by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Nina Valery

Occupation: Tellington TTouch practitioner/ animal behaviour therapist

Bio: Eight years ago, this yummy and articulate Westmount resident was working on a cable documentary about Tellington TTouch and, finding herself so enthralled with the subject, came to the realization that, "I was in the wrong profession." A former professional dancer and archival video documentarian for New Kids on the Block and the mega-talented Marky Mark, she promptly enrolled in a two-year TTouch course, got officially certified and is currently practicing her skills in the Montreal area.

What the hey Tellington TTouch is in the first place: A method of communicating with animals through touch, which allegedly improves the creatures’ health and well-being and gives you a better idea of what Fido is thinking about on those occasions when he is rolling around in feces or lunging at your neck with his teeth bared.

How TTouch works: Nina will employ various light massage/TTouch techniques on your pet, which she says has a calming effect on the animal, puts them "in touch with their body," and allows her to get a better sense of their headspace. From there she can go on to figure out the root of the animal’s problem and, by "making them more comfortable in their environment," go about correcting any unflattering behaviour they might be displaying. "TTouch helps to give them a better sense of self and brings them confidence. When an animal is in this intrigued state it enables it to make more intelligent choices and thereby learn better."

Is TTouch a New-Agey kind of thing in the vein of Therapeutic Touch, but for pets? "Oh God, no!"

One way to calm an animal down when it’s all hyped up: Yawn and look away. "Sometimes the animals themselves will do this with you when they sense that you are in a state. It’s an animal’s way of saying all is right with the world or, ‘Yo, calm down, the volume is a bit high here, you are under stress and I’m going to help you.’"

Where her customers come from: Primarily through word of mouth and referrals from veterinarians.

Has anybody been so impressed with her work with their pet that they’ve inquired as to whether she might be prepared to correct some of their spouse’s behavioural problems as well? Not yet. "But there are a lot of touches that have similar effects on humans. It’s all about communication."

The cost of a session: For $60 Nina will come to your home, hang out with your pet and also teach you a few TTouch techniques.

Is it safe to say that most people willing to pay top dollar to better understand their pet’s motivations come from the upper class? No.

How to reach her: aninanimal@netscape.net.

Something she likes to do: Play piano "when no one else is in the room."

Childhood ambition: To become a prima ballerina.

Last book read: Painting Friends by Barbara Meadowcroft.

Musical preferences: Alicia Keys, Norah Jones.

Words of wisdom: "Be kind and open to all people and animals, but never play leapfrog with a unicorn." :

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca