The most crucial stage is actually before most people bring their new puppy home or at least before they have finished their initial inocululations. These early weeks are incredibly important and the most formative in how that puppy will relate to the world.  Puppies that have been born outside and kept caged and shut off with little interaction with the outside world which frequently happens with puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders, will have great difficulty forming appropriate relationships with humans and other dogs and animals, often being fearful and anxious. Puppies weaned too young or those that have had a lack of proper maternal bonding will often carry a deep anxiety that may present as separation anxiety, over attachment, nervousness and fear based aggression.

When considering having a puppy it’s really important to do your home work beforehand. Are your circumstances really suited to having a puppy? Are you out at work for long hours, are their children in your home and if so how old are they? What time and commitment do you have? Does the breed and type of dog you want suit your lifestyle. Assuming you are sure having a puppy come into your home as a family member is what you want and you know you can meet that puppy’s needs for life then it’s time to look for a reputable breeder. One of the best ways is through recommendation. You need to do your home work here too. A good breeder will want to do their homework about you too, making sure their puppy will be well matched to your home life and personality. A good breeder would want to do their best to ensure their puppies have loving homes for life and will probably grill you over your circumstances and motivations to have one of their puppies. Speaking to them on the phone you should get a feel for them and they you.

When visiting the litter of puppies for the first time it’s important to note how they are kept. The bitch should look in good healthy condition and have a nice temperament. If at all possible see if you can see the stud dog. If he’s from another kennel ask about him and see if they have photos, see if they have any related adults you can meet so you can assess their temperaments. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ideally the puppies would be in doors, but for practical reasons especially with larger breeds they may be in kennels or an out building. Either way their living space should be clean and dry, with plenty of toys and things for the puppies to interact with. The Whelping box if they are still in that should allow the bitch to get in and out easily so she can have some time out and get a drink. Even if they are kennelled outside they should be brought in doors to habituate them to indoor things. Once old enough they should be able to go in a play pen outside regularly. The more experiences they are habituated to gently with positive fun outcomes and not over faced and frightened the more well balanced they will be and retain their curiosity, confidence and seeking behaviour.

If you are able to see the puppies more than once that can be good so you see how their individual characters are developing. A good breeder will provide you with a puppy pack to take home with your new puppy. Usually with guidance notes on helping them settle in the early days, notes on worming and when to vaccinate, some of their usual food and often a free cover note for a months insurance which you then have the option of continuing. If this isn’t something they include it’s advisable to insure your pup as soon as possible.

Being as that crucial period for habituation and socialisation where puppies associations and how they will relate to the big wide world are fairly set by age 12 weeks and in reality the vaccines usually start at 9 or 10 weeks with the 2nd one at 12 weeks it makes it difficult to give your puppy the life experiences you might want if you can’t take them out due to the vaccine course not being finished. However there is still much you can do at home. Many vets practices hold puppy parties for puppies between 9 and 12 weeks where the floors will have been specially disinfected. These are great ways to let your puppy meet other puppies, people probably to travel by car. Usually the nurse running the party will advise new owners about worming, flea treatments, diet and other useful information. At home maybe invite some visitors, establish where the puppy will be sleeping and establish a feeding routine, teach him or her about being groomed, interact and play with your puppy, introduce children and other pets carefully, hoovers, TV other noises, the garden etc. If small enough maybe carry them so you can take them for short trips outside. You can introduce a daily routine of brushing and get him used to wearing a soft collar. Try to get your puppy used to new experiences gently and carefully without over facing them and causing anxiety and fear. Make things fun and hopefully you will be building a loving foundation for a great relationship with a Happy well adjusted dog.

Flower Essences can help a great deal when you first bring a puppy home. Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, Alaskan Soul Support or Animal Care are a good choice as to might be Aspen and Mimulus if the puppy is fearful and Walnut for helping with change. Honeysuckle for home sickness and missing the litter mates and mum. Alaskan Fireweed is for changes from the Alaskan system.

