I wrote this article for the Wildlife Conference in Darwin in 2006, and someone kindly published it to the internet. More in Articles.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION by Joanna Mansson BVSc
This is a controversial topic for some, but not for others. When we were at University we were taught that animals are only instinctual and have no reasoning ability, which shocked me, because I felt differently. Since then this has been revised, as further research has shown that animals do have an intelligence and each one has a different personality, within each species, and within each group.
I have always loved animals but until a few years ago had never realised how intelligent they actually are. Then I worked at a place where there wasn’t a full time nurse. This meant that I had to do many procedures with animals on my own, which I wasn’t used to. Out of desperation I started talking to them, explaining that they were sick and as a result, I had to do some tests on them to find out what was wrong; that this meant I had to take some blood with a needle, which would hurt a little bit, but then I could put them on fluids which would make them feel better, and then they could go back to their cage. Nine out of ten times, the animals just relaxed and let me do it. I was shocked!
Then I had to run dog training classes and in this context I suddenly felt that commanding a dog to sit when it clearly wasn’t planning to was somehow disrespectful to the animal. A discussion on the ethics of dog ownership and methods of training was probably more appropriate.
At my next job I was working with other vets. When we had to do a procedure with the animal I would explain to the animal what we wanted, and whether or not it would hurt, and the other vet was amazed that we were able to do things that are commonly done only under sedation, not only without sedation but with the animals’ cooperation.
Then I found a book at the library called Communication with Animals, by Arthur Myers. He was a prize-winning reporter from the UK, who was sent to America to research all these people who claimed that they could talk to animals. There were about 100 stories about individual communicators and their experiences, and it was a whole new world.
From a sceptic’s point of view it certainly is a strange situation to be in, working with animals, and not even knowing "who" they really are, or "if" they really are! Without reliable proof, however, having been conditioned all our lives to believe that animals are dumb, and that we simply cannot communicate with them, this can be a thoroughly challenging topic.
However, if we research animal communication without bias, we find that it is generally accepted in other cultures across the globe, and that even within our own society, children claim to get messages from and communicate with animals, an ability which is lost, forgotten or suppressed, once society convinces them that it isn’t possible. Adults who claim to talk with animals are simply considered con-artists or insane.
Scepticism and prejudices aside, it is simply respectful and good nursing to explain to any patient in our care what is going on. Even if they can only pick up on body language and tone of voice, in reducing stress, which can cause fatalities all on its own, it is better than nothing.
There are at least 50 books by animal communicators on the subject, many of which are available at Amazon.com, and I encourage everyone to read about it before making up their minds. For the past 20 years, many veterinarians in America, and now in Australia, have started to offer animal communication, through reputable communicators, as one of their services to clients.
A few years ago I referred a baffling case to a communicator in Victoria, with good results. I have also spoken to two communicators in Sydney, all of whom have been doing it for years. The two in Sydney have been on TV many times.
One in particular, Trisha McCagh, teaches animal communication at workshops all over Australia and has offered to come up to Darwin 3-4 Feb 2007 for a 1-2 day course. She will keep the month of February free for other places that have also expressed interest.
Trisha said that a lot of sceptics turn up and despite scepticism, by the end of the first day, everyone has learnt how to do it; it’s just a matter of practising it. The cost is $150 for one day and $300 for two.
Those interested can email Trisha at trisha@animaltalk.com.au, or call Joanna Mansson on 0455 248 874.
Aug-Sept 2006
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION by Joanna Mansson BVSc
This is a controversial topic for some, but not for others. When we were at University we were taught that animals are only instinctual and have no reasoning ability, which shocked me, because I felt differently. Since then this has been revised, as further research has shown that animals do have an intelligence and each one has a different personality, within each species, and within each group.
I have always loved animals but until a few years ago had never realised how intelligent they actually are. Then I worked at a place where there wasn’t a full time nurse. This meant that I had to do many procedures with animals on my own, which I wasn’t used to. Out of desperation I started talking to them, explaining that they were sick and as a result, I had to do some tests on them to find out what was wrong; that this meant I had to take some blood with a needle, which would hurt a little bit, but then I could put them on fluids which would make them feel better, and then they could go back to their cage. Nine out of ten times, the animals just relaxed and let me do it. I was shocked!
Then I had to run dog training classes and in this context I suddenly felt that commanding a dog to sit when it clearly wasn’t planning to was somehow disrespectful to the animal. A discussion on the ethics of dog ownership and methods of training was probably more appropriate.
At my next job I was working with other vets. When we had to do a procedure with the animal I would explain to the animal what we wanted, and whether or not it would hurt, and the other vet was amazed that we were able to do things that are commonly done only under sedation, not only without sedation but with the animals’ cooperation.
Then I found a book at the library called Communication with Animals, by Arthur Myers. He was a prize-winning reporter from the UK, who was sent to America to research all these people who claimed that they could talk to animals. There were about 100 stories about individual communicators and their experiences, and it was a whole new world.
From a sceptic’s point of view it certainly is a strange situation to be in, working with animals, and not even knowing "who" they really are, or "if" they really are! Without reliable proof, however, having been conditioned all our lives to believe that animals are dumb, and that we simply cannot communicate with them, this can be a thoroughly challenging topic.
However, if we research animal communication without bias, we find that it is generally accepted in other cultures across the globe, and that even within our own society, children claim to get messages from and communicate with animals, an ability which is lost, forgotten or suppressed, once society convinces them that it isn’t possible. Adults who claim to talk with animals are simply considered con-artists or insane.
Scepticism and prejudices aside, it is simply respectful and good nursing to explain to any patient in our care what is going on. Even if they can only pick up on body language and tone of voice, in reducing stress, which can cause fatalities all on its own, it is better than nothing.
