Tellington TTouch® Training: Search Results

Home > Search Results

Search Results

Your search for Learn More returned 16 categories and 71 items

Items

About Us > Our Teachers > Meet Our Instructors

Marie Miller

While assisting Linda Tellington-Jones at the UK Advanced Practitioner Training, Marie received the wonderful surprise of being awarded certification as TellingtonTTouch^® Companion Animal Instructor. She was introduced to the Tellington Method by reading Linda's book and trained on the first companion animal practitioner clinics in the UK. Since graduating Marie has assisted at many companion animal practitioner training clinics, teaches one and two day TTouch^® workshops and demonstrates at many events. Sarah Fisher and Marie frequently work together teaching courses and workshops and have co-authored two books about dog training and problem solving, combining TTouch^® and Clicker Training.

Marie has had a life long love of animals and spent many happy hours growing up with animals from the local farm and ponies from the local stables. Dogs and cats became fully part of her life when she left home and was able to have pets of her own. She began to study companion animal behaviour and in 1980, set up Paws'n'Learn, a training and rehabilitation practice which uses force free methods. Marie is passionate about puppy training and the prevention of behaviour problems. She runs weekly classes, works 1-2-1 with companion animals and teaches workshops. Marie has been the resident trainer and behaviour advisor at Hollycroft Veterinary Centre since 1981.

To learn more about Marie, visit her website, www.pawsnlearn.com.

Lindy Dekker

Lindy started riding at age 10 in Stellenbosch near Cape Town, South Africa. The majority of the horses were rescued racehorses with problems. She was always surrounded by animals and her parental home was never without at least two dogs and two cats. She was given a rescued donkey in 1967 and had him for four years.

After studying Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics at university, Lindy moved with her husband Rick to Johannesburg in 1979. There she changed careers to become a computer programmer, and she is still involved in doing support for a consulting company.

In 1987 Lindy reached her dream and acquired her first horse 'Babyshoes' (ex-racehorse TB gelding) who stayed with her for nearly 21 years. Lindy has competed in dressage to Elementary level. In March, 1999 she attended a Natural Healing course for animals that included Reiki and Aromatherapy as well as an introduction to the Tellington TTouch^® Method. She started her own therapy business in 2000. In January, 2001 she attended her first five-day TTouch^® workshop for horses and hasn't looked back. She has been organizing the Tellington TTouch^® practitioner training clinics in Johannesburg since 2002.

Now Lindy is a Tellington TTouch^® Instructor for Companion Animals and for Horses. Besides organizing the practitioner training clinics for the Tellington TTouch^® Method for horses, she gives clinics as well as private consultations for both horses and companion animals while traveling to all sorts of interesting places!

To learn more about Lindy, visit her website, www.lindydekker.com.

About Us > Research & Studies

Horse and Human 1984 Mind Mirror Study

Study of TTouch^® with Anna Wise
Boulder Institute of Biofeedback, Boulder, Colorado

During this study the Mind Mirror showed activation of all four brain waves in both hemispheres, illustrating how TTouch activates both the logical and intuitive parts of the brain.

News from Linda

(Reprinted from TTEAM Connections Newsletter, February 2003)

If you've done much work with TTEAM and TTouch^® you have most likely discovered the benefits for animals - not only for horses, but also for dogs, cats, small critters, zoo animals and wildlife rescue. You may have discovered improvements in health and well-being, a reduction in stress, and often, miraculous changes in behavior. And in horses and dogs you will have been rewarded by enhanced performance and a more flexible, intelligent four-legged friend. Many, who work with TTouch^®, report an unexpected deepening of relationship that gives you the feeling you are Dr. Doolittle with the ability to communicate without words, and understand each other in a way you didn't think possible.

However, what is often unrecognized or unspoken, are the effects on the mensch. That means you! In this work there is often experienced a transformation in the people using TTEAM and TTouch^® as well as their animals. We become more flexible and balanced mentally and physically, as well as emotionally. Many adults report a sense feeling of being smarter and more confident.

In classes of school children practicing TTouch^® on their companion animals, teachers and parents describe similar changes - improved ability to focus and concentrate (just like horses and dogs) with heightened confidence and more tolerance. Children with a tendency to lose their tempers or bully other kids increase self-control and another level of understanding that allows them to adapt and be less reactive. I believe TTouch^® teaches children what I call "compassionate empowerment®".

What causes these transformational changes in the two-leggeds? I believe the reasons are two-fold.

1 . TTEAM and TTouch^® activate both hemispheres of the brain-resulting in Whole Brain learning. The left side of the brain is commonly referred to as the logical side, and the right side is thought of as the creative or intuitive side, although in reality that is not so. The brain is actually an integrated whole. The left hemisphere is more linear and the right is oriented to spatial issues and understanding the big picture.

You wonder how TTouch^® affects the whole brain?

Each time you push the skin in a circle imagining the face of a clock, the intuitive side is engaged, because imagining or visualizing as well as the actual movement have to do with the intuitive. When you "see in your mind's eye" the numbers on the clock, the logical is activated because numbers have to do with logical thinking.

When you're practicing leading exercises imagining the "Elegant Elephant's" trunk as the end of your "wand" or whip, the movement itself, and holding the wand and chain in both hands, affects the right brain. And the logical way of holding the wand and chain in two hands awakens the thinking side.

2. The second indication of this whole brain effect comes from the two studies I did in the summers of 1987 and 1988 in cooperation with Anna Wise of the Boulder Institute of Biofeedback. Working with a "Mind Mirror" developed by her mentor, British psycho biologist and biophysicist Maxwell Cade, produced some fascinating results. The Mind Mirror is an EEG that differs from the traditional EEG in that it used spectral analysis to simultaneously measure eleven different frequencies in each hemisphere of the brain. Unlike the normal EEG it has the unique ability to measure beta, alpha, theta and delta brain waves in both hemispheres of the brain.

We measured over a dozen students to determine their brain wave activity while being TTouched, rubbed, petted and massaged. Surprising was the fact that consistently, whether our students were being TTouched or TTouching a horse or a person, there was an activation of all four brain waves -beta, alpha, theta and delta - in both sides of the brain. When the person being measured was petted, stroked, rubbed or massaged, the relaxing alpha brainwave pattern was present, but never beta - the problem solving potential. Only with the circular touches were the beta brainwaves present.

As you may already know, we have email discussion lists for TTEAM and TTouch certified practitioners that are hosted by Maggie Moyer, Peggy Rouse and Judi Trusky, bless their buttons!! The discussions are often fascinating and educational, and sometimes there is a question directed to me. The following question that arrived over the Internet could be of interest and help to you.

Carol Bryant, a Tellington TTouch Apprentice in Oz (Australia) wrote the following. Stop! I need to know more about the "Mind Circles" you wrote about. What are mind circles? Are the TTouch circles done mentally on animals you are unable to touch and if so, can you tell me a little more about.

Hi Carole, Yes, these are circles done in the mind, directed specifically where you want them. We have some fascinating cases of beneficial effects which are described in my new TTouch book for humans. Until the book is published, just begin by visualizing them. I've used these imaginary Mind Circles in the air a few feet away from a terrified, aggressive tiger while visualizing/imagining that they were being done directly on the tiger's body and I could see a change occur right in front of my eyes. In the case of the snow leopard reported by Dr. Isenbugel in the forward to my Tellington TTouch book, I imagined doing circles on the second snow leopard who was watching me work her sister. The snow leopard I worked on, and the cub mate I visualized working on, recovered overnight from a respiratory disease that the zoo people expected the leopards to die from. You can visualize the circles while in the presence of an animal, or you can imagine you are with an animal that is not in your presence, and have this help. In the memory of Jonathan Livingston Seagull asking why seagulls can fly the answer is: "They think they can." Enjoy the journey!

So the next time you head out to the barn remember that TTouching your horse a few minutes a day can reduce your stress, clear your mind, deepen the connection with your horse and dog, and make you smarter. That's why the phrase "The Touch That Teaches" came into being.

Background Information

Follow-up to "News from Linda"

The February, 2003 TTEAM newsletter prompted several people to ask me for more information about the Mind Mirror studies. The most common question was asked about the difference between the Mind Mirror measurements of brain waves and standard EEG's. Here are some more details.

In the summers of 1987 and 1988 Linda worked with Anna Wise, founder of the Biofeedback Institute of Boulder, Colorado. After monitoring Linda's brain waves of while working with TTouch and discovering that she was working in the awakened mind state, Anna thought it would be interesting to check out TTouch students to see if they would have these same brainwave states.

Anna had worked with Maxwell Cade in England for 8 years before coming to the United States to continue her work with people using the Mind Mirror to develop insight, healing and creativity.

The following notes are exerts from The Anna Wise Center for Awakened Mind Training website and from her first book, The High Performance Mind: Mastering Brainwaves for Insight, Healing, and Creativity (Tarcher/Putnam, 1996, 271 pages)

There is major difference in EEG machines developed for medical use for diagnosis of brain dysfunction. The use of EEG to understand the pathology of the brain has been very thoroughly explored over the last few decades. The Mind Mirror was developed by Maxwell Cade to study states of consciousness.

"The study of states of consciousness was undertaken by C. Maxwell Cade, a distinguished British psychobiologist and biophysicist and one of the few nonmedical members of the Royal Society of Medicine, and Geoffrey Blundell, an electronics expert in the late 70s. They studied the brainwave states of yogis, swamis, healers, ministers, and masters of many traditions to develop the Mind Mirror series of educational EEGs. The process was interactive – with many revisions to the hardware as Cade and Blundell discovered how to measure brainwave states that correlate to subjective states of mind. What emerged was an "awakened mind" brainwave pattern. Cade continued to find confirmation of this lucid state in the highly evolved minds that he studied, and learned how to help his students develop it. (p. 11)

"The high-performance mind – the awakened mind possesses a potential for using optimum states of consciousness for greater creativity; self-healing; better general health, relaxation, and stress management; solving emotional problems; more productivity in the workplace; understanding and improving relationships; greater self-knowledge; and spiritual development.

This state of mind is clearer, sharper, quicker, and more flexible than ordinary states. Thinking feels fluid rather than rigid. Emotions become more available and understandable, easier to work with and transform. Information flows more easily between the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious levels. Intuition, insight, and empathy increase and become more integrated into normal consciousness. With an awakened mind, it becomes easier to visualize and imagine, and to apply this increased imagination to one's creative processes in many areas." (p. 2)

Anna Wise's Description of the Brain Wave Functions:

"BETA is your normal thinking state, your active external awareness and thought process. Without beta you would not be able to function in the outside world.

ALPHA brainwaves are the brainwaves of relaxed detached awareness, visualization, sensory imagery and light reverie. Alpha is the gateway to meditation and provides a bridge between the conscious and the subconscious mind.

THETA brainwaves are the subconscious mind. Theta is present in dreaming sleep and provides the experience of deep meditation when you meditate. Theta also contains the storehouse of creative inspiration and is where you often have your spiritual connection. Theta provides the peak in the peak experience.

DELTA brainwaves are your unconscious mind, the sleep state, but when present in combination with other waves in a waking state, Delta acts as a form of radar – seeking out information – reaching out to understand on the deepest unconscious level things that we can't understand through thought process. Delta provides intuition, empathetic attunement, and instinctual insight."

"Someone in the Awakened Mind brainwave state (specific activation of beta, alpha, theta and delta in both hemispheres) has access to the unconscious empathy, intuition, and radar of the delta waves, the subconscious creative storehouse, inspiration and spiritual connection of the theta waves, the bridging capacity, lucidity and vividness of imagery, and relaxed detached awareness of the alpha waves, and the ability to consciously process thoughts in beta – all at the same time!"

"The work I have done with interspecies communication and brainwaves involves horses and their riders or trainers. I fell into this work by accident when I met Linda Tellington-Jones. The first time she came to me for a brainwave profile I monitored her while working on people. In this state she produced a form of awakened mind brainwave pattern that was heavily weighted with theta brainwaves.

"I was interested to know if her students had a similar pattern, so we set up a test during one of her workshops at a Colorado ranch. I observed that all of the students who had studied TTouch over a period of time tended to have strong theta and delta brainwaves in a normal resting waking state. Six out of the eleven people I measured had near awakened mind patterns in the left hemisphere, and one person had an awakened mind as coherent as Tellington-Jones'."

Our next step was obviously to attempt to monitor horses' brainwaves and then to see if we could observe any effect from TTouch. We fond that the basic resting state of the horses was primarily theta and delta with occasional flares of alpha. When TTouch was administered we got an activation of all four categories of brainwaves on the horses. We say that alpha especially was consistently activated during TTouch, as well as some beta.

I simultaneously monitored the brainwaves of Tellington-Jones and a horse she was working on, and found a high level of entrainment occurring between the horse and the trainer.

Perhaps the most startling experience that we had took place while working with a two-year-old thoroughbred mare that the owner thought was crazy. Initially, this horse had scattered brainwaves and out-of-control, high-amplitude flares. She had exceedingly strong theta and delta and not as much alpha and beta as we thought there should be, according to the other horses' brainwaves. Tellington-Jones then spent some time doing TTouch on her.

Afterward I was standing in front of a group of people talking about our discoveries and discussing this particular horse's difficulties. I explained that this horse could produce only theta and delta and was unable to produce alpha – whereupon the horse immediately produced strong alpha. When everyone laughed, I said, "O.K., but she can't produce beta." When she immediately produced beta, no one laughed, because our mouths were all open! Time prevented us from experimenting further with this particular horse. I still wonder what would have happened if I had said "O.K., but she still can't produce an awakened mind." (p. 213)

These studies on multiple horses on two separate occasions were fascinating from the point of view of considering that horses demonstrated an activation of beta – indicating logical thinking in the mind's of humans.

However, the brainwave studies done on TTouch students were even more interesting to me than the results shown with horses.

The Mind Mirror showed a consistent activation of all four brain waves in both hemispheres of the people doing TTouch and those being TTouched. It is my belief that this explains the reports from people TTouching their horses, dogs, cats, other animals as well as two-leggeds, that they feel more alive, more balanced emotionally as well as physically, more focused, happier. This has been true for both children and adults. So that the time adults spend TTouching their animals is as much benefit to them as to their animals – in addition to the wonderful bonding and opening of the heart that occurs.

It has been demonstrated that activation of both hemispheres of the brain– to include both logical thinking and intuitive knowing– is important for "Whole Brain Learning". TTouch^® can be a powerful tool for this enhancement and at the same time healing for the body, mind and soul.

Anna and I have been in discussion regarding further studies and hope to get together later this year. My vision is to measure the brain waves of children TTouching their companion animals. I believe this would be a powerful tool for Whole Brain Learning and "High TTouch" in this age of "High Tech". With TTouch children can learn "compassionate empowerment" and a sense of kindness that is sorely needed in our modern world.

Aloha, LTJ

NOTE: TTEAM is an acronym of "Tellington TTouch^® Equine Awareness Method." Since this article was written, the brand name for all the facets of the TTouch^® organization is Tellington TTouch^® Training.

Events

CELLebration Learning 3-Day Conference & Interactive Workshops

Celebrating 50 Years of the Tellington TTouch Method in 2025!

In 1975, Linda Tellington-Jones introduced a groundbreaking approach to influencing behavior, performance, and wellbeing in animals with the Tellington TTouch Method. In 2025 we are thrilled to celebrate 50 years of this revolutionary work!

Even though our October 2024 in-person "Cell-ebration" event was disrupted by hurricane Milton, we’re excited to transform this challenge into an opportunity:

The 2025 Tellington TTouch “Cell-ebration” Learning Conference & Interactive Workshop Sessions have been reimagined, revitalized, and ready to inspire with a completely new format!

This exciting in-person event brings together a community of passionate animal lovers for a blend of learning, sharing, hands-on practice, break out sessions, and meaningful connections.

Mornings will feature engaging lectures, including an inspiring keynote from Dr. Stephanie Cote, DVM, who integrates TTouch, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and other holistic techniques in her veterinary practice.

