Located in Cape Town, Being with Animals (BWA) is a non-profit, community-based organisation evolving as a collaboration of those who share a vision of living.

Inspired by joy, and a vision of our true nature as happy, healthy and whole, BWA’s purpose is to transform human-animal relationships, and facilitate our common experience of radiant wellbeing on all levels. Imagine!

Combining insights from modern science and traditional wisdom, a reverence for nature and simple common sense, BWA nurtures a number of transformational projects to remember our true nature and be all we are.

What follows is a summary of BWA activities. Below that you can find more detailed information on each topic. For more information of the projects, or support of BWA in any way, please contact Cara on 073 747 1119 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Together we can make a real difference!

EVENTS

Common Sense Experiences

Monthly events, co-hosted by Dr Jimmy Symmonds and Cara Williams, where special guests explore what animals need to be happy, healthy and whole. Bring along your animal-related questions, challenges, ideas and dreams. Share your talents, meet like-minded people, and hear about co-creative projects in the pipeline. Get involved and be the change.

Being in Spring

When: Wednesday, 30th September
Where: Ubuntu Wellness Centre, Cape Town Medi-Spa, 99 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Entrance: Free
Booking: Please let us know should you wish to attend, as space is limited

At this Common Sense Event we will look at some of the many ways you can support your animal companions to be radiantly healthy this spring. Combining ancient wisdom and modern science, topics we will discuss include:

• Spring nutrition and the role of fasting
• Spring herbs and liver detoxification
• Spring relationships and behavioural issues

Radiant Wellbeing Workshops

Co-presented by Dr Jimmy Symmonds and Cara Williams, in collaboration with other teachers, this extraordinary series of 1-day workshops is for people that enjoy being proactive in their family's wellbeing. If you see the wisdom of promoting health, living in harmony with nature, and minimising the chances for injury and disease, then these workshops are just what you are looking for. Radiant Wellbeing Workshops are aimed at people interested in holistic healthcare and keeping their four-legged friends happy, healthy and whole. These innovative workshops focus on natural, common sense ways to promote health and longevity and prevent disease, as well as the first-aid treatment of minor illnesses or injuries. Inspiring, information-packed and fun-filled, the workshops promise to add a whole new dimension to your relationship with your animals. Each workshop is structured to include informative lectures, engaging discussions and fantastic, get-your-hands-dirty practical sessions.

Natural Wisdom - Foundation Workshop

When: Saturday 17th October
Where: Venue to be confirmed
Time: 9am - 4pm
Entrance: Free
Booking: Please let us know should you wish to attend, as space is limited

SERVICES

Private Consultations

For people wanting to realise radiant wellbeing in their animal companions. Facilitated by Dr Jimmy Symmonds, Cara Williams and associated therapists.

Appointments: By appointment only. Referral from your family veterinarian required.

Cost: Free

Would you like to know what your animal companion really needs to be happy, healthy and whole? Do you need a solution for a challenging behaviour or long-term health problem? Or would you simply like to experience harmony in your relationship with your animals?  Private consultations are designed to facilitate the discovery of the solution that is right for you.

We adopt an integrated and holistic approach, addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of wellbeing.

Natural remedies and strategies are prescribed where appropriate. Advice is usually given on lifestyle, environment, nutrition and relationships. Referral to the family vet and other specialists is considered where necessary. Depending on the problem experienced, the realisation of radiant wellbeing may be a journey taken over time. We refer to this process as 'remembering our true nature'. At the core of the program is the state of being, our true nature. From this centre, the meaning, purpose and destiny of an individual's life radiate. The goal is to get you and your animal companions to a point where you are self-expressed, enjoying life, and being fully yourselves.

PROJECTS BEING INCUBATED

Waterhole Gatherings

Weekly meetings dedicated to quenching our deepest thirst and remembering our true nature.

We are looking for a cosy venue to begin the informal, weekly gatherings. If you would like to host the gatherings in your home or know of a suitable spot, please get in touch.

Animal Wellbeing Centre

BWA is seeking a special space in the city bowl area to create an integrated teaching and healing centre for animals. The vision includes consultation rooms, a large workshop space, and an open-plan office space. An area to develop and create natural products and a quiet garden for herbs and play are also envisioned. The centre will house the latest holistic therapies and technologies, offering a much needed referral option for local vets. The centre will also act as a resource centre and hub for community participation in positive, animal-related projects.

If you know of a possible site, or would like to be involved in manifesting the centre, please get in touch. Let us know what role you would like to play. We need you!

Website and Community Portal

Community lies at the root of BWA. We have begun work on a website that we believe will facilitate greater community participation in projects and allow us to join together as one to affect real change. The website will utilise the latest social networking technologies allowing you to share your interests and expertise, and collaborate with others on new and existing projects. The website will also house a resource section containing information on the needs of animals and inspiring examples of how to live and work in harmony.

If you have expertise in social networking software (Wordpress, Buddypress), are talented with words or graphic design, or would like to support the website project in anyway, please get in touch.

Natural Solutions

BWA’s purpose is to promote radiant wellbeing in animals and explore new ways of living in harmony with animals and our planet. As such we are looking to encourage and facilitate the development of natural products and technologies that promote the realisation of health, wholeness and harmony. BWA supports innovations that promote healthier, happier human-animal interactions. Inventions, gadgets and ideas that are ethical, sustainable, locally sourced and allow us to collaborate with animals in new, mutually beneficial ways. Work has begun on a range of herbal tonics and elixirs. If you want to get involved, or have some good ideas to share, let us know.

BIOGRAPHIES

Dr Jimmy Symmonds BVSc

Jimmy is a veterinarian with special interest in natural healing for animals and the role animals are playing in the awakening of the new, global consciousness. Jimmy initially studied zoology at the University of Cape Town and then veterinary medicine at Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria. He then went into practice in the UK, and continued his studies first in acupuncture and then herbal medicine. In the UK, Jimmy founded two holistic veterinary practices and an educational company offering herbal courses to veterinarians. He returned to Cape Town, were he was born, in 2007 and co-founded Holisticvet in Diep River with colleague Dr Megan Kelly. Jimmy now devotes his time to sharing what he has discovered about the root of disease and the realisation of  real health and harmony. His passion is finding ways to create with others inspiring new ways of being with animals that are the solution to many of the current challenges.

Cara Williams MA

Cara graduated with an MA in Psychology, specialising in Neuropsychology, from the University of Cape Town - where she lectured and tutored Health Psychology. In 2006 she moved to the UK to work and study at the Natural Animal Centre, a specialist animal education centre which combined her interest in Psychology with her passion for animals. Cara undertook training as an equine and canine behavioural scientist, lectured the equine and canine behaviour qualifications and was involved in running the business as Deputy Manager of the centre. At the end of 2008 she returned to South Africa with a dream of making the science of animal behaviour and welfare accessible to all. Cara's approach is to empower horse and dog owners by explaining the science of animal behaviour and offering practical solutions to positively influence the lives of animal and owner.   Her compassionate, holistic and scientific approach to solving behavioural problems helps ensure the physical and emotional wellbeing of companion animals.
 
If you feel excited, inspired or even just curious, then give Cara a call on 073 747 1119 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . As we join together, extraordinary possibilities are emerging.