Ross Emmett’s unique journey into healing began not in a clinical setting, but through his deep connection with animals. As an experienced animal trainer, attendant, and Australian Dog Obedience Judge, Ross honed his ability to observe subtle changes in behavior and physicality—skills that eventually led to the creation of the revolutionary EMMETT Technique. What started as a compassionate response to alleviating pain and distress in animals evolved into a groundbreaking modality that now empowers tens of thousands of therapists around the globe to relieve discomfort and restore balance in the human body. Often referred to as a ‘gifted healer,’ a title Ross humbly rejects, he describes himself instead as a keen observer, attuned to patterns others often miss. The EMMETT Technique, known for its gentle ‘Chameleon Approach,’ stimulates the body’s innate ability to self-correct through light touch, resulting in profound and lasting changes. Ross’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: by sharing this knowledge, he can extend his healing reach far beyond his own hands, helping countless individuals and therapists transform lives. In this Mystic Mag‘s interview, Ross Emmett opens up about his unconventional path to creating the EMMETT Technique, the principles behind this widely respected therapy, and how the technique’s adaptability makes it a vital tool for anyone seeking to support the body’s natural healing potential—be it in humans or animals.
The EMMETT Technique originally evolved from your work with animals. Can you share how your early experiences with sick and distressed animals shaped the creation of this unique method?
It starts a little earlier than that. I spent a couple of years in an orphanage, and when I got out, I wasn’t very keen on people. I obtained my first dog during that time, which sparked my interest in animals. I used to spend time with this dog and would often annoy it by scratching it in the ribs and watching it scratch. One time, while observing it, I noticed that just before I started to scratch, it would quiver in its back end. I held one finger on the rib, and when I put another finger on its rump, the dog would stop scratching. I then tantalized the dog by taking my finger on and off, which was my first stimulation of curiosity.
The experience that really set me on my path was my involvement in sports, particularly boxing, which I took up as a young boy around 9 or 10 years old. I learned a lot from the quick fixes required in boxing, where I had to achieve results quickly, as there were no timeouts and only one-minute breaks in between rounds.
As I transitioned into early adulthood, I got a job at an animal research institute after leaving school, where they conducted tests and monitored animals. I was about 16 or 17 at the time, and my job as an animal attendant involved observing how the animals reacted, depending on their diseases or issues and the symptoms they were showing. I worked closely with trainee vets, and while doing that, I began to take note of many things happening around me. I couldn’t interfere with the tests in any way, and the only tool I had was my hands.
I would run my hand down the animal’s body, looking for points that calmed them down—similar to petting. I found that if there was distress in certain areas, I could identify a connection point and then look for an opposite point, reminiscent of my earlier experience with the dog. Quite often, the animals would then relax and ease into things. I did this job for five years, working with every type of animal, from mice to camels, as well as cattle, horses, sheep, and dogs.
This journey didn’t start with a quest for therapy; it was simply a curiosity to help ease the animals’ distress. I didn’t like seeing them in discomfort, but I also knew I couldn’t interfere with their experiments, so I sought to provide comfort in any way I could.
The EMMETT Technique is known to work equally well on animals and humans. What are the key similarities and differences when applying the technique to each?
The technique is the same; it works on the nervous system and the receptors within the body. The difference between the two lies in the influence of the human on other aspects beyond the technique itself. It involves their beliefs, the words I use, and my body language. We can influence the outcome purely by what we say to them.
If there is a difference, it is in how I approach them and in the common courtesies I use to introduce myself to the animal without imposing myself on it. The same courtesy applies to human beings. The human aspect involves considering more factors than just the physical techniques. I need to instill in people the belief that I have the power to create change and to make them feel valued—not just treated as a mere object. The same applies to the animal.
What type of services do you offer?
To my clients, I have been in practice for over 40 years. I treat pain and discomfort, but at the same time, I am trained in NLP. I have the ability to communicate with the right wording and the right attitude, which gives them assurance that I know what I’m doing. I don’t follow a strict procedure; each person is an individual. I tend to have a variety of approaches and then combine them to suit each individual.
You discovered that The EMMETT Technique worked just as effectively on the handlers as it did on their animals. What insights did this discovery give you into the interconnectedness of human and animal well-being?
One of the nice things is that animals will foster their rider or owner. I have to say that I was a very good obedience dog trainer, so I used to train people as if they were dogs. However, I had to realize what the person had the dog for and consider how the animal interacted with that individual. If the person was feeling off or sick, the dog would often show the same symptoms.
The biggest challenge was determining whether the animal was being influenced by the owner or vice versa—whether the owner was feeling that way because of the animal. In horses, it was very noticeable that if a horse had a regular rider who had an issue, the horse would adapt to the rider’s state. Quite often, people sought treatment for the horse when, in reality, they needed treatment themselves so that the horse could return to its natural stride.
The same principle applied to dogs. Training a dog using harsh tactics could injure the dog’s neck. So again, I would observe how the handler reacted to the dog and then assess the results of that poor handling.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of The EMMETT Technique in both animal care and human therapy?
I think what we’re doing, if I could go back to where I started, is important. I’m not an educated man; I did this out of observation and my own interest. Education wasn’t something I had. I have no background in anatomy and physiology, and I learned everything as I went along. It was all very simple. I focused on doing the simple things that the animals wanted.
Today, I find that a lot of natural abilities have been stifled due to many rules and regulations. These rules are preventing natural abilities from emerging in individuals. You can see this in children and animals. When a child goes to help an animal in distress, you’ll often see them soothing it and making it feel better. That comfort comes naturally, with no education involved.
However, today we are at a point where unless you have formal education or some form of training, you are discouraged from touching animals. I find that very concerning for the future. I hope that we will allow natural ability and the capacity to care for beings to take precedence over just educational credentials. There must be an acceptance that caring is an essential part of what makes for good treatment.
One key aspect of the technique I use is that it is a light touch therapy, which works on the animal without inflicting pain. Our goal is to alleviate discomfort and help the animal find a comfortable position, and the same applies to people. In terms of assistance, I see myself as the first aid provider for muscles, easing pain and discomfort before a person needs to move on to the next level of treatment.
This therapy is the first step on the ladder of assistance. It is a complementary therapy that works alongside others. That’s an important point; it isn’t isolated in its own right. It has the ability to work with other therapies, whether as a complementary approach or as a standalone therapy.