There are at least 50 books by animal communicators on the subject, many of which are available at Amazon.com, and I encourage everyone to read about it before making up their minds. For the past 20 years, many veterinarians in America, and now in Australia, have started to offer animal communication, through reputable communicators, as one of their services to clients.
A few years ago I referred a baffling case to a communicator in Victoria, with good results. I have also spoken to two communicators in Sydney, all of whom have been doing it for years. The two in Sydney have been on TV many times.
One in particular, Trisha McCagh, teaches animal communication at workshops all over Australia and has offered to come up to Darwin 3-4 Feb 2007 for a 1-2 day course. She will keep the month of February free for other places that have also expressed interest.
Trisha said that a lot of sceptics turn up and despite scepticism, by the end of the first day, everyone has learnt how to do it; it’s just a matter of practising it. The cost is $150 for one day and $300 for two.
Those interested can email Trisha at trisha@animaltalk.com.au, or call Joanna Mansson on 0455 248 874.
Aug-Sept 2006
Testimonials:
Animal Communication Workshops and Consultations
Jo, Thank you for allowing your home to host our gathering yesterday. I really appreciated it and it was lovely confirmation for me of my ability to communicate. I look forward to practicing more.
Again, thank you very much for the unexpected gift of the Bach (sic.. Bush) Flower homemade remedy. It was unexpected and a pleasant end to the day.
Kind Regards Natalie Newman-Martin Emmett Whole Body Relief O457 996 860
Sept 2015
"This is to let you know that what you are doing works. We lost our new puppy, and we were panicking. After a few days I tried to check in with the dog and see where she was. I got the impression that she was near a supermarket, where there was food and water, but she was hiding from people. I could see a yellow bin and a green wall. I then said to my daughter, “Jo taught you animal communication. See if you can talk with the puppy. Ask her about the yellow bin and the green wall.” My daughter did so. She said that the dog was saying “I can’t see colours.” So my daughter imagined the way home from where we suspected that she was, and sent the instructions to the dog. The next morning the puppy was sitting at our back door."
JF Townsville Oct 2016
I came across an article Jo had written for a magazine at a time of pure desperation, I was at my wits end with my pooch Pepè, who is a 40 kilo bundle of energy! He was fear aggressive, unpredictable and had bitten a few people and even me. After sending Jo an email with his photo begging her to help me understand why he was this way, she promptly wrote back, she had connected to Pepè easily and could tell me exactly what the problem was, she talked me through a process in which to heal myself and Pepè of our issues, and well I must admit I felt a little silly at first, it worked!!! I pretty much saw a difference right away in my anxiety over Pepè’s behaviour and in him, after a while I was able to go back to the exact point where he had learnt to be the way he was, and we have been clearing that ever since, that was 2 months ago, I now have a dog that I can walk with off-leash, plays with other pups and lets strangers near him, without teeth! We still have a way to go, but when I look back on the beginning I am so thankful of how far we have come! And I could not have done that without the healing energy of Jo, she is caring, loving, honest, and guides you through the process beautifully, if anyone out there has a dog they are at their wits end with, and thinking about giving up or being told by friends to give up, please try this first! You must do everything you can to help the little soul that has chosen you!
Toni and Pepè, Gold Coast April 2015
KH: Phone call after emailing photos of dog with questions. K said that it resonated with her so much, it was exactly what she felt, and it was nice to have confirmation. Then I asked some questions before explaining what else the dog had said. “Wow, you are so on the money. You are amazing. You won’t believe it, we were just discussing it!” Then text from KH: “Jo that was incredible and you are so accurate. I don’t think you realise how good you are. You are so in tune and very gifted. I’m excited for your life and the path you are going in.“
Meeting them both in person the next morning: the dog wouldn’t stop licking me, and wagging her tail. They said, laughing, “She is never like this!” KH said “I totally believe in everything you talk about. When I get back I will come to wherever you are on the road, to attend both workshops.”
KH Cairns Feb 2015
I turned up to my session with Joanna, thinking I was going for the benefit of my dog. We found she was carrying the issue on my behalf, because our animals love us enough to do this for us. After my session I couldn't believe the improvement, for my dog and the dynamic that was causing the problem. It was a surprising transformation that occurred on all levels, in ways I never expected. Sadly my darling 15yo dog eventually passed with cancer, however Joanna's work also helped ease us through the transition"
KD, Cairns 2016
"He is doing really well now. The surrogate tapping has helped and now he is much less anxious. Thanks so much. "
CV, Cairns, 2016
"Reclaim Your Life" Meditation CD
"After the consultation he was much less jumpy with noises. He also drank from the bowl, now that I’d changed it from the stainless steel one. At home we listened to the meditation CD, holding hands, and he jumped once when the music started up again, but we both enjoyed it."
CJ Cairns 2015
"I’ve listened to the meditation CD repeatedly over the years, and it has helped me to get through life."
PM, Coledale 2016
Australian Bush Flower Essences
"When I tailor made the essences for the cat, it hit the spot immediately. She immediately calmed down. I am back to get some more."
Client, RSPCA Darwin
"Normally he would fly into a panic with thunderstorms, but I gave him the drops, and he just went to sleep!"
Client, RSPCA Darwin
I have been using, as oral drops, various flower essences, like Bach's Rescue Remedy (UK),and then the Australian Bush Flower Essences, as I started to work with Australian wildlife. Both have had calming effects on myself and on others, such as when I was doing exams at University, where I managed to stay calm, much to my disbelief. In animals and in people, sometimes these drops have had an astounding effect, where nothing else has worked previously. As with homoeopathy, the individual response varies, but these drops are harmless and can bring a sense of peace to the animal, and to the whole household, as I suggest that everyone has some, in order to clear the air completely. The drops can be made with brandy, or with vinegar as a preservative, so I use apple cider vinegar.
