AS energy bills rise, the winter nights draw in and the country looks set to slip back into recession we should spare a thought for our canine counterparts.

While we are running around worrying about which bill to pay first and whether to put on that second jumper, man’s best friends are quietly soaking up all of our negative, stressful energy.

Fortunately one dog grooming salon has come up with a way to alleviate the stress placed on the region’s hounds.

One of the groomers at Scruffy Pups in Darlington now uses reiki to settle any nervous or stressed dogs who are taken in for a cut.

The technique, which was developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, uses palm healing as a form of alternative medicine.

Through the use of this technique, groomer Shaun Leach believes that he is transferring universal energy in the form of ki through his palms and into the dogs, allowing for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.

Mr Leach said: “This is all about energy. We pass on our energy to dogs. If we are not calm, then they are not, and they pick up on our stress.

“We had a Scotty dog in here last week who was manic. He had not been groomed for some time as he would not let anybody near him.

“After a session of reiki he was very calm and we were able to groom him. It really works.

“To perform reiki you need to place your hands on or around the dog and use your calm energy to de-stress the dog.

“Because we use this treatment we are able to deal with dogs which other salons cannot manage.

“You definitely have to be open to it. You have to believe that you have the energy which can help a dog.

“It’s more natural for them anyway. Only humans use words to communicate, animals always use their energy.

Melanie Fletcher who works at Paws ’n’ Play in Whickham, near Newcastle, said: “Before this I wasn’t really a spiritual person but after seeing the effects the therapy has had on the dogs I’m now convinced.”

Scruffy Pups, in Melland Street, Darlington, are hosting a one-day course on November 30 for people who want to help their own dogs with the therapy.

For more information, contact Scruffy Pups on 01325- 286196.