healing numerous musculoskeletal and other issues, is being introduced to the animal world through Briah Anson’s fascinating book, Animal Healing. Through case reports, anecdotes, and stories from her pioneering practice applying Rolfing SI to animals, Briah offers convincing evidence that the benefits of this work may be applicable to animals as well. This book is an excellent introduction to Rolfing Structural Integration and its potential application to nonhuman animals.”
— Allen M. Schoen, MS, DVM, PhD. (hon.); author, Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way We Live and editor, Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine
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Maggie's Story
Meet Maggie, a yellow Labrador. When she was a puppy, she was diagnosed with such severe case of hip dysplasia (unusual in a young dog), its owners feared that they would have to put her down. Maggie was in a lot of pain and was having trouble going up and down the stairs in her home. But after three Rolfing sessions, Maggie appeared to be doing much better. “I looked at the x-rays of the dog and it did have very severe dysplasia for such an early age,” remembers Sheila Dodson, a veterinarian at the Big Sky Animal Medical Center in Great Falls, MT. “But when I saw the dog at three years old move up and down the stairs and walk around the house, I would have never been able to tell that she had ever had a problem. I would not have been able to tell that this dog had hip dysplasia. If I didn’t know better, I would have said that those x-rays did not belong to this dog.” Maggie did not need to be put down, and instead went on to live a very long, full, happy life.
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Tita's Story
At 10 weeks old, Tita fell off of a 10-foot wall and landed on her back. From that point, she began growing crooked and displaying nervous and apprehensive behavior. Quick movements scared her and she would become aggressive. Her body did not have much flexibility and she was stiff and awkward when she moved. When Tita was 4 months old I gave her three Rolfing sessions. According to her owner, after receiving Rolfing, “The new Tita was like a little antelope, jumping off the ground as if she had springs in her feet. Her movement was filled with excitement and joy. Thanks to Rolfing, Tita grew into a healthy, well-aligned and confident dog.”
Cusco, Peru
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Major's Story
The weekend of February Valentines, Yvonne and I went to Napa Valley leaving our two Samoyeds in the capable and lovable hands of Tim Vankempen, my roommate. Upon our return, Major had somehow developed a condition whereby he could no longer climb stairs and moved as though his back had slipped out and he was no longer connected to his rear legs. It looked like he had a sagging back with a huge, bony pelvis, and his tail hung down. I was distraught at the thought that he being 16 years old was on his last legs and ready for the pound. I showed up for my morning Rolfing session and I asked Briah if she could help Major out. She agreed to work on him, so in he came and she proceeded to work on his back and legs for about one hour. It was amazing he allowed her to work with him while I held his head and I was amazed that he barely moved for an hour. This for Major is a miracle and then at the end he stood up with his tail up and moved out like he had just rested and repaired. I brought him back for one more session and I really know now that without Briah’s attention he would not be with me today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and may God continue to bless your hands.
Rolfing Prelude
Prelude was a hunter-jumper, dressage horse that Briah Rolfed. She was featured on Channel 5 in Kansas City, Missouri for her work Rolfing horses.
