Animal Hypnosis

Prior to Franz Anton Mesmer’s (acknowledged as the “Father of Hypnosis”) development of the concept of magnetism, which later on evolved to hypnosis, 17th century farmers have already used hypnosis on animals, specifically on their chickens. This was the start of what we know recognize as animal hypnosis.

The first known practice of animal hypnosis was used for the purpose of making hens sit on eggs that are not their own.  During the 1800s, people also tried hypnotizing birds, frogs, dogs and rabbits among others. Even someone in the name of B. Danilewsky took interest and studied the effects and working of hypnosis in animals.

Though there are only a few known facts about animal hypnosis, extensive research is being done on this area. Unlike in humans, there are a few applications where animal hypnosis can be used. One is rendering the animal immobile. Aside from induced immobility, animals may also appear immobile one faced with danger. Immobilization may be done in four (4) ways:

•    Repetitive Stimuli – the animal will be subjected to a certain stimuli which will be repetitively done on it. An example is scratching a dog or cat behind its ears. Notice that once the dog or cat owner scratches it behind the ear, the anima seems to become fixated or motionless in its position, usually while lying down on its stomach.

•    Inversion – the act of abruptly putting the animal in an upside-down position is also known to be an effective way of restraining it. A somewhat similar method known as schechita munakas, where the animal is placed on its back, is being used in Israel in slaughtering kosher and is considered as the most humane form of animal slaughter.”

•    Putting Pressure on Body Parts – in this method, it is believed that putting pressure on an animal’s abdomen will put it in the state of hypnosis.

•    Restraint of motion – this is the fundamental requirement in inducing hypnosis in animals. One will need to make sure that the animal is well-restrained to be able to carry out the three methods mentioned above. The proper restraint of the animal can assure a smooth and hassle-free hypnosis in animals. One example of this is holding down a chicken on the ground for a few minutes and notice that it will be motionless for a few minutes.

Aside from rendering the animal immobile, animal hypnosis is also believed to be effective in training animals.  There are some hypnotherapists who use hypnosis as a means of putting an animal, specifically dogs, in a relaxed and tamable state. Once in this state, it would be easier for the owner to teach his pets tricks. This just proves that if hypnosis is beneficial to humans, so it s to animals.

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