Health in it’s entirety

I have long believed that when it comes to our interactions with other sentient beings such as dogs, there is a connection that runs far deeper than just an animal we perhaps “own” to manipulate for our own self pleasure that is separate from ourselves. I believe that when we bring them into our home, they become connected to us like another member of the family. They pick up on the dynamics, energy and health of the greater family unit and this in turn rubs off on them. This is the cornerstone

As we all know, “health” is not just a physical state, health encompasses mental and physical.

We can not simply focus on trying to manipulate them into how we wish them to behave or try to correct a behavioural issue without ensuring there is understanding and harmony within the other parts that feed into their overall health and well being. One model for understanding this, that aligns perfectly to how I see things, is the Maori concept of “Te Whare Tapa Wha” - the four cornerstones of health.

It is believed that all aspects of the health and well-being are interconnected and therefore can not be separated, like the four walls of the wharenui (meeting house). If one of these is out of balance, missing or damaged in some way, then the person, dog or pack may become unbalanced. This can be desplayed by . Therefore it is imperative that we examine all parts of health to ensure

Mental Health
(Taha hinengaro)

The capacity to communicate, to think and to feel mind and body are inseparable.

Thoughts feelings and emotions are integral components of the body and soul.

This is about how we see ourselves in this universe, our interaction with that which is uniquely Maori and the perception the others have of us.

The emotional being - the behaviour - this is where I see the typical dog training fitting in.

Physical Health
(Taha tinana)

The capacity for physical growth and development.

Good physical health is required for optimal development.

The physical ‘being’ supports the essence and shelters the being from the external environment.

Physical health - simply that…

Spiritual Health
(Taha wairua)

The capacity for faith and wider communication.

Health is related to unseen and unspoken energies.

The spiritual essence of a person is their life force. This determines us as individuals and as a collective, who and what we are, where we have come from and where we are going.

Postural communication with dogs.

Communication / understanding of genetics, breed, drivers

Family Health
(Taha Whanau)

The capacity to belong, to care and to share where individuals are part of wider social systems.

Whanau provides us with the strength to be who we are. This is the link to our ancestors, our ties with the past, the present and the future.

The “pack” the animals/dogs and humans that make up the support network.