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Traveling with Pets: Natural Anxiety Relief for Animals with Jin Shin Jyutsu

Travel Calmer, Travel Together: Using Jin Shin Jyutsu to Ease Your Pet's Anxiety

Traveling with your pets can be a wonderful adventure, and it can also be a source of stress and anxiety for your furry companions. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip, flying to a new destination, or taking a train ride, it’s important to ensure your pets are calm and comfortable throughout the journey. Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ), an ancient Japanese healing art, offers a natural way to relieve anxiety in animals, making travel less stressful for both you and your pets. In this blog, we’ll share tips and practices for using JSJ to help your animals stay relaxed and at ease while traveling.


Preparing for the Journey


Before hitting the road or heading to the airport, take some time to prepare your pet for the journey ahead. Here’s how to get started with Jin Shin Jyutsu:


1. Create a Calm Environment:
Choose a quiet, comfortable space where your pet feels safe. This could be a familiar room at home or a calm area in your vehicle.


2. Relax Your Hands:
Make sure your hands are warm and relaxed. Approach your pet calmly, speaking to them in a soothing tone to set a peaceful atmosphere.


3. The Initial Centering Hold:
Begin by placing one hand gently on the center of your pet’s back between the shoulder blades and the other hand on the center of their breastbone. Hold this position for several breaths, helping your pet recognize and relax into the practice.


During the Journey


Once the trip begins, continue to use Jin Shin Jyutsu to maintain your pet’s calm and comfort. Here are some practices to apply while traveling:


1. Safety Energy Locks (SELs):
Move through the Safety Energy Locks methodically. Hold each position for a series of breaths, allowing your pet to release tension and harmonize their energy flow. For example, you can place your hands on the top of their head or the base of their tail, holding each position for a few breaths.


2. Observe Reactions:
Pay attention to signs of relaxation, such as deep sighs, muscle twitches, softened eyes, or even gurgling stomachs. These indicate that your pet is responding positively and letting go of stress.


3. Gentle Strokes:
If your pet seems particularly anxious, use gentle, calming strokes from head to tail. This can help reinforce the relaxing effects of Jin Shin Jyutsu and provide additional comfort.


Tips for Specific Modes of Travel


Car Travel:

  • Take regular breaks to allow your pet to stretch and relieve themselves.
  • Use a comfortable carrier or harness to keep them secure.
  • Play soft, calming music to create a soothing environment.


Air Travel:

  • Familiarize your pet with their travel carrier before the flight.
  • Place a piece of clothing with your scent in the carrier for added comfort.
  • Use JSJ holds before boarding and during the flight as needed.


Train Travel:

  • Choose a quiet car if possible, to minimize noise and disruptions.
  • Keep your pet close to you to provide reassurance.
  • Apply JSJ holds periodically to maintain their calm throughout the journey.


Embracing Jin Shin Jyutsu in Your Travel Routine


Incorporating Jin Shin Jyutsu into your travel routine can make a significant difference in your pet’s travel experience. Regular practice helps maintain their energy balance and reduces anxiety, making journeys more enjoyable for both you and your animal companion. As you become more familiar with these practices, you’ll likely find that your pet eagerly anticipates their JSJ sessions, enjoying the peaceful connection it fosters.


For more detailed guidance, practical demonstrations, and additional resources, explore jsjforyouranimal.com. Explore our workshops, video tutorials, PDF guides, and live Q&A sessions to deepen your understanding and practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu for your beloved animal companions.





Natural Anxiety Relief for Traveling Pets with Jin Shin Jyutsu
Natural Anxiety Relief for Traveling Pets with Jin Shin Jyutsu

Learn More About Jin Shin Jyutsu for Your Animal Companions 

Aries and Storms

By Adele Leas • February 4, 2025
One of the things that makes my soul sing the most is when I have unscheduled time at Alaqua Animal Refuge to just BE with the animals and see who is open to - calling for - some loving Jin Shin Jyutsu. This last Friday I was given one of those gifts. Alaqua Animal Refuge is a beautiful no-kill facility founded in 2007. Located on 100-acres in Freeport, FL, it offers second chances for abused, neglected and abandoned animals from the Emerald Coast and beyond. I have worked there, sharing and teaching Jin Shin Jyutsu for over 15 years. Tens of thousands of animals have passed through this loving place and I have been privileged to work with so many. Each one carves out a little place in my heart. Sometimes we get large numbers of animals from a severe abuse case. Sweet Aries was from one of those cases. Most of the other dogs who came in with him last year have found their people, but this sweet - and in his own way - perfect guy is still waiting. On Friday, while I was working in the Dog Adoption Center, a really big storm came up with crazy winds, and driving rain. I knew it was time to settle in with Aries. I made sure to be calm and centered before going into his run. He greeted me with a full body wag but he was also visibly shaking and in distress. Dogs have heightened senses of smell and hearing, allowing them to detect changes in barometric pressure and the way odors travel when that happens. Dogs may show signs of anxiety and panic by cowering, panting, howling, pacing and sniffing the air. You may see them exhibit sinus issues and joint pain when a storm comes up. Jin Shin Jyutsu to the rescue! It is a perfect, usable and immediate aid for this situation. I sat down on the side of the dog bed as he quickly cuddled into my side. He made it so easy to naturally share the work. Not all dogs can handle this level of contact immediately, but he was eager for me to wrap my arms around him and tuck him in with the opposite side Safety Energy Lock 26, up where the front leg attaches to the body. My other hand naturally could reach under his body and hold his Safety Energy Lock 13, at the center of the breast bone. This hold is all about our “feeling” nature, our respiration and unconditional love. We stayed this way for about 20 minutes, while he stretched out on his bed and felt safety. Whenever I get to BE like this, at just the right moment with a rescue animal, I feel like my life is really on purpose. It is so easy to start to learn to share, so life-changing when offered. And brings so much joy to all involved! ** If Aries looks like he is right for you, please reach out to me! I would happily do all I can to make that happen. Remember, I deliver! Here is what is written on his chart: Aries is a mixed breed, 4 year old male. House trained, selective with other dogs, (no cats). Aries, once timid and scared, has transformed into a beacon of hope and determination. Despite missing all of his teeth and an unimaginable past, he has learned to love and be a dog. He is a true example of Resilience. He is a loving boy who deserves a second chance!

