Bowenwork for Animals

Bowenwork for Equine & Small Animals

All animal owners and professionals can utilize Animal Bowenwork to benefit pets in their own care or with animals in their professional practice.  Bowenwork can improve the general well-being of family pets as well as the performance and proficiency of animals in competition or working animals.

woman holding a dog while doing Bowenwork
Bowenwork® for animals is a gentle and effective soft tissue technique that can benefit our four-legged companions. Much like the human Bowenwork protocol, the philosophy of working with animals utilizes a “less is more” approach.

Studies show that the electromagnetic field of dogs and horses is much larger than that of humans making them far more sensitive to changes in biofield energy.  Without preconceived notions, their brains quickly respond to signals sent by the gentle Bowen moves and can quickly shift into the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, where all healing takes place.  Animal Bowenwork can address:

  • Musculoskeletal pain and imbalance    
  • Neurological concerns
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Digestive complaints   
  • Fascial restrictions/ scar tissue
  • Emotional distress and trauma
  • Performance issues
  • Recovery from injury or illness

Why Learn Animal Bowenwork

All animal owners and professionals can utilize Animal Bowenwork to benefit pets in their own care or with animals in their professional practice.  Bowenwork can improve the general well-being of family pets as well as improve performance and proficiency for animals in competition or working animals.   Animal care professionals report that utilizing Bowenwork, as part of a comprehensive wellness plan, can facilitate more effective and longer lasting changes for the animal, resulting in less effort required to achieve the desired results.   Consider adding animal Bowen to your services if you are in an animal-related profession such as:

  • Veterinarian    
  • Osteopath
  • Chiropractor
  • Farrier/ trimmer
  • Equine dentist
  • Animal rescue /rehabilitation professional
  • Animal groomer
  • Trainer
Woman holding a goat and doing Bowen work

Do I Need Previous Bowenwork Training?

Students are not required to have previous training in the human Bowen technique.  The animal Bowenwork curriculum includes a hands-on introduction to Bowenwork on the first day of class for students who are new to the American Bowen Academy. Students learn the basic principles of the human Bowen protocol, along with five modified human Bowenwork procedures, which they practice and refine on each other during class. They will then apply the technique to the animals in the following days.

Education Tracks

Options are available to accommodate the needs and interests of learners at all levels.  Introductory classes provide the basic knowledge and skills for the pet owner/ enthusiast. More in-depth classes leading to certification and continuing education are for those who wish to follow a professional track.  Certification track classes are currently in development.

two women discussing Bowenwork next to a horse

Level One Introduction to Equine Bowen

This class is intended to introduce the foundation knowledge and skills of the Bowenwork technique for horse owners and equine enthusiasts/professionals seeking to develop tools to improve the overall wellness of their horses. It will provide learners with a basic understanding and hands-on practice to apply the technique to the equine body for enhanced well-being and relaxation. Completion of this class is the first step in the Equine Bowen education track. This class is intended for experienced horse owners/ professionals and is not appropriate for novices.  Prospective students must have horse-handling experience including lifting all four feet.

Level One Equine Bowen procedures include:

  • hindquarters 
  • saddle area
  • neck
  • scapula
  • shoulder
  • foreleg
  • girth area
  • stifle 
  • TMJ
  • Hamstring

Equine Bowen Level II Intermediate skills

Pre-requisites: Introduction to Equine Bowenwork I.

This class is intended to build on the knowledge and skills from the Introduction to Equine Bowen class. Students will refine their skills and accuracy and will be introduced to additional procedures and knowledge. Written documentation of sessions will be introduced as students begin to complete case studies. A review of anatomical structures and function will be explored in greater detail. Assessment techniques will be introduced to allow students to begin developing and utilizing a “less is more” strategy to develop a plan of care. Completion of this course is the second step in the Equine Bowen Specialist education track.

Level II Equine Bowenwork procedures include:

  • Review and refinement of Level I skills
  • Advanced Low Back procedure
  • Advanced Upper Back procedure
  • Advanced Neck procedure 
  • Advanced Hamstring procedure
  • Upper Respiratory and throat procedure
  • Subscapularis procedure
  •  Pectoralis procedure
  • Hyoid apparatus and TMJ procedure
  • Respiratory/ diaphragm procedure
  • Advanced stifle procedure
  • Hock procedure
Woman doing Bowenwork on a horse

*Disclaimer

Animal Bowenwork is not a substitute for veterinary care and/or medical diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. Bowenwork instructors and practitioners are not licensed veterinarians and/or health practitioners and do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a qualified Veterinary professional in regard to all healthcare matters for your animals.

All Classes Include:

  • Palpation and anatomical landmarks
  • Similarities and comparisons with animal and human anatomy
  • Anatomy terminology and identification of structures
  • Review and refinement of skills
  • Problem-solving and alternative approaches
  • Safety considerations
  • Contraindications
  • Scope of practice, ethics, and legal considerations
  • Biosecurity
  • Communication with clients and other equine professionals

**Level III and IV Equine Bowen classes for professional certification are currently in development

**Small animal Bowenwork courses are currently in development with an online Intro to Small Animal Bowenwork class option for those with previous Bowen training through the American Bowen Academy.