Canine Nutrition Services

Does your beloved dog have undiagnosed health issues?

Fatigue
Digestive issues, fussy eating, allergies
Inflammation, joint pain
Weight issues
Skin problems
Behavioural or emotional troubles

Or do you just want to find out if your treasured pooch has any nutrient deficiencies, toxicities or heavy metals that may create longer term problems?

At Rachel Doherty Nutrition, we adopt a holistic health approach, treating the body as a whole, whereby all the body’s systems are working together, not in isolation.

Using whole food nutrition, we investigate nutritional deficiencies and toxicities – the body’s imbalances. By using functional testing (test, don’t guess), as our guide, we can pinpoint exactly what each body needs to work towards balance and be the best you can be.

Mineral deficiencies and toxicities affect all of us, including dogs.

How it works

Step 1 – Initial Consultation (1/2 hour $80)

We gather information about your canine’s health history and diet and lifestyle. This allows us the formulation of an appropriate and results driven treatment plan.

Please download this intake form,complete and email completed form to hello@racheldoherty.com.au

I will then make contact with further details.

Step 2 – Non-invasive clinical test (HTMA Canine testing $198)

We use Canine HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis), non-invasive test that provides reliable clinical data on 32 nutrient and toxic minerals and 27 significant ratios.

An HTMA test uses hair tissue for analysis. Hair is used (unlike blood and urine) because it provides a three-month health history and provides several months of biochemical activity in a single sample.

The report shows metabolic status and provides recommendations to address mineral imbalances, reverse physical degeneration and revitalize energy.

The hair sample will provide information about your dog’s:

Use of nutrients – are they severely depleted in minerals or lacking the ability to make them bioavailable?
Management of stress – is your dog burning through minerals?
Diet and fuel levels
Metabolism, efficiency in absorbing nutrients and strength in other body systems
Exposure to heavy metals that may compromise health

Ordering a Canine HTMA

How do I begin?

Three Simple steps

Complete an application form (Click here to open)
Take a hair sample
Send a copy of your Application form together with your hair sample (in an enclosed paper envelope, no plastic) to:

Rachel Doherty Nutrition

60 Somerset St

Mosman NSW 2088

How to take a Hair Sample?

To take the hair sample, ensure that the hair has been washed thoroughly, untreated, rinsed completely and dried. Cut the hair close to the skin, in a few small portions, and from several areas on the back of the neck. For a canine sample, take several sections from above and below the collar, avoiding any area where topical treatments are applied. Cut hair as close to the skin as possible. The length should not be more than 5-6cm, retain the proximal (root) portion and discard the rest. This part reflects the most recent metabolic activity. The amount of hair necessary for analysis is approximately one tablespoon of hair, which should be placed in a paper (no plastic) envelope.

Click here to download instructions.

Step 3 – Follow up HTMA consultation and development of health plan (1 hour $140)

Booked 2-weeks post-Initial Consultation, we review HTMA results and formulate a plan on this comprehensive Functional Test.

Step 4 – Retest (HTMA Retest $198 1 hour consultation $120/$140)

After 3-6 months, a progress retest is recommended. After following a protocol, the results are often much different. Retesting promotes improvement and helps address potential long term health issues due to toxin removal and change in mineral ratios.

At this stage of the health plan, we are able to “tweak” the protocol to target nutrient and mineral requirements from both HTMA test. Test results allow us to compare all mineral markers, significant ratios and toxic metals and tailor a program to achieve optimal health.

Meet Rachel Doherty

Functional Nutritionist

Rachel Doherty Nutrition was founded by Rachel Doherty, an Accredited Nutritionist and Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis expert. She has a Bachelor of Food & Nutrition Degree from Charles Sturt University as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree from University of Ku-ring-ai.

Rachel has been helping human clients regain their health since 2017 using functional testing such as Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. She now offers her professional and impassioned care to our canine friends.

Having interpreted over 400+ HTMA functional tests, it has become apparent that this type of testing is also great for dogs to maximize health, so they can live optimally and perform better.

Rachel and her family are also the proud owners of a beautiful Groodle called Nala. We are proactive with her health needs and helping her live her best life. Having access to Canine HTMA testing, we can formulate a nutrient dense diet and explore deficiencies, imbalances and toxicities in her body.

With this desire to see Nala live a long and happy life, it has led me to do some further study with HATO (Holistic Animal Therapy Organisation). I look forward to sharing my knowledge in the field of animal health and nutrition.

More about rachel

Canine HTMA Laboratory Test

A hair tissue sample is used for HTMA analysis. One of the main reasons why hair is used is because unlike blood or urine, it is stable over a long period of time. Our hair testing measures mineral storage mostly.

