A COMPLEMENTARY therapy centre for animals has opened in North Craven.

Scamp is a newly formed charity which offers various alternative therapies for domestic pets in return for a donation towards the costs of running the service. It is based in Settle.

Management committee chairman, Tracey Harrison, her husband, Nigel, and secretary Judith Freeman all practice Reiki, and Judith also practices reflexology. They can also offer crystal healing, all for animals.

Tracey told the Herald that they would have a go at treating any animal disorder, physical or psychological, but she stressed that the centre in no way replaced a visit to the vet.

"The therapies we offer are complementary, not a replacement."

Tracey explained that Reiki was a Japanese healing system dating back over 3,000 years, and involved the practitioner channelling energy into the client, leading to the healing of mind, body and spirit.

"Animals show their owners unconditional love, and because of this they try to take our burdens from us. But the off loading of all our stress, trauma, anxiety and worries creates huge energy blockages in our pets.

"Alternative medicine treats the cause not the symptom. There is never a guarantee that it will work, but there are successful cases," said Tracey.

Scamp came about because of a long held dream of Tracey's to run an animal healing sanctuary. She is a Reiki master and organises alternative therapy fairs, and through the latter the opportunity arose to raise some initial funds to launch Scamp.

Now it is open on Mondays from 5pm to 8pm, and Tuesdays from 9am to noon at Unit 4, Barrel Sykes Farm, Settle. Treatments are by appointment only, and Tracey can be contacted on 01729 825717.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.