Case Study: Mildred – Terrier, 11 Years Old
Date: 21 August 2024
Guardian(s): Verity Ramsden-Hare (Vero & Bo)
Location: Tunbridge Wells
Diet: Eukanuba Grain-Free Biscuits + Naturediet Meat
Presenting Concerns:
- Red, inflamed skin — particularly on the stomach, legs, elbows, and ears — often aggravated by heat and dust, especially during summer.
- Rapid breathing, frequent itching, and signs of skin discomfort.
- Deep-rooted nervous anxiety, often expressed through chewing her own skin and reactivity with other dogs
- Occasional itchy eyes, seemingly linked to allergic flare-ups.
Relevant History:
Mildred came to her current owners at age four with a severe skin condition and notable anxiety. She had previously been treated with regular tablets to suppress scratching and steroids to help heal scabs. Her coat was sparse — with no fur on her belly, legs, or chest — due to long-term irritation and previous environmental neglect. Her anxious itching behaviour appears to be habitual and may serve as self-soothing.
Current Medications:
- Simparica (monthly) + Droncit (bi-annually)
- Isaderm (as needed for flare-ups)
- Colloidal Silver (When needed for skin irritation)
Self-Selection Session
Key Plant Nutrients Selected by Millie:
-
Green Clay: Used topically for its antifungal, antibacterial, and detoxifying properties. Dusted on Mildred’s belly and elbows.
-
Spirulina: Offered in water. Mildred drank some but didn’t finish the full amount.
Key Essential Oils Selected by Millie:
- German Chamomile (A): Anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and calming.
- Peppermint (A): Supports relief from skin irritation; noted for its heating/cooling action.
- Bergamot (A): Known to support anxiety-related skin issues and general emotional balance.
- Roman Chamomile (AA): Especially relevant for anxiety and compulsive behaviours; offered at onset of scratching.
- Rose Otto (AA): Known to be deeply calming, often selected by animals with a history of trauma or high anxiety.
Reactions Observed During Session: Mildred showed a very consistent and notable response to all her key oils, displaying; relaxed body posture – deep, steady breathing – softened eyes and visible calmness.
Roman Chamomile appeared to have the deepest effect — her breathing slowed significantly and she became visibly more relaxed, almost transported. At the end of the session, Rose Otto was introduced and seemed to be received with particular affection.
After the session, Mildred stood up slowly to follow me to the door but appeared deeply relaxed. Her guardians reported that she slept for hours afterwards and was noticeably quieter and more settled the next day. Her demeanour was described as “shell-shocked — but in a good way.”
I left Millie’s guardians with mini bottles of her key oils and instructions on when/how to offer them. They continued to offer the oils as needed and reported that Millie was ‘a changed dog’ and they had even started taking her to the pub with them, where she remained calm and non-reactive with other dogs.
Testimonial from Guardian:
“Since having the treatment with Liz, Millie is a changed creature! She’s calmer and so much less reactive with other dogs. She now falls asleep comfortably in relaxed, open positions rather than curled up and hiding. She actively seeks snuggles and just seems so much more content in herself. Her anxious energy has really reduced, and her skin — particularly the rash on her tummy — is no longer hot, red, or angry. It feels calmer and less sweaty to the touch.
Thank you, Liz!”
— Verity, Tunbridge Wells
