Therapeutic Touch and its Global Reach Therapeutic Touch (TT) has its origins in the nursing world and as a nursing intervention, so TT is considered an extension of professional skills. TT was initially developed as a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices by two founders, Dora Kunz and Dolores (Dee) Krieger. Dora had amazing abilities to see things that most of us don’t and recognized TT as something that could be easily taught to nurses. TT is a holistic, evidence-based practice that incorporates the intentional and compassionate use of universal energy to promote balance and well-being. Dee focused on developing a body of research that looked at quantitative markers, like hemoglobin levels. TT has a solid base in research with more than 50 doctoral and post-doctoral papers. Internationally, TT has been taught to more than 200,000 people in 104 countries. In the USA alone it has been taught at more than 60 colleges and universities, and TT has been practiced in over 50 medical centers.
Peggy Frank – Peggy was introduced to Therapeutic Touch (TT) when very ill with AIDS and attributes her survival to TT and other complementary therapies, as well as allopathic medicines. Since TT was extremely effective, even when no medicines were available, Peggy learned the methodology and the theory behind TT, as well as how to teach TT from certified programs in the US and Canada and took the training to Africa – where the impact of AIDS where HIV had horrific implications on families and communities. She studied under (and received healing sessions from) the two founders (Dolores Krieger and Dora Kuntz) and many of their students. Since 1998, she has been a recognized practitioner of TT, attaining her teaching certification in 1999. Her first goal was to teach in Africa, which she did in 2005, 2006 and 2010. TT proved to be extremely useful among home-care workers and Hospice staff and volunteers throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Much of Peggy’s training has been in the United States, where she became certified to teach, as well as becoming recognized as a teacher in her home country – Canada. She hosts a monthly practice group, initially in her home and, more recently, via zoom. She has sat on the Board of the International TT Association (TTIA), where she shared a position with Jane that involved planning international conferences for TT practitioners and teachers. She also sits on several TT committees and is committed to outreach. Peggy received an international TT award for the work she does in Africa. Cordy Anderson, Retired RN, BSN, QTTT: Cordy began her nursing career in 1969, working in pediatrics, neo-natal intensive care, public health, and long-term care. In 1984 an opportunity presented itself to be a home health and hospice nurse. This type of nursing which included visiting the patients in their own homes spanned the next 32 years. It was also in 1984 that Therapeutic Touch magically came into her life as the “what to do when there is nothing else left to do” when working with the dying. Almost immediately she found TT an amazing adjunct to her nursing care…to ease someone’s respiratory distress…to relieve phantom pain…to help reduce a fever. Now, in her “retreadment” (a term she learned from Dr. Dolores Krieger) her priorities are to be an involved grandma, teach TT, lead practice groups, and offer Therapeutic Touch every chance she gets. She enjoys sharing her journey, both how TT has helped her help others, but also how it has given her a tangible experience of the interconnectedness of all beings. It is her joy to share this experience with others. Sue Conlin, BA, QTTT Sue was introduced to Therapeutic Touch in 1990 and began practicing and teaching in earnest in 1998. Because she was not a nurse (her background is in business and management), she was not able to attend any of the TT workshops beyond…