Before we continue it is important to understand who regulates the main stream pet food industry.

Kinesiology helps your Beagle cope with allergies by balancing his or her immune system gently and naturally, and, where possible, by desensitizing him or her to the allergen. It can also identify the allergen if it is still unknown at the time of the session, as well as any support that may be necessary (homeopathy, flower essences, a change in diet, supplements, etc.). For your Beagle’s safety, your kinesiologist will always check for permission to desensitize – via muscle testing – before proceeding with the balance.
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A kinesiology balance will help your dog’s body heal itself, by releasing the physical, mental, genetic and emotional stresses that may underlie the immune system imbalance that has led to the allergy. Emotional stress? Yes, allergies may indeed have an emotional cause. If your dog ate, inhaled or came into contact with a given substance while under emotional stress, he or she may eventually develop an allergy to that substance. 

Missed part 1? Click here to read

There is plenty of information out there about feeding your dog a raw diet. Probably too much. It can get confusing, overwhelming and down right scary. 

This post is not about everything else that is out there about all the why's, why not's, how to's and when's but rather about putting a few points out there that you may not have thought to consider should you decide to go the raw route or things to think about if you're already feeding raw. Our points today:
1. Know your supplier
2. Know the ingredients
3. Know the process
4. Know the balance
​5. Know the legalities

This is mentioned as the first point because the other points trickle down from it. If you know and trust your supplier, their reps and staff and are able to build a relationship with them then the points following should not be an issue as the information will be provided to you without a problem. You need to feel free and comfortable to ask any of the following information and have the right to receive the answers without a problem. 

If you're looking at feeding raw or already feeding raw, depending on how much research you have done you will already know that there is raw and there is raw. You need to be aware where your supplier is sourcing their ingredients, so that you can rest assured they are of good quality. ​If  your supplier is hesitant about giving you the answers you should be hesitant about the quality of ingredients that could be going into your dog's food.

Everything you read and hear about the dangers of feeding raw boils down to the handling of ingredients when it comes to bacteria such as Salmonella. Most articles stress this from the owners side, to store and defrost hygienically and appropriately. As a responsible owner that chooses to feed raw you need to think about more than just taking care at home. Find out about the transport, handling and process of the product from your supplier as well. 

There is a lot of information out there about the importance of the ratios of feeding raw, however most owners blindly believe that the raw food they buy is perfectly balanced and is giving their dog everything it needs. They do not read the fine print that more often than not indicates that the food they are feeding is only complimentary and not fully balanced. Ask your supplier about the balance of their food, many come back with an answer stating the ratio of veg to protein but if your raw food manufacturer know what they're doing they will give you a break down of protein, vegetables, bone meal, organs and anything else that may be added to the food such as herbs and/or supplements. 

Check whether your raw food supplier is registered with the authoritive body in your country (South Africa: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). If they are then they have to adhere to strict specifications of hygiene, have regular random inspections and are legally registered to supply pet food.
If they are not registered by this body you have no guarantee that the quality of ingredients, hygiene standards or ethical processing standards are being met or even being followed at all. Their ingredients could come from anywhere. In some cases there have been reports of roadkill and even sick animals being used. 

Kinesiology is a gentle, safe and non-invasive technique. If there is pain, the kinesiologist will be very attentive to not cause your dog any discomfort when performing a correction involving physical contact. A detailed history taken at the beginning of the session will allow the kinesiologist to know which parts of the animal’s body should be touched with care or avoided.

Kinesiology is one of the most comprehensive and holistic forms of natural therapy. It recognizes the importance not only of the body, but also of the mind and the spirit when it comes to health.
It is a therapy modality that relies on muscle testing to identify imbalances in the structural, chemical, mental and emotional systems of your Beagle’s body, as well as the external factors that may be affecting your dog’s health and well-being.  Clearing these imbalances restores the flow of energy in the body, which boosts its innate ability to heal itself, lessen stress and frustration that could be creating behavioural issues or be causes of some injuries and illnesses.
Kinesiology therefore considers physical ailments and behavioural issues as the result of unresolved stress. Although Kinesiology does not treat named diseases (that is the prerogative of veterinarians), it highlights and corrects the underlying issues that have caused the ailment in the first place.
Whether your Beagle is suffering from allergies, ear problems, epilepsy, separation anxiety, Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), has torn a cruciate ligament, barks excessively or is actively destroying your shoes and the furniture, kinesiology will be a beneficial complementary therapy to veterinary care or to consultations with a behaviourist. 

To read part 2 about Kinesiology for your Beagle click here

Some shots of the garden being cleaned and cleared as well as a video of clearing being done in the area that will be the future outside training area. 

A very interesting and productive year for Beagle in Mind behind us with oh so many more exciting things planned for the year 2017 - 2018 ahead of us. 
For those who have not been following, here is a short summary of the biggest "milestones" for us:

2016
11 January
Received our Letter of Auhority for the registrationof the trust No. IT000090/2016(C)

April
Start of our relationship with Friends of the Dog

11 May
The trust is registered as a taxpayer (No. 1414568186)

June
First official Beagle in Mind educational event. 
​Know the Nose at The Dog Care Centre also with Annaret Meintjies (Agility)

25 August
NPO entered into the register in terms of the Non-Profit Organisation Act NPO 175-622

9 September
Notice from SARS in terms of trading as a Public Benefit Organisation PBO 9300533706

October
Start of our relationship with Human, Horse & Hound Kinesiology

2017
February
News that we can start work at the new premises for Beagle in Mind Education & Training   Centre
Confirmed with Friends of the Dog that the education centre will be a base  from which to  host and present their courses in Cape Town

March 2017
Work starts at the new location

Watch this space for updates :-)