The hair sample you provide for the test is a snapshot of roughly one to four months of mineral movement in the body (minerals coming in, moving around and going into tissue storage as well as minerals moving out) and obviously what has been moving through the body prior to the test too as minerals don’t shift overnight in hair analysis. Whilst the hair is a route of excretion, you are mostly seeing what has come into the body, moved through the blood and lymph and deposited into living cells. As the hair grows through the scalp, what has been deposited in the hair follicle will be locked in and will move outside the scalp into the hair.

If minerals are being used up in large amounts or being actively antagonised (detoxified) and are therefore very active, you may see higher levels on hair analysis. This MAY indicate that the mineral is being excreted AND pushed into cellular storage at a higher rate. This is the case with all minerals including toxic minerals.

The correct mineral balance is important for animal health.

Biochemical, emotional and physical stressors can deplete the body of essential nutrients/minerals.

Environmental toxicity can also result in toxic metals accumulating in tissue which can disrupt the homeostasis of the body.

Mineral Imbalances can present in a number of ways:

A rough coat
Behavioral issues
Digestive issues
Poor growth
Tooth decay
Inflammation/Joint pain

Achieving balance in the right amount of minerals and with the right ratios, is key to optimal health. Using HTMA, it can provide information about the health of the animal and prevent serious conditions by early detection.

What does it test for?

The HTMA report provides reliable clinical data on 32 nutrients and toxic minerals and 27 significant mineral ratios. Important areas of the test include:

Copyright InterClinical Laboratories

Copyright InterClinical Laboratories

Copyright InterClinical Laboratories

Copyright InterClinical Laboratories

1. Nutritional Elements

These nutrients/minerals are considered essential for many biological functions. They play a key role in metabolic processes, muscular activity, endocrine functions, reproduction, skeletal integrity and development. A mineral level that is outside the reference range can be identified as dysfunctional showing up as an excess or deficiency.

We focus largely on the 4 main minerals which include Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium. They all work together and need to be in certain ratios.

2. Significant Ratios

If the relationship between certain minerals is disturbed, studies show that normal biological functions and metabolic activity can be affected. Significant ratios show relationships between adrenals, thyroid, stomach acid, metabolism, blood sugar and copper/zinc ratios.

3. Toxic Elements

All animals are exposed to toxic metals. The toxic elements display results for 8 toxic metals that can enter the body through inhalation (breathing), intestinal absorption (eg gut) and through the skin (the largest organ of detoxification

Levels within the body depend on the animal’s susceptibility, exposure, detoxification pathways and the chemical form of each metal. The balance of the protective nutrient minerals (see Nutritional elements) in relation to these heavy metals can be a determining factor to susceptibility.

Canines are animals that are lower to the ground, their exposure to toxic metals is high. Toxic elements are well-known in clinical data for interfering with normal biochemical function. For example, arsenic is a known carcinogen that affects the skin, digestive system, liver, nervous system and respiratory system. It can result in paralysis, coma, cardiovascular issues and even death.

4. Endocrine Index

The endocrine index is a representation of the pituitary-adrenal-thyroid relationship. These glands influence cellular energy production and are a marker for the health and performance of the dog. Depending on the range, it can be indicative of a tendency toward an adverse health condition.

5. Performance Index

The performance index shows the relationship of energy producing glands (thyroid and adrenal) on markers for speed and endurance. Endurance is largely related to the thyroid gland and indicates endurance over long distances or for longer periods of time. If speed is low it indicates speed, quickness and power over short periods of time may be negatively affected.

Canine Consult Pricing

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Animal HTMA Fee Schedule

Canine HTMA testing $198

Initial Consultation ½ hour $80

HTMA results 1 hour consultation $160

HTMA retest ($198 HTMA test) $140/$160 HTMA Retest 1 hour consultation

Follow up consultation ½ hour $80

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Package Deal

If Canine HTMA retesting is done within 6 months, consultation fees for 1 hour consultation will be $140 (instead of $160)

HTMA testing cannot be done without an initial consultation/paperwork to gain an understanding of your dog’s health history to discuss results.

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Acute & Ongoing Consults

Consultations 30 Minutes ($80)

Dog client feedback review, protocol review. This is an opportunity to review your dog’s treatment plan to ensure we are achieving the best possible health outcome.

Book an appointment

Important: I am not a veterinarian and therefore cannot diagnose your dog’s health condition. It is important that if your animal is suffering from a health condition, that you obtain a veterinary diagnosis. I can help by looking at the root cause of your animals health and use complimentary therapies to treat the whole animal.