Afternoons will be dedicated to interactive workshop labs, where you can apply new techniques, refine existing skills, and receive personalized feedback.

Event Details:

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel
     304 West Colonial Drive
     Orlando FL 32801
     888-295-7563

Dates: January 24-26, 2025, Conference & Banquet

Schedule:

CELL-ebration: Friday January 24th
9:00 - 12:30 Presentations
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch at the Hotel included in tuition.
2:00 - 5:00 Interactive workshops

CELL-ebration: Saturday January 25th:
9:00 - 12:30 Presentations
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch at the Hotel included in tuition.
2:00 - 5:00 Interactive workshops
6:30-8:00 Banquet dinner (not included in tuition)

CELL-ebration: Sunday January 26th:
9:00 - 12:30 Presentations
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch at the Hotel included in tuition.
2:00 - 5:00 Interactive workshops

Note: Program details subject to change.

Fans of TTouch who are not Practitioners or have not taken any trainings, are welcome to attend the full conference.

Event Highlights

Presentations:

TTouch & Proprioception for Dogs & Horses – Rachel Jackson
TTouch in Rehabilitation – Karin Freiling
Experiencing Flower Essences, Acupressure and TTouch with applied Kinesiology – Kathleen Aspenns
TTouch Success Stories: Extreme Physical Deficits – Sanju Ramachandran
How TTouch brings light to the cells as a form of healing communication / theory and practice – Elinor Silverstein
TTouch Behavior Insights for Cats – Toni Shelbourne

Interactive Workshops:

Refining & Expanding TTouch Skills with Linda Tellington-Jones
Fascial Integration & Body Wraps with Robyn Hood
TTouch & Cranial Sacral Therapy with Stephanie Cote & Sally Morgan
Advanced Concepts for Dogs & Horses with Robyn Hood
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) Session
Round Table Discussions on successes, challenges, and strategies

Participants will be grouped by experience level, creating a dynamic learning environment for both beginners and seasoned practitioners.

Join us for this extraordinary gathering as we "Cell-ebrate" 50 years of changing lives, one TTouch at a time, while honoring Linda Tellington-Jones and our dedicated teachers worldwide.

Note: Program details subject to change.

Incentive:

Bring a friend to our in-person conference (who was not previously registered to attend) you will receive an incredible bonus – of a 30-minute consultation, via Zoom, with Linda Tellington-Jones herself ($200 value)!

Payment options.

Fees: $595 if paid in full when you register
or
you can opt to pay in installments of 3 payments of $211 each (a total of $633), 1st payment due at time of registration, 2nd payment on December 6th and 3rd payment on January 3rd (the last 2 payments will be charged automatically on those days unless you contact our office with different instructions)

Tuition includes the conference and lunches. It does NOT include the Saturday evening banquet dinner.

Special Registration Fees for the CELLebration:
    • Daily attendance: $245 per day (includes lunch).
    • Banquet: $85 (3 course meal plus coffee and tea)

How to Register

Below – scroll to the bottom to register and to make a payment.

Call our office to pay with your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card

Cancellation Policy:
Tellington TTouch Training reserves the right to cancel the CELL-ebration and trainings if necessary, because of circumstances beyond our control. In this case all deposits, tuitions and the processing fees will be refunded.

We recommend that you purchase trip insurance for your flight, hotel, etc.

Participant Cancellation Policy:
Any cancellation made more than 45 days before the start of the event will incur a $150 administrative cancellation fee. The remaining amount you have paid will be refunded to you.

For any cancellations made within the 45-day window before the event begins, whatever monies you have paid are nonrefundable, unless you are able to find a substitute participant to take your place.

Lodging

Tellington TTouch has reserved a block of rooms at the Crown Plaza Hotel at the following group room rates (The room block is under Tellington TTouch Training):

$149 plus tax in a Two Queen or King Bedroom
(Two Double Queen Beds or a King Bed with a comfortable sitting area, 48” flat screen, and workspace. A wet bar, mini refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker and full-size microwave adorns the kitchenette area. This suite sleeps 2 to 4)

Group rates include the following for overnight guests:

Free Wireless Internet Access in all rooms

Outdoor Pool and Hot Tub daily open from 7 AM – 11 PM

On-Site Self-Parking – Reduced rate of $10 + tax per day

24-Hour Fitness Center

24-Hour Business Center

Bite Bistro & Wine Bar 7 AM – 10 PM

EV- car charging station on site

Service Animals are accepted – no other animals allowed

Free Hotel shuttle within 3 miles of the hotel (closest Grocery store less then 1 mile away -Publix)

Method of Reservations:

Individual reservations can be made online:

Tellington TTouch Training Reservation Link

If you need assistance, you can call Central Reservations: 888-295-7563.
(For International callers use: 407-843-8700)
Please refer to Group Reservation: Tellington TTouch Training

Check In Time: 3:00 PM    Check Out Time: 11:00 AM

Please note: Reservations by attendees must be received on or before Monday, December 23rd, 2024 (the “Cutoff Date” for our room block). Reservations received after the Cutoff Date will be confirmed on a space-available basis at prevailing rates.

Please view additional Amenities at the hotel:
www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/orlando/mcooa/hoteldetail/amenities

Airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO) about 13 miles to the hotel

Shuttle: We have not been able to locate any airport shuttle but there are Uber, Lyft and Taxies. Please research your preferred option.

Things You Should Know About Orlando

Orlando is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States.

Some interesting websites:
www.visitorlando.com
worldstrides.com/blog/2017/07/10-fun-facts-orlando/
theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/florida/articles/15-things-to-know-before-visiting-orlando-florida

Weather:
The average weather in Orlando, Florida at the end of January is mild and comfortable, with temperatures ranging from the 40s to 70s°F

from $595

Interactive & Online Getting in TTouch® with Your Cat

TTouch® for Cats with Toni Shelbourne

Dates: Sundays – February 2nd & 23rd, 2025

Time: 16:00 – 18:00 GMT/ 11:00 – 13:00 EST – via Interactive Zoom Sessions (recorded for repeated viewing)

The Live Interactive portion of the course includes:

4 hours of live learning sessions in a small, friendly group setting.
Access to an exclusive Facebook Group for ongoing questions and feedback
Recorded sessions for future viewing
Individualized advice and coaching about your specific cat.
Private Whatsapp group.

The online portion of the course includes:

3 Lessons: Each consisting of several specific topics.
Over an hour of “how-to” videos and lectures about each specific concept and exercise
Downloadable 40 page Course Manual
24/7 access to all materials

Academy Credits: 4

On February 2nd & 23rd, 2025 (16.00 – 18.00 GMT/ 11:00 – 13:00 EST) join Toni Shelbourne, Tellington TTouch Instructor, author and Animal Behaviourist, takes you through the steps to begin understanding and interacting with your cat in a more positive, mindful, and proactive way.

Learn how to notice subtle changes and communication signals that you cat is trying to convey to you and understand how you can adjust and adapt your approach to each individual animal. This course includes 4 hours of live, interactive, virtual learning AS WELL AS, online course material, available to you 24/7 with lifetime access.

Taking what you observe, discover the versatile and adaptive TTouch body work techniques that allow you to make positive contact with your cat, in a way they enjoy and look forward to; deepening your bond and helping your feline friend become more comfortable and relaxed.

In addition to simple yet effective TTouch techniques, discover fun, interactive exercises that will engage your cat and help transform apprehension or indifference into curiousity and engagement.

Use your new skills in practical applications, learning how to help your cat become more comfortable in typically challenging everyday handling scenarios such as, Vet visits, nail trimming, and more!

View Details and Register

Interactive & Online Tellington TTouch® for Horses

course content

Join Tellington TTouch Method Instructor, Robyn Hood, as well as other guest instructors, and develop a deep level of understanding and skill that will transform how you understand, handle and train horses.

Enjoy the logical, linear, learning of online learning along with the inspiring and adaptive format that includes 36 hours of small, LIVE, Zoom sessions – all recorded for your convenience and on-going learning.

This course is the ideal option for anyone seeking an integrative and compassionate approach to horse training and management. Whether you are a professional horse trainer or dedicated horse lover, this course will provide you with an incredible framework of philosophical understanding, observational skills, bodywork techniques, groundwork exercises, innovative tools, and work under saddle that can make what you already do well, be even better; all while developing a deeper, more trusting relationship.

The Tellington TTouch for Horses: Immersion Series can serve as your core curriculum for Tellington TTouch Online Academy Certification credits however it is also a fantastic learning opportunity for those wanting to add to what they already do well or expand their knowledge and skill set.

Register and gain access to an extensive, clearly laid out and detailed online course covering the material you would learn in at least two, 5 day hands on sessions. This course can be done at YOUR OWN PACE, before or after the LIVE sessions.

Beginning in March enjoy, the first of twelve, 3 hour immersion session that will leave you inspired, empowered and excited to learn and practice.

Between sessions you will work on specific skills and assignments, if you are working towards Certification. Sessions are recorded for future viewing or should you have to miss a live class. Each session will be taught by Robyn or another one of our wonderful TTouch Instructors.

Enjoy the comforts of home, with your animal at ease, in this small, intimate group setting. Robyn will help coach you through specific concerns you may have and give you the tools to enhance your horse’s well being, behavior and performance.

This course can count towards the Tellington TTouch Practitioner certification program for horses. It is also suitable for riders and horse enthusiasts who are interested in the method to enhance their relationship and address a myriad of challenges without force or dominance. All levels of experience and areas of interest are welcome.

Students will have access to online material to cover at their own pace. The online portion of learning consists of a logical, linear, “Tellington TTouch for Horsess – Core Curriuculum”, which can be accessed at any time.

The online portion of the course includes:

The FULL Tellington TTouch for Horses Core Curriculum Course: Each consisting of several specific topics and lessons.
Hours “how-to” videos and lectures about each specific concept and exercise
Lesson video assignments, to be completed by those pursuing certification
24/7 access to all materials

The LIVE interactive portion of the course includes:

TWELVE 3 hour sessions of learning in an intimate, supportive, group setting over the span of 6 months
Class recordings for future viewing & review
Access to an interactive group chat and discussion page.
Expert feedback about your own animals
In class assistants co-teaching and supporting the group’s learning and questions.

Payment plan available, please email ttouch@shaw.ca for information.

ttouch.ca

Hands On - Tellington TTouch® for Dogs

Want a calm, confident canine companion?

Looking for the skills to have more enjoyable, relaxing walks on leash?

Maybe you just want to add to your existing skills?

Enjoy the positive, fun filled learning environment that looks at dog training in an all encompassing, whole, way. This workshop can serve as an introduction to the Tellington TTouch Method for Dogs (and other Companion Animals) and build and refine the skills of more experienced students.

Professionals dog trainers and dedicated dog guardians alike will benefit from the variety of practical techniques and unique approaches learned in this class! Add layers of knowledge and skill to what you already to well and discover new ways of understanding and handling that you can integrate into your current program to achieve remarkable results.

During the session you will learn, develop and build on the fundamentals of Tellington TTouch Bodywork, Leash work, and Observation skills.

These skills will empower you with a variety of innovative techniques and exercises to help address the most common issues confronting dog owners, trainers, and other professionals; in a forward thinking, low-stress, positive manner.

This is an ideal method to help enhance positive dog training modalities. Bring your own dog or work with one at the course. There may be an opportunity to work with other species, such as horses, in a safe, confidence building way.

Can count to credit for Tellington TTouch Practitioner credits (8 or 12 credits), suitable for new and returning students.

Tuition

3-Day: $775 plus 5% GST

EARLY BIRD (Ends December 31, 2023) $650 plus 5% GST

5-Day: $1175 plus 5% GST

EARLY BIRD (Ends December 31, 2023) $950 plus 5% GST

Included in this course is our Online Course – “Tellington TTouch for Dogs – An Introduction”. $49.94 USD VALUE

Snacks, lunch and refreshments are included in the price.

Learn more about the Facility and Accommodations.

For cancellations made more than 30 days in advance of the training, a refund will be given minus a $100 administration fee. No refunds are possible for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start of the training, unless we can fill your spot. In some cases credit can go towards subsequent events.

We recommend that you purchase flight and hotel insurance for each event for which you register.

All prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars.

ttouch.ca

TTouch Training for Companion Animals

This class is sold out. If you'd like to be added to the wait list please contact our office with phone number and email: kirsten@ttouch.com or call us at 866-813-8169

Tellington TTouch® Training for Companion Animals in Jefferson, MD
Three-day Workshop Aug 23rd – 25th, 2024

Schedule:

Day 1: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

(Arrive by 9:45 AM to get settled)

Days 2: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Day 3: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Tuition: $595

A $300.00 deposit is due at the time of registration to hold a space in the workshop. The balance is due July 26th, 2024. Early-bird discount: Pay in full by July 1st and receive $55.00 off.

Please note: If you pay your deposit with a credit card, any remaining balance will be charged to the same card 30 days before the start of the workshop unless you have paid in full or informed us of a different payment method.

Three ways to Register:
    • Online: see form below
    • Phone: Call our office to pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
    • PayPal: Send payment to forum@tellingtontraining.com.

Cancellation Policy:

Organizer Cancellation: If the session is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances or insufficient enrollment, all payments will be refunded.
Participant Cancellation: Cancellations made more than 30 days before the workshop will receive a refund minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds for cancellations made within 30 days of the workshop, but funds can be applied to another training within one year of the cancellation date.

Animals attending the Training: Dogs and other companion animals are welcome. Notify us when you register as there is a limit on the number of dogs. Complete and submit an Animal Profile Form one month before the workshop.

If bringing your dog:

Only one dog may participate per day due to space constraints.
Bring a crate, x-pen, or mat, water bowl, food & treats, proof of vaccinations or titer, and ID collar, lead, and any head halter or harness.

Guidelines to help us maintain good relations with our training facilities and partner hotels by:

Respect facility and hotel animal policies.
Safely contain your animal when unsupervised.
Leave facilities and hotel rooms in their original condition.

What to Wear: Comfortable clothing suitable for bending, stretching, and sitting on the floor.

Meals: Meals are not included. Bring your own lunch and snacks. Water, coffee, and tea will be available. There will be a one-hour lunch break each day.

Travel Information:

Airports:
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - 36 miles
- Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) - 58 miles
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) - 52 miles

Accommodation: For nearby hotels, visit Hotels.com or check Airbnb.com or VRBO.com.

Additional Information: Frederick, MD, is only 15 minutes away, offering dining, arts, shops, and entertainment. Enjoy outdoor activities like rock climbing, canoeing, and mountain biking. Washington D.C. and Baltimore are about a 50-minute drive from the training site.

Tellington TTouch® Training for Companion Animals

Tellington TTouch® Training for Companion Animals in Jefferson, MD
Three-day Workshop May 8th – 10th, 2026

Schedule:

Day 1: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

(Arrive by 9:45 AM to get settled)

Days 2: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Day 3: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Tuition: $595

A $300.00 deposit is due at the time of registration to hold a space in the workshop. The balance is due April 9th, 2026. Early-bird discount: Pay in full by March 10th and receive $55.00 off.

Cancellation Policy:

Organizer Cancellation: If the session is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances or insufficient enrollment, all payments will be refunded.
Participant Cancellation: Cancellations made more than 30 days before the workshop will receive a refund minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds for cancellations made within 30 days of the workshop, but funds can be applied to another training within one year of the cancellation date.

If bringing your dog:

Only one dog may participate per day due to space constraints.
Bring a crate, x-pen, or mat, water bowl, food & treats, proof of vaccinations or titer, and ID collar, lead, and any head halter or harness.

Guidelines to help us maintain good relations with our training facilities and partner hotels by:

Respect facility and hotel animal policies.
Safely contain your animal when unsupervised.
Leave facilities and hotel rooms in their original condition.

What to Wear: Comfortable clothing suitable for bending, stretching, and sitting on the floor.

Meals: Meals are not included. Bring your own lunch and snacks. Water, coffee, and tea will be available. There will be a one-hour lunch break each day.

Travel Information:

Airports:
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - 36 miles
- Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) - 58 miles
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) - 52 miles

Accommodation: For nearby hotels, visit Hotels.com or check Airbnb.com or VRBO.com.

$595.00

Interactive & Online Tellington TTouch® for Cats

$200.00 – $999.00
Begins February 14, 2026 | Online + Live Zoom Sessions

A live online immersion in Tellington TTouch® for cats, supporting calm, confidence, and connection. Includes an optional Associate certification pathway. Live sessions begin February 7th!

Live, Interactive Zoom Learning with Lifetime Access

Learning TTouch for cats deepens your ability to recognize early signs of stress, respond with empathy, and support your cat’s well-being without force or fear. It strengthens trust, improves comfort and mobility, and often transforms everyday interactions—grooming, veterinary care, handling, or simply being together—into moments of connection rather than conflict.

Whether you are a cat guardian, behavior professional, or rescue worker, TTouch provides practical tools that honor a cat’s sensitivity while empowering them to feel safer, more balanced, and more at ease in their world.

This immersive online course offers a comprehensive introduction to the Tellington TTouch® Method for cats and may be taken for personal enrichment or as part of the certification pathway to become a recognized TTouch Associate for Cats. Combining live, interactive Zoom lectures with supported practice, feedback, and discussion, the course is designed for professionals and dedicated cat guardians who want to apply TTouch thoughtfully, safely, and effectively.

Course Format & Schedule

This course is delivered through live, interactive Zoom sessions, allowing participants to learn in real time, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance PLUS self-paced online that provides supplemental course materials.

Interactive Zoom Classes (2 hours each):
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST
19:00 – 21:00 (Europe)

Dates:
February 7, 2026
March 7, 2026
April 11, 2026
May 9, 2026

Support & Review Sessions (1 hour each):
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PST
19:00 – 20:00 (Europe)

Dates:
February 21, 2026
March 28, 2026
April 25, 2026
May 23, 2026

All Zoom sessions are recorded and included with lifetime access.

Interactive & Online Tellington TTouch® for Horses

$200.00 – $999.00
Begins February 14, 2026 | Online + Live Zoom Sessions

A six-month online Tellington TTouch® Immersion for horses, starting February 14, 2026. Learn gentle, trust-based techniques to improve behavior, confidence, and connection with guidance from Robyn Hood, guest sessions with Linda Tellington-Jones, and certified TTouch Instructors. Includes full curriculum access, twice-monthly live Zoom coaching, recordings, certification eligibility, and a bonus private consult. Open worldwide.

Enrollment is open throughout the course period.

This program combines depth, flexibility, and real-world application. Students learn within a supportive global community while receiving individualized coaching that is rarely available in large online courses. The holistic approach integrates bodywork, groundwork, saddle work, and behavior support, all based on cooperation, awareness, and trust rather than force.

Learning from home allows horses to remain relaxed and regulated, helping students apply what they learn immediately and effectively. Many participants report meaningful improvements in behavior, confidence, and connection without attending any in-person events.
An Invitation to Deepen Your Horsemanship

Whether you are beginning your Tellington TTouch certification journey or simply want to expand your skills and understanding in an inspiring, compassionate environment, this Immersion Course offers a rare opportunity to learn, grow, and connect—both with your horse and with a like-minded international community.

Payment plans are available. For more information, please email ttouch@shaw.ca.

Develop Your Horse’s Potential

Do you want to learn simple, easy and horse friendly exercises and techniques that can transform your horse’s posture, behaviour and overall performance?

Do you have a horse who is coming back into work or has past trauma or habits from poor training, injury or just long-term patterns of tension?

Would you like to learn low-stress, effective, safe and innovative techniques and exercises that can be integrated into what you already know and do?

Do you want to enhance the relationship you have with your horse?

This weekend course will provide an overview to identifying functional, weight carrying posture and provide bodywork, ground work, and innovative exercises to help you offer your horse discover new possibilities of movement, balance and posture with long lasting benefits.

Discover how to train your eye to notice dysfunctional patterns of posture, muscle development and areas of tension so you can start being more aware of how your handling and training is positively, or negatively, impacting your horse’s physical well-being.

Learn simple, effective, and non-invasive body work techniques to help encourage relaxation, breathing and trust. These exercises can be used by horse owners of all level and no previous anatomy knowledge is required.

Mindful, low-stress, functional ground work exercises in hand and over poles will give you beneficial ways to help your horse find new patterns of movement that will not re-create tension patterns caused by old habits.

In addition to bodywork and groundwork techniques, Mandy will introduce TTouch Body Wraps and SURE FOOT Equine Stability Pads as additional, horse guided tools that can transform postural patterns at a deep, long lasting level.

Can count to credit for Tellington TTouch Practitioner credits.

Included in tuition is access to our Online Course – “Happy Horse Course: Tellington TTouch Method”. $79.94 USD VALUE

Snacks and refreshments are included.

Learn more about the Facility and Accommodations.

We recommend that you purchase flight and hotel insurance for each event for which you register.

$425.00

All prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars

ttouch.ca

Hands On -Tellington TTouch® for Small Critters, Exotics and More

Introduction to Tellington TTouch for Multispecies Care – Cross Training for Your Skills

Date: April 9, 2025
$167.97 approximately the equivalent to £125 GBP

Discover a Revolutionary Approach to Animal Well-being and Connection
Join us for an immersive one-day workshop exploring the Tellington TTouch Method, a gentle, hands-on technique that transforms the way we interact with animals. Designed for animal enthusiasts, caregivers, and professionals, this session provides a unique opportunity to learn how to improve well-being, behavior, and cooperation while deepening trust and communication between humans and animals.

What You’ll Learn:

Tellington TTouch Bodywork: Master the foundational hands-on techniques that promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve function for animals of all ages and species.
Multispecies Focus: While we’ll focus on dogs, cats, and people, you’ll also learn how to adapt these techniques for a variety of animals, including small farm animals, reptiles, alpacas, parrots, and more.
Tailored Solutions: Understand how to customize TTouch for each animal’s unique needs, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

This workshop is perfect for:

Pet guardians looking to enhance their relationships with their animals.
Professionals in animal care, including massage therapists, trainers, and veterinarians.
Animal lovers eager to cross-train their skills and learn techniques for a wide range of species.

No prior experience is needed, and the techniques are easy to learn and apply. By the end of the day, you’ll have the tools and confidence to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the animals you care for—and in your own life, too!

View Details and Register

Hands On - Tellington TTouch® for Horses

Are you seeking news way of understanding or working with horses?

Would you like to learn low-stress, effective, safe and innovative techniques and exercises that can be integrated into what you already know and do?

Do you want to enhance the relationship you have with your horse?

Discover how the Tellington TTouch Method will improve performance, well-being, and behavior while enhancing the relationship with your horse on the ground and in the saddle.

This intensive hands-on course will give the tools of observation, bodywork, groundwork, and an introduction to riding concepts that will help you understand and communicate with every horse you work with.

In addition to Tellington TTouch principles we will be exploring the use of Wendy Murdoch’s “Surefoot Equine Stability Program” with a variety of Surefoot Pads and touch on Peggy Cummings’ Connected Riding concepts for body-awareness exercises that can be taken into everyday life, in and out of the saddle.

Enjoy the positive, fun filled learning environment that helps you understand and connect with horses in an all encompassing, whole, way. This workshop can serve as an introduction to the Tellington TTouch Method for Horses or as a way to build and refine the skills of more experienced students.

Choose from 2 different course options:

3 day introductory option for students new to the work and looking to add some tools to their everyday handling

5 day intensive option for students looking to deepen their understanding and refine their skills. The 2 extra days can be tailored to individual interests and learning needs.

Can count to credit for Tellington TTouch Practitioner credits suitable for new and returning students

Tuition (2 Options)

3-Day: $755 plus 5% GST (8 credits)

EARLY BIRD (Ends December 31, 2023) $650 plus 5% GST

5-Day: $1175 plus 5% GST (12 credits)

EARLY BIRD (Ends December 31, 2023) $950 plus 5% GST

Included in tuition is access to our Online Course – “Tellington TTouch for Horses – An Introduction”. $49.94 USD VALUE

Snacks, lunches and refreshments are included.

Learn more about the Facility and Accommodations.

We recommend that you purchase flight and hotel insurance for each event for which you register.

All prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars

ttouch.ca

Interactive & Online Tellington TTouch for Dogs

Intro with Jyl Hershman-Ross – April 2025
(CST Zone)

$239.00

About the Class:

Dates: Fridays April 18 & 25 – 5-7 pm CST & Saturdays, April 19 & 26: 4-7 pm CST

Time: Fridays from 17:00 to 19:00 CDT & Saturdays 16:00 to 19:00 CDT via Interactive Zoom Sessions (recorded for repeated viewing)

Included Content: Easy to follow, self-paced course! Includes many hours of video lectures and how-to video demonstrations. Plus 10 hours of interactive, live-streamed instruction.

Academy Credits: 6 (Tellington TTouch Practitioner Certification & 10 CEU’s for CCPDT & NAODI

Discover techniques designed to cooperatively:

✅ Help your dog be their BEST selves!

✅ Enhance self-control

✅ Develop good leash habits

✅ Reduce anxiety & fear

✅ Address reactivity

✅ Support senior & special need dogs

✅Develop trust & Communication

You will learn how to:

➔ Interpret your dog’s behavior in a non-judgmental way

➔ Notice a dog’s subtle body language for signs of stress or relaxation

➔ Use simple, relaxing body work techniques to support your dog and your relationship

➔ Support your dog to reduce anxiety and enhance self-confidence

➔ Incorporate leash exercises to create more harmonious on-leash communication

➔ Recognize and acknowledge how your own state of mind will affect your dog

Click here for more Details and to Register Online

Interactive & Online Tellington TTouch® for Horses

Immersion Series with Robyn Hood & Guests

Join Tellington TTouch Method Instructor, Robyn Hood, as well as other guest instructors, including special sessions with Linda Tellington-Jones, and develop a deep level of understanding and skill that will transform how you understand, handle and train horses.

This course is the ideal option for anyone seeking an integrative and compassionate approach to horse training and management. It will provide you with an incredible framework of philosophical understanding, observational skills, bodywork techniques, groundwork exercises, innovative tools, and work under saddle that can make what you already do well, be even better; all while developing a deeper, more trusting relationship.

Enjoy the logical, linear, learning of online learning along with the inspiring and adaptive format that includes 36 (up to 72 with both classes) hours of small, LIVE, Zoom sessions – all recorded for your convenience and on-going learning.

$999.00

Dates: Saturdays starting September 28, 2024
(Enrollment is open throughout this time period)

Time: 8:00 – 11:00 PT/ 16:00 – 19:00 GMT via Interactive Zoom Sessions
(Recorded in case you miss a session!)

AND/OR (students may choose which session they attend)

Saturdays for Australia: 9:00 – Noon Sydney time/ Fridays: 14:00 – 17:00 PT

Full Details and Registration

Tellington TTouch® Training for Horses

Instructor: Robyn Hood, senior instructor

Location: de Stoethoeve, Birkstraat 131, Soest, Netherlands

Time: April 2 from 10 AM to 5 PM, April 3 and 4 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM (times may change in consultation with Robyn).

Cost: € 475, early bird discount of €50: if registered and paid before February 15, the cost is € 425. Coffee, tea, snacks, and use of horses is included.

Included as preparation are 2 webinars on February 26 and March 26 from 7:30 PM to 9 PM, by Vanda Oosterhuis together with Lily Peters. The webinars will be in English and Dutch.

There are enough horses to work with and limited opportunity to bring a horse. Some paddocks with electric fencing are available and there are 2 or 3 simple stables in the barn. Cost for horse: € 35 a day including hay.

Content of the training: The final program will be put together shortly before the training by Robyn, depending on the participants and the horses.

What will certainly be covered:

The different TTouches, not only how to apply them, but especially how the horse responds: what does it say, what does it show, what does it need?
Robyn will teach you to closely observe the small signals that a horse gives, what it communicates to you, and she is an expert in horse language.
We will work with body wraps in various ways, learn how to put them on and notice what they do for a horse.
The groundwork, the so-called "Playground of Higher Learning," indicates that it is fun and very educational for both horse and human, teaching you a lot about different ways of leading a horse and how that affects its balance and body awareness.

Registration and more information: Vanda Oosterhuis, info@gevoelvoorpaarden.nl
and +31-622548255

If you want to become a TTouch® practitioner and want to know what the training entails, you can find all information at: learn.ttouch.ca/equine-certification/

Events > Past Events Archive

TTouch for You: Inspiring Self Care

Connect With The Magical Intelligence Of Your Body

Tellington TTouch® is a simple, proven method of touch that has been used to improve the lives of thousands of people and animals throughout the world.

Learning TTouch® for Self-Care.Releasing anxiety and pain with TTouch® and gratitude.A supportive community sharing TTouch® in a global online setting.Connecting to the Creative Life Force in every cell in your body.The merging of science and spirituality.

This program offers credits for those looking for TTouch For You practitioner status. To learn more email kirsten@ttouch.com.

In this online, interactive course, you’ll discover what thousands have already experienced first-hand: the life-changing power of Tellington TTouch®!

$89/month or $979/yr

Dates and Times of Live Training Classes:

Each Class is 3 hours, and all classes are on Sundays at: 10:00 am Pacific Time / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET BONUS Weekly ‘Live With Linda’ Tuesdays each week at 11am -1 pm Pacific

Details and Registration

Our Method for > Horses > Attend a workshop > Read More

The Touch That Teaches

In the 1980s, Equus Magazine dubbed Tellington TTouch® Training "The Touch That Teaches" and said participants will learn how to see and embrace their horse as an individual and through observation, patience and TTouch®, find the best ways to assist it in its training.

The second T in TTouch stands for "Trust" and building trust is what we aim for since it is the foundation on which everything else rests. With trust, horses learn to achieve enhanced levels of physical, mental and emotional balance.

Who Should Attend?

Professionals of every level and from all disciplines, as well as amateurs, can benefit from learning a training philosophy and methodology devoted to working with horses using empathy instead of force - down to the cellular level. Linda's approach focuses on working with horses' minds and intelligence as much as with their body. The same is true of her work with riders.

Why Should You Attend?

To improve your horse's rideability and performance without stress using holistic and humane groundwork, bodywork and ridden work from the Tellington Method and Tellington TTouch® Training.
To create a long term training program that will help you develop a horse that is confident, willing, mentally and physically healthy, and capable of meeting your training goals regardless of discipline.
To enhance, repair or deepen your relationship with your horse through the Tellington twin philosophies of "Change Your Mind & You Can Change Your Horse" and "Change the Posture and Change the Behavior."

What Will You Learn?

Participants will learn how to identify, soothe and resolve discomfort in horses' bodies using TTouch. With the Tellington special ground exercises called the Playground for Higher Learning, they will learn how to help horses develop better patience, balance and suppleness as well as increase their confidence and self-reliance. They will find out why, when and how to enhance their horse's performance under saddle with the Promise Wrap, Liberty Ring, Balance Rein and Lindell, and why, when and how to ride bridleless and more.
On day one, participating horses and riders will be assessed under saddle to determine which of the TTouches, the Playground for Higher Learning exercises and Tellington riding equipment can be helpful.
Over the next two days Linda will teach specific TTouches and Tellington techniques appropriate to each horse's situation.
Participants will be broken into small groups and will practice with the horses under Linda's close supervision and with the help of her experienced team of instructors.
Participants will also experience TTouch and the Promise Wraps for themselves. Linda will share the importance of heart coherence and breath work in achieving internal balance and a closer partnership with horses in and out of the saddle.

What Will You Take Away?

Susan Gibson, publisher of Trail Blazer Magazine, reported that she left Linda's training with the "ability to see her horse with new eyes." Cristiane Pravaz from Quebec wrote after attending the Tellington Training in Hawaii; "I tried the Balance Rein with Comrade today for the first time, and I received my first half walk and a lighter trot than ever before, and when we were finished with the session, Comrade moved his head near mine and with his lips, he touched my nose and just turned like you would do to somebody to let her know that you like her and the way she rode this afternoon!!!"

Our hope and the purpose of this training is that participants will take home a different awareness of themselves and new ways to assist their horses.

Our Method for > Other Animals > Success Stories

Building Trust

By Missy Parker, Veterinary Nurse

"One of the most beneficial things I've seen in a long time for building trust and calming is the Tellington "TTouch" therapy system, developed by Linda Tellington-Jones.

"In my capacity as a Registered Veterinary Nurse, I have used TTouch to prevent dogs from going into shock (yes, it really does work!) until the vet could get there to help the dog. In my capacity as an obedience instructor, I have used portions of it in my greeting (and subsequent handling) behaviors with scared dogs (as well as with aggressive ones) to build up their trust in me while calming them in a class situation. I have also used portions of it when I'm wearing my "mom" and "wife" hats to "create an atmosphere more conducive to cooperation."

"I've never told the humans I've used it on that it was developed for animals.However, Baylor Hospital of Dallas, Texas (which is a teaching hospital) is now using it on their human patients - and telling them it was developed for animals - so maybe it's time for me to come out of the closet!

"I've seen TTouch work wonders in every case in which it has been used properly. Four particular cases come to mind. The first is a Shiba Inu who would "short-circuit" in my obedience classes when the stimulation level got at all elevated. With just five to ten minutes of TTouch from his owner before each class, the dog did so much better!

"The second: my client, a very competent middle-aged woman, had never owned a dog before she adopted a female GSD stray. My best guess as to this dog's story is that she was either from Schutzhund lines or a washout from a police dog program, then neglected severely for quite a while afterward. She had heartworms and callouses on every pressure point from, I believe, lying in a concrete-bottom kennel.

"Heidi (the dog) was the most accomplished kennel escape artist I've ever dealt with ... she escaped mine five different ways before I figured out how to keep her in - she had both removed the gate from its hinges and bitten the gate lock in half. I just love this dog because I have learned so much from her! When she first started coming to my classes, Heidi would roar in dragging Cathy (the owner) as though she were an embarrassing ball-and-chain to be completely ignored. Now, after a few months of class, TTouch, and good management, Cathy has a much nicer dog - who adores her. Like many other dogs I've seen on TTouch regularly, Heidi can be gently reversed when she goes into overdrive, and quickly, by the application of as little as two minutes of TTouch touches.

"The third: Silver is a toy poodle who was genetically predetermined to be a yappy, snappy, shaky mess. She is now a fabulous therapy dog, solid at CD-level obedience, a joy to her owner and to everyone else with whom she comes in contact. TTouch is used in Silver's daily life in general and, specifically, before and after therapy sessions with challenging clients. By the will of her owner, with a little help from me, this dog has gone from "sow's ear to silk purse." By the way, Silver has only 20% vision in one eye and about 40% in the other; she will eventually go totally blind.

"The fourth case is my husband, who has back trouble - the pain sometimes makes him very "crabby." TTouch helps him feel better and consequently elevates his mood, which has the effect of making everyone in my house feel better!

"In classes, I begin with the Tarantula/Plow techniques. Even “extreme” dogs seem to enjoy it so much and/or are so curious about what I'm doing that they momentarily interrupt their agenda to ... eat the people, eat the other dogs, die of fright, whatever. Then, when I have their interested attention, I move to Noah's March. If all's still well, I use the Lying Leopard. All of this is done while toning.

"Years ago, when I was in hard labor, a female Labor Attendant did it on me - and it worked then, too - although she had no idea that what she was doing would years later be called the TTouch. Her technique was a super light touch, Clouded Leopard all over my straining belly while she softly sang “Rock of Ages” to me! It was incredibly helpful at a very stressful and painful time.

"The effect of regular TTouch use seems to be cumulative if these techniques are used with a subject regularly, his or her body’s autonomic responses seem to take over faster and faster each subsequent time.

"So, from my experience, I heartily recommend TTouch as a great addition to your instructor’s toolbox...and thanks to Terry Ryan for the term!

"Next time you have a bad headache, try it on yourself - it works that way too!"

- Missy Parker thunderridgeinc@juno.com

Missy continued:

"Tellington TTouch was born out of Linda's extraordinary lifetime of work with horses, and has now been adapted to many species other than equine, including dogs, cats, hamsters, and many exotic animals. Linda's four years of study with Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, originator of the Feldenkrais method for horses, led her to the development of TTouch.

"Although TTouch is not technically a type of massage therapy, that would start to describe it. Actually, massage is done with the intent of affecting the muscular system - the intent of TTouch is the reorganizing of the nervous system and activating the function of the cells. I can describe it best by saying that it is a way of laying your fingers gently on the skin and moving them, as well as the skin they are touching, in a circular fashion, making repeating one-and-a-quarter circles clockwise. During this touch, the practitioner breathes rhythmically - in for the first half of the slow circle and out for the second half.

"According to Linda Tellington-Jones, TTouch is so simple to learn that a person having had less than one hour of instruction might make major changes in the behavior and personality of animals, and might considerably speed up the healing of wounds, injury or stiffness.

"Anna Wise, of the Evolving Institute of Boulder, Colorado, did a biofeedback study of TTouch practitioners which showed that both the brain waves of the practitioner, as well as those of the patient, were dramatically affected during the sessions. The brain waves registered what is known as "an awakened state" typical of healers, swamis, advanced meditators, and yogis as measured in a study by Maxwell Cate at the Institute for Psychobiological Research in London, England.

"There are several variations of TTouch hand positions; the amount of pressure used in the touch itself and where the touch is applied on the animal's body can vary, too. For instance, to prevent shock in injured animals of many species, as well as to calm the thunderstorm-phobic dog, T-Touch is applied to the ears.

"To make it easier to remember many of the hand/finger positions, they have been assigned the names of various animals: "Tarantula,” "Clouded Leopard,” "Flick of the Bear's Paw." With the TTouch, a practitioner may use "toning," a type of soothing vocalization.

"The Tellington TTouch Guidebook for Dogs describes the intended results of TTouch: to activate neural pathways to the brain, increasing an animal's self image and awareness, thereby improving its self-confidence and coordination. It adds: one need not know anatomy to be successful with this therapy, since using the TTouch anywhere on the body can improve health and awareness. Through the activation of its unused brain cells, an animal becomes more willing and able to learn. The TTouch develops a "cell-to-cell" between animal and human, a oneness which is a very special inter species, non-verbal communication."

Our Method for > TTouch-for-You > Why TTouch-for-You

TTouch & Heart Resonance & The Role of Intention

By Robin Bernhard LCSW, MED

The universality of Linda’s methodology is unique to TTouch. Linda didn’t have to develop different techniques to teach horses, whales, snakes, parrots, cats, dogs or humans. TTouch works for all species. Through touches that are universally understood, Linda and her students of TTouch, invite their animals to participate in harmonious mutual communication; cell to cell and heart to heart. In her book, Tellington TTouch, Linda states: “Instead of seeing the TTouch as something that I do to animals, which would create separation between us, I view the circles as a way to come into cellular harmony with them, a way of allowing my cells to speak to theirs. At a cellular level, no living thing is alien to any other, and so the sense of connections remains the same whether I’m working with a gerbil or a lynx, a kitten or an elephant.” Both the practitioner and the animal benefit from the mutual communication.

Linda believes that the TTouch practitioner’s intention for healing is communicated from the person to the animal (or person to person) on many levels. These intuitive ideas are now being scientifically documented by The Institute of HeartMath with new research about mind-body communication and the heart. Research at The Institute of HeartMath has shown that we can regulate heart rhythm coherence by holding positive feelings and intentions. Increased heart rhythm coherence produces more alpha brainwaves, enhanced awareness and improved cognitive performance. Alpha frequencies induce a state of tranquility, not unlike the tranquility experienced during TTouch, and interestingly, alpha brainwaves are associated with peak performance. The results of the research at the institute of HeartMath supports the hypothesis “that the changes in brain activity that occur during states of increased psychophysiological coherence lead to changes in the brain’s information processing capabilities. Results suggest that by using heart-based interventions to self-generate coherent states, individuals can significantly enhance cognitive performance.” It would be very interesting to see if TTouch enhances heart rhythm coherence. I suspect that it does.

