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FOUNDATION WORKSHOP | ADVANCED WORKSHOPS | GENERAL INFORMATION REGISTRATION | TESTIMONIALS

This extraordinary series of four 1-day workshops build on the Foundation Workshop . The Herbs for Animals Advanced Workshops explore more deeply how herbs can help to keep your animals healthy and happy.

The series comprises of 4 workshops, held on a monthly basis. Each workshop deals with a different theme, while your knowledge and skills build as we progress through the workshops. The themes for the workshops are as follows:

· Workshop 1 - digestion
· Workshop 2 - mobility
· Workshop 3 - skin, ears & coat
· Workshop 4 - behaviour & mind-body connection

Each workshop has time allocated to fascinating lectures to cover new material, searching discussion groups and highly enjoyable, hands-on practical sessions.

The learning continues at home between workshops, with motivating coursework (not compulsory but highly recommended to get the most out of the workshops). This includes absorbing recommended reading, exciting gardening projects and creating some wonderful herbal preparations in the kitchen.

An email group provides a forum for sharing, discussion, support and ongoing discovery between workshops and beyond.

These Workshops are for all animal owners interested in pursuing a deeper interest in herbs and the nature of healing. The course is designed to be transformative. Participants are invited to take a journey with their animals to the next level of health, happiness and full self-expression.

The 1-day Foundation Workshop is a prerequisite for doing the Advanced Course.

The workshops are very hands-on, and you spend a large part of each day working with the herbs directly and getting to know them well. In these practical sessions you will:

· Use your senses to discover the healing properties of herbs
· Go outside to identify and harvest herbs in the countryside to make delicious, healthful herbal infusions and decoctions. (Bring along your wellies!)
· Make a variety of wonderful herbal preparations for your animals including creams, sprays, tonics, gruels, and poultices. Preparations will be specific to the section being covered in the workshop.

All materials for the practical sessions are provided and the cost is included in the cost of the workshop.

The theory sessions are usually held in the morning, while our brains are still fresh! Here we explore herbs and preventative animal healthcare. We cover 12 herbs in detail during the course. These 12 herbs are useful, very safe and fascinating to learn about. We present all the information required for you to confidently begin using herbs to support the health and longevity of your four-legged friends.

During the workshops you receive a sample and a reference card for each of the 12 herbs we cover. These samples, along with the hand-made creams and sprays, combine to form your very own Herbal Starter & First-aid Kit.

Throughout the series we explore ideas around health and healing, usually in a friendly discussion format. As we get back to nature, digging up herbs to make herbal teas, we will also be digging deeper into our own minds! What is the nature of healing? What is it to be healthy? Does my health affect the health of my animals? We will be aiming to get right down to the root of these big questions by the end of the 4th workshop.

An outline of what is covered on each workshop follows:

WORKSHOP 1 - Digestion
In this workshop, you learn how herbs can keep your animals healthy on the inside. Herbs can help an animal's digestion to function at its best, and help prevent disease. When they have minor digestive complaints, like excessive flatulence, travel sickness, or an upset stomach, herbal remedies can offer gentle, first-aid support. Practical sessions will see us making a range of wonderful herbal preparations including herb balls and gruels. In the theory and discussion sections we look at some fascinating introductory topics, learn about the first of the 12 key herbs on the list, and begin discussing intriguing ideas on health and healing.

WORKSHOP 2 - Mobility
Whether your animal is a young athlete or a senior citizen, you want them to be energetic, lively and playful. In this workshop we look at how herbs can help prevent frailty, injury and mobility problems. We learn how herbal first-aid remedies can benefit minor injuries. In the theory and discussion times, we begin digesting more complex topics on health and healing, and exploring a few more of our key herbs and adding them to our Herbal Starter Kit. In the practical sessions, we create a number of extraordinary tonics, liniments and balms that are then added to our first aid kit.

WORKSHOP 3 - Skin, Ears & Coat
In this workshop, we look at how herbs can help keep your dog's skin and coat vibrantly healthy. We explore the use of herbs as nature's first-aid remedies for minor skin irritations and injuries like cuts and scrapes. In the practical, hands-on sessions we create a variety of first-aid herbal poultices, sprays and creams for you to add to your Herbal First-aid Kit. The theory section covers more key herbs and we look at a number of topics on skin and herbs. In the discussion section, we continue our discussion around the big questions on health and healing.

WORKSHOP 4 - Behaviour & Mind-Body Connection
A peaceful mind and joyful heart is essential for a happy, healthy animal. Poor nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle play a role, but mental and emotional stress is a big factor. In this final workshop you discover how herbs can help to keep your animal's immune system in great shape. We explore herbs as first-aid remedies for emotional upsets, and times of stress. In the practical sessions, we create wonderful herbal elixirs and calming space-sprays. The discussion sessions take us the final steps in exploring the nature of health and healing. In the theory section, we cover final herb-related topics and learn about the last of the amazing 12 herbs on our list.

During the 4-month series, there is 'coursework' to complete at home. There is prescribed reading on various topics related to herbs, health and healing. There is some manual homework ('homefun') too, like planting herbs, making herbal preparations, and of course getting to know your herbs outside and being able to identify them. All coursework is highly recommended, but not required. It should be fun and enjoyable and add tremendous value to your entire experience of the workshop series.

All participants will be signed up to an email group, to keep us all in touch between workshops. This will allow us to ask questions, share experiences, offer support and inspire each other! You will be signed up the moment you register so the exchange can begin. Working together as a group, sharing ideas and experiences, and supporting each other, not only enhances the whole experience of the workshops, but is an integral part of the journey to health. The email group is intended to allow the learning and the fun to continue between sessions and long after the course. [Check that you have provided your email address on the registration form, and please make it easily legible.]

R850 per workshop, payable a workshop in advance.
R3000 for the series of 4 workshops if paying full amount in advance (Save R400).

WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN
· Four intensive, information-packed, fun-filled workshops
· 4 months of coursework and ongoing tutoring
· Working knowledge of 12 herbs to keep your animals happy and healthy, including recipes, dosages and indications
· All material, herbs, bottles, labels, etc, for the practical sessions
· A full set of course notes, pen and notepad at each workshop
· A comprehensive resource list for all things herbal
· A range of hand-made herbal preparations for your animal companions(along with recipes, instructions so you can do it all at home)
· Herbal Starter Kit (12 herbs) for Animals
· Herbal First Aid Kit for Animals
· Many new ideas about health and healing
· Group email membership to continue the learning at home between workshops and beyond
· All you need to know to create a medicinal and culinary herb garden at home for your animals
· A transformational experience of learning and growing with a group of like-minded animal lovers
· A certificate of attendance
· A group of new friends and a huge new interest in herbs!

NB - The workshops are NOT intended to teach you to treat sick animals with herbs. The workshops focus on promoting health and longevity of animals, and first-aid treatment of minor ailments. The workshops are also NOT intended to provide training to treat animals with herbs. The courses are intended for animal owners who would like to include herbs as part of larger focus on animal wellness.

GENERAL INFORMATION

For information on dates, venues, daily schedule and accommodation see the General Information section.

REGISTRATION

Places are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first-come-first-served basis. Please register early to avoid disappointment. For details see the Registration section.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

If you would like to attend a workshop, but can't make the date or travel the long distance, then register your interest and send us an email with your contact details and address. Workshops are planned for different centres across South Africa and we will email you the dates as soon they become available. Please indicate in the email if you would be willing to host a workshop in your area.

FOUNDATION WORKSHOP | ADVANCED WORKSHOP | GENERAL INFORMATION REGISTRATION | TESTIMONIALS

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