“You are the last option. If you can’t help us, we will have to put her to sleep…”
Have you ever been told by your veterinarian that there is nothing more they can do about an ailment your dog has? Have you tried “all the things” to relieve chronic allergies to no avail? Or have you completely rearranged your life because your dog’s separation anxiety or reactivity is never getting better?
Dog reflexologist and acupuncturist, Vivian Birlie, has saved countless dogs from being euthanised because they suffered from severe, debilitating issues ranging from arthritis, allergies, and separation anxiety. She has also written the first textbook on dog reflexology and helps people learn how to practice dog reflexology and acupressure through her courses and vet certified education programmes.
In this first part of a two-part conversation, Vivian and I chat about all things reflexology. She gives an overview of what reflexology actually is, how she adapted this healing modality for dogs, and how our dogs can heal from reflexology. You’ll also hear Vivian talk about two incredible examples of the benefits of reflexology. First, she shares how Ludwig, a rescue dog suffering from extreme separation anxiety, found relief and calm through reflexology. And secondly, Vivian shares the personal experience she had with her own dog, Sally, who faced amputation after conventional approaches to her crippling arthritis failed. Get your tissues ready, because if you’re anything like me, you just might well up listening to this story! But the good news is, that through a regular practice of reflexology, Vivian saved Sally’s leg!
Part two of this conversation will be released on December 27th, where Vivian and her beautiful pup, Foibos, will do some practical deomonstrations of how to actually do reflexology and acupressure on your own dog to help with some common ailments, including blocked anal glands. She will share more incredible client success stories, and how you can easily add reflexology to your holistic approach to caring for your dog. So stay tuned for that!

0:20 Intro
07:15 Welcoming Vivian Birlie - What is dog reflexology and how did Vivian develop the first textbook for it?
16:50 The principles of reflexology and how it works with the nervous system
30:15 The effects of stress on the nervous system and dis-ease
31:40 The meridians in the body (Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective) - a holistic way of thinking
36:00 When we mirror our dog’s illness
41:50 How can reflexology help your dog?
42:45 The story of Ludwig: how reflexology helped with his extreme separation anxiety
48:25 The story of Sally: how reflexology helped her arthritis and saved her leg from amputation
57:10  The story of Kiwi and her extreme allergies: Vivian was her last option
Thank you so much for listening!I hope you enjoyed it! I Come on over to Instagram @MysticDogMama and share with me your biggest takeaway from this episode! I would love to hear from you.
And while you’re at it, please subscribe to the podcast, and let me know what other topics you’d like me to cover to help you live your best Mystic Dog Mama (or Papa!) life with your own pup!
You can watch part two of this conversation on the Mystic Dog Mama YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@mysticdogmama

You can learn more about Vivian, her books, and her courses on her website:
https://sanocanis.com/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sanocanis
Vivian’s book “Dog Reflexology and Acupressure for Owners” is available on Amazon.
This episode is supported by Aspirationery, which in full transparency, is another project of mine. At Aspirationery, we make books, notebooks, and stationery to help you become all you aspire to be! You can check out our shadow work & moon magic journals and workbooks on Instagram ⁠@Aspirationery⁠ and on ⁠Amazon⁠.
DISCLAIMER: Neither Vivian Birlie nor Dr Alexia Mellor are veterinarians, and the information provided in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.