09/01/2026
When I hear a prospective client tell me, “My animal doesn’t like to be touched” that is a huge red flag for me. Not that the animal is dangerous, but that they are defensive of something that hurts them and trying to hide it.
I tend to specialize in sensitive and reactive animals for this reason. In my opinion, they are the ones that need me the most. Pain or discomfort is the primary cause of aggression or overreaction. I won’t list all the case studies but I’ve worked with horses that can’t stand tied, won’t be mounted for riding, dogs that ask for scratches and then turn on the person petting them out of nowhere. In each case, inflammation, pain, or injury was the core cause. These take time to unravel, especially because these animals have been in a state of heightened stress for a long period of time.
It is absolutely possible to reduce these behaviors over time with the right practitioner who will go slowly and focus first on the areas of least discomfort to build trust. In fact, these are some of the most rewarding clients to work with.