Avoiding a costly vet visit

By Adele Leas • January 8, 2025
Early on New Year’s day I was just getting up and doing the most important thing I could do… feeding the cat her first breakfast of the day/year! Suddenly I heard a crashing sound and my Scirroco came limping out of the bedroom, putting no weight on his front right paw. Now my rescue fella is around 13 years old but he is a real athlete, part lab and part whippet and usually fast as the wind. He was clearly in pain, so everything else got put on hold and we got comfy down with him in the best dog bed and me on a blanket next to him. What had he done? Where exactly was the injury? Luckily this beautiful Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu does not require all of those answers before you can start. I put one hand up behind his right ear, the other hand on his right 13, above the breast bone. This holds calms and centers and clears the energy of both right legs. I watched carefully how he shifted his body, and I held different Safety Energy Locks that he seemed to ask for. Understanding WHO the SEL’s are and what their jobs are makes you able to help your animals in ways they are open to in almost any situation! We worked about 3 times a day for around 20 minutes at a time for 3 days. He made steady improvement till he was back to his normal super-fast self. Because he knows that this is what I do, he comes and asks for a session when he is ready. This is what I mean when I say that JSJ is really an Art of living with animals.

How to Calm Your Animal Companion During a Storm Using Jin Shin Jyutsu

By Adele Leas • October 23, 2024
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Exciting News from Our JSJ Program!

By Adele Leas • August 23, 2024
We're delighted to share some dog news! By now, many of you may have heard about the program I started through Alaqua Animal Refuge , where a group of volunteers and I take shelter dogs to a senior living center for a fun-filled JSJ love fest. Well, one particularly perfect sweet mid-aged, mid-sized dog came with us for every single visit. She was so good-natured with dogs, residents, and even cars. Every month I hoped she would not join us again because she had left the refuge. But each month, there she was… wagging and ready to show all the other dogs just what to do. I kept writing up stories about her and posting pictures. Still she sat for 8 long months… Till the magic happened! A family read the write-ups about her and set up a “meet and greet.” They took her home for a “sleepover”… and adopted her yesterday! I am crying even as I write this. This is how it happens… love triumphs one animal at a time! ~ Adele Leas 

Alaqua Dogs: A Tradition of Joy and Healing at Senior Living Facilities

By Adele Leas • August 20, 2024
Monthly Visits That Bring Comfort and Connection For years, Adele Leas, founder of Jin Shin Jyutsu for Your Animal Companions and a renowned practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ), has led a heartwarming initiative at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Sanctuary, FL. This program beautifully combines the healing power of JSJ with the companionship of rescue dogs. What started as a dream has evolved into a beloved monthly tradition. Each month, Adele, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, takes a select group of dogs from the refuge to visit a nearby senior living facility . Residents eagerly look forward to these visits, finding great comfort and joy in the dogs' presence. The dogs thrive on the residents' affection, becoming more social and adoptable. Adele also uses these moments to connect with the residents, deepening their bond with the animals. The impact of these visits has been profound, creating lasting memories and fostering deep connections. A particularly touching moment was when the residents asked to make homemade treats for the dogs during their cooking class—a beautiful gesture that exemplifies the spirit of this program. This longstanding tradition reflects the deep healing and connection that Jin Shin Jyutsu fosters between humans and animals. To learn more about how JSJ can enhance the well-being of your animal companions, or to explore classes, videos, and other resources, simply explore the rest of our website. Visit Alaqua Animal Refuge to learn more about the refuge and its mission.

Easing Shelter Pet Anxiety: How Jin Shin Jyutsu Aids Adoption

By Adele Leas • August 20, 2024
Shelter pets often face significant anxiety due to the overwhelming and unfamiliar environment, making it challenging for them to relax and connect with potential adopters.
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