Pet Protect's Pippa saved by doggie behaviourist

How Border Collie Pippa's acute noise phobia was finally cured by behavioural therapy funded by pet insurance provider, Pet Protect.

Living on Dartmoor would seem doggie heaven but for Border Collie Pippa a noisy neighbour led to a stressful phobia. Owner Andrew McCracken has had Pippa since a puppy. He said: "One day we were up on the moor walking. There was a training exercise for the rescue team and their dogs and a helicopter working with them appeared out of the fog. It was so close the pilot was at eye level and it was very noisy. Pippa was so scared she bolted and I couldn't find her anywhere. Eventually I made my way back to the car and she had hidden flat under it."

Andrew thought little more of the incident but from then on whenever there was a loud noise, a lorry going past the house or a plane flying overhead, Pippa would react very badly. He added: "It got so bad that I was frightened to be apart from her. She would literally climb the walls, pull the curtains down and try and squeeze out the top window to escape the noise. She hurt herself a couple of times so our vet was aware of the scale of the problem too."

Pippa was put on medication, herbal and more conventional but with variable results. Finally, Pippa was referred to a practice specialising in behavioural therapy.

Andrew said: "By then I was really desperate. She was going to hurt herself badly soon in her panic and I was thinking I might have to try and rehome her somewhere quieter or consider putting her to sleep. The behavioural therapist was the last resort. She gave us lots of pointers about how I could help her cope with noise by playing music, the radio and CDs of opera, trains, even hailstones and lightening at different times of the day and increasing the noise levels. We used an indoor crate covered in a blanket as a safe area for her to retreat to and I used my clothes with my scent to reassure her. I had been a bit sceptical but it was worth a try and I just can't believe the results. It has really changed her life and maybe even saved it."

"I have always had collies and one of my previous dogs sadly had cancer and despite protracted treatment had to be put to sleep. So when I got Pippa as a puppy it made sense to get pet insurance for her and not to go for the cheapest policy, but one that might actually prove useful if she got ill but I never thought I would have been claiming for something like this!"

"It has been a long process and we have been back and forth to the vets but it was worth it and the Pet Protect policy paid for all the special consultations. I would recommend anyone spending a bit more on a policy that actually does what it should - help make your pet better whatever happens!"

All Pet Protect policies offer as standard cover for behavioural therapy when recommended by a vet, as well as other alternative therapies including acupuncture and hydrotherapy. Pet Protect's Henrietta Corcoran says "Alternative therapies such as behavioural therapy are becoming increasingly common as owners look for a more natural approach to pet healthcare".

Pet Protect
www.petprotect.co.uk

Last updated: 04.04.08