The heart produces an energy field that can be measured for five feet in all directions. It is quite possible that all species are able to perceive influences from another being’s heart from a short distance. When humans communicate and touch is involved, the brain registers the heartbeat of the other in the EEG, physiological evidence that we are influenced by another’s heart rhythm chaos or coherence. Research has shown that horses are sensitive to the heart energy fields produced by humans and that humans are sensitive to the fields produced by the horse’s heart. The practitioner of TTouch knows well the experience of peace that comes while engaged in the practice of TTouch. Scientific knowledge about the energetic communication from the heart suggests that TTouch practitioners are energetically engaging their animal partners at the deep level of the heart. When the TTouch practitioner consciously holds the intention of healing and a compassionate attitude to generate heart rate coherence within the self, the person or animal being touched benefits from the calming influence of the energy field created by the practitioner’s heart. The research at the Institute of Heart Math suggests that the heart to heart engagement is reciprocal and thus, we have the beginnings of scientific documentation for the experience of healing intention, compassion, respect and positive regard that is part of TTouch practice.

There are more neurons running from the heart to the brain than from the brain to the heart. Some research suggests that the heart directs brain regulation and not the other way around. Linda has stressed the importance of holding a compassionate attitude coupled with the desire to support healing as the correct mind-set for the TTouch practitioner to allow the heart to influence the work. The research on the power of the heart from The Institute of HeartMath documents the scientific basis for what Linda understood intuitively about the heart’s influence on TTouch outcome and the mutual benefit for the practitioner and the animal when the practitioner intentionally generates a genuinely positive heart felt connection between the self and the animal during a TTouch session.

On the other hand, forceful methods generate fear and impede “thinking” as the horse moves into its instinctual fight/flight survival mode. During fight/flight activation, thinking is shut-down in favor of split-second non-thinking reflexive reactions that the horse can’t control. It is often in this fear driven state that horses can’t meet the demands placed upon them, for which they are frequently punished and pushed further into fear, pain and freeze responses. Instinctual reactions may be activated through a dominating relationship, and animals can be managed through such training methods. TTouch does not elicit instinct driven behavior mediated by the limbic system, rather Linda seeks to calm the limbic system and stimulate learning that is mediated by the cortex through a relationship infused with a heart-felt connection.

Shop > Dogs > Books

The Tellington TTouch®: Caring for Animals With Heart And Hands

2008 edition with a new cover and some edits.

$24.00

Shop > Horses > Books

Strike A Long Trot: Legendary Horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones

This book chronicles the distinguished early equestrian career of Linda Tellington-Jones.

$20.00

The Tellington TTouch®: Caring for Animals With Heart And Hands

2008 edition with a new cover and some edits.

$24.00

Worldwide > Animal Ambassadors International

1988 Animal Ambassadors International - Pilot Program in Idaho Schools

I've just been through a remarkable experience. It actually began last fall, when I did a pilot program introducing Animal Ambassadors International^® and TTEAM to elementary school children in my home state of Idaho. The TTEAM portion of the program was exciting and well received. We could see a wonderful thing happening: children becoming more responsive, more caring. We did not so much teach the children as awaken something they already had within themselves, something that can be very beautiful in a child. I say "we" because it was the animals who were the teachers. The TTouch was the connection that made it possible, but I was as surprised as anyone at some of the "lessons" the animals taught us.

We also demonstrated how an Animal Ambassadors International unit can be used to teach natural history and science. Each child chose an animal to befriend, protect, and learn more about. Many of the children also wrote a poem on behalf of their animal.

The content was rich, the program was successful and yet something was missing: the cross-cultural element Animal Ambassadors International began as an international celebration of the importance or animals in our lives. Linda Tellington-Jones invited American children to send pictures of their pet to her to take to Russia. Many children responded. The pictures were displayed in Gorky Park and the Russians were deeply touched by this expression of friendship.

I tried to introduce an international awareness into my school program, but it just didn't have the energy of the other elements of the program. In trying to analyze it and discover what was blocking the flow I realized pretty quickly that it was myself. I could not project interest in what I knew so little about. I could not make it real for them.

Fortunately a chance came to remedy the situation a little bit. On January 5, Linda organized an Animal Ambassador day for 15 Russian children who made a whirlwind tour of the US with Youth Ambassadors. Out of this experience grew the past two days and some exciting suggestions from teachers that I can hardly wait to pass on. But first let me describe what we did and what happened.

Most of the children had had at least a brief introduction to TTEAM last fall. A few had earned Animal Ambassadors International certificates. So it was a heartwarming reception I got from these children when I returned. The age range was 7 through 13, with most being 8 or 9. They were quite a bit younger than the Youth Ambassadors. But I was to find out they still responded to the Youth Ambassadors as one child to another.

I began by telling them about the Russian Youth Ambassadors in San Francisco. I told them everyday things, for example some of the comments the Russians had made about our food in the Youth Ambassador newspaper, "The Bridge." We looked at a globe to see what an immense country Russia is, and I talked about how the Soviet Union is actually many countries in one. We traced on the globe to find a Russian city exactly opposite us, only to find a city with a name we couldn't pronounce. After a few minutes' discussion I put on a record of Russian music -- explaining"balalaika" as best I could -- and then I taught the kids the dance the Russians had done the night of the concert at the Dakin home in San Francisco.

Fun? The teachers couldn't stand it. Soon teachers and aides -- everybody -- was whirling around. Nobody wanted to stop. The kids could do the difficult steps so easily it was amazing. We all had a grand time. This happened in class after class. In one class it was super because after we stopped the dancing one child said, "I wish we could write to some Russians." What a lead-in. We left the Russian musician and they wrote their letters.

The next day was thrilling because the kids had been doing some thinking on their own. They wanted to know about the Russian alphabet, why we spell their country U.S.S.R. and they write it C.C.C.P. One boy wanted to write his letter not about animals at all but about stopping nuclear warfare. I told him to give it a try if he wished, but he decided on his own that maybe his first letter should be about animals because he really had a super animal story to tell. Last fall he had adopted wolves as his totem animal and this winter he had had a chance to help a wolf. He would save nuclear disarmament for another letter.

It's important to remember that some of these letters are from kids who have never written a letter before. Many of these kids are what they used to call "under-achievers." They don't try. Well, today they tried. They tried so hard. I think they did a beautiful job. I hope it comes across how genuine and honest these letters are. The kids were not being creative, they were just being. They put their hearts into these letters and they did it in their own way, trying to be neat and readable, trying to spell the words correctly to make it easier for the Russian child who would read it. I'm not sure the Russians will understand what kind of dog a "cocker spaniel" is, but otherwise...

I wish I could put into words how important I feel this program is. These kids are not the privileged, some come to school in rags. They may never have another chance to make this connection. Yet in 10 years most of them will be voters. Will they still care about wolves and nuclear disarmament, and will they still be capable of signing "Your best friend" in a letter to an unknown Russian?

NOTE: TTEAM is an acronym of "Tellington TTouch Equine Awareness Method." Since this article was written, Linda decided to use a brand name for all the facets of the TTouch organization. Currently, that is Tellington TTouch^® Training.

Search Results

Pages

Items

About Us > Our Teachers > Meet Our Instructors

About Us > Research & Studies

News from Linda

Background Information

Event Details:

Schedule:

Event Highlights

Payment options.

How to Register

Lodging

Method of Reservations:

Things You Should Know About Orlando

Choose from 2 different course options:

Events > Past Events Archive

Our Method for > Horses > Attend a workshop > Read More

Our Method for > Other Animals > Success Stories

Our Method for > TTouch-for-You > Why TTouch-for-You

Shop > Dogs > Books

Shop > Horses > Books

Worldwide > Animal Ambassadors International