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Over the years I have hosted many workshops with some wonderful guest speakers and teachers. I am now able to share my own offerings in this gentle, peaceful space as well as teachings from others. The themes are varied, but all are designed to offer a fun learning experience that allows us to still our busy minds, relax and re connect to nature with holistic therapies, meditation and mindfulness workshops, arts and crafts like basketry or animal based subjects.

Past and current courses can be viewed within the blog page and details of dates, content and booking can be found in the shop.

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Hello and welcome, I am Jane Gilbey and this page is about what makes me, me! I am passionate about nature, horses and other animals. From a young child I have always loved to be out doors and to be in the presence of animals. As a family we always had dogs and cats when I was young and thanks to my mums love of nature and all the long, long walks to woods, beaches and parks that she took me, I naturally grew up with a strong love and connection with the natural world.

Every school project was about animals and I loved doing nature scrap books and projects. I didn’t really have a proper introduction to horses until I was around eleven. Once started I was hooked. Then every school essay or project was about horses and I’d be told off for day dreaming, gazing out of the window imagining I was watching or actually riding cantering through meadows and jumping over any fences that got in the way. Even long car journeys would go quite fast as I’d be in my own world flying along side the car on a horse.

I can also remember as a young child making Rose water by putting Rose petals in a bowl of water so I think the flowers were calling me to remember how to make essences even back then.  I want to be able to enable people to connect with horses on a deep level, to feel grass under their feet and connect with nature through the flowers and trees with essences.

My Training, Experience and Work

Most of my working life I have been drawn to working with animals and it is also my greatest wish to help them with the gifts I have learnt.

I have always been an animal lover and have had many pets over the years.  Like any horse and pony mad girl I craved to just be near horses and would do stable chores for the chance of a ride or just to be around them. When I left school and got my first job I finally saved up enough to buy my own horse. Some friends of my dad had a mare for sale. When I saw her I was just blown away. She was an Arabian horse and was a teenage girls dream. She ignited my passion for this beautiful, gentle, amazingly intelligent breed. These sensitive horses have led me down a path of Natural Horsemanship and Holistic therapies.

My work has included working with horses and children in my early career then at a veterinary surgery for 9 years.

During my time with the Veterinary practice I began training and qualified as a Bach Flower Practitioner. I then went on to become an Animal Practitioner.  I completed my training at the Bach Centre in Oxfordshire and then the Natural Animal Centre in Wales. Holistic therapies have been a passion for many years since and I have gone on to study many other modalities for people and animals.

My Vision for Brook Farm

I have enjoyed some wonderful courses over the years leading to personal growth and additional certification. I have for a long time wanted to create a Holistic Centre where people can come and learn some of the wonderful things I have in a natural and tranquil setting, surrounded by animals and nature.

Qualifications and Areas of Study

• Bach Flower Practioner for people and animals
• Diploma in Flower and Vibrational Essences Practitioner
• Certificate Homeobotanic Therapy
• Diploma’s in Meditation and Mindfulness
• Human and Animal Reiki Practitioner to Master level with advanced healing skills
• Equine Touch Practitioner
• Diploma in Equine Psychology
• Diploma in Canine Behaviour and Training

I am an advanced member of the BFVEA (British Flower and Vibrational Essence Association] https://www.bfvea.com/

In addition my CPD for animal therapies has included Animal Communication Training (ACT 1) with James French, Animal Communication with Jo Rose Therapies and wth Madeleine Walker. My CPD is important to me and I have attended CPD courses.  These include some with Jo Rose Therapies that have covered DNA repair, healing with colour and sound and crystals.  Learning new techniques and skills that I may share with my clients is something I am always doing.  I also am qualified in a number of human therapies that I offer to our guests staying at our holiday let.  These include Aromatic Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage and I am currently studying the Alexander Technique.

A Radio Interview on The Nature Connections Show

Below is an interview I did with Sara Estelle Turner on The Nature Connections Show at Natural Health Radio. Here I am talking about Flower Essences and how they can help animals. https://www.facebook.com/NaturalHealthRadio/

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