What Is Animal Reiki
Reiki, meaning “universal life force energy”, is a system of natural healing that was re-discovered in Japan at the end of the 19th century. It is a gentle healing modality for stress reduction and relaxation. Reiki involves hands on healing but can also be done hands off and at a distance, which makes it perfect for animal and pet healing.
As the concepts of healing are the same for all living beings, reiki can help animals in so many ways and they seem to respond to the healing energies quicker than people do and therefore beneficial outcomes may be seen straight away.
- Animal reiki can address any problem an animal may face: physical, mental/emotional,
- spiritual – all levels.
- It is a relaxation and stress reduction technique that assists with healing.
- It is non-invasive and can never cause harm. You can give as much as the recipient is open to receive, giving as much energy as the animal/pet is comfortable with.
- It is gentle, yet powerful and works well with other forms of healing, both traditional veterinary medicine and holistic.
- Reiki can be effectively given at a distance so can be used with feral, aggressive and wild animals.
- Reiki goes to the root of the problem, known or unknown.
- Reiki stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal.
Animal Reiki for Health Issues
Reiki can help reduce the illness of your pet or animal, as the energy works on a deeper level to shift energy blocks and patterns that are linked to health issues. Therefore, reiki can be used to help heal most known illnesses. Reiki, on its own or with veterinary care, has been used to relief and heal animals with the following :
- Pain and arthritis
- Heal after an accident or injury
- Healing for muscle and joint injuries
- Speed the healing process after surgery
- Allergies
- Side effects of chemo
- Strengthen the immune system
- Improve energy
Animal Reiki for Emotional Issues
Reiki is a wonderful treatment for animals rescued from negative situations or abusive homes. Having experienced many traumatic events, reiki can be extremely beneficial and a powerful tool for their healing journey. Reiki can give neglected and abandoned animals a second chance by offering healing for emotional problems. The most scarred animals with abuse, fear or trust issues will willingly accept Reiki to heal severe depression or behavior problems that would otherwise prevent them from being placed with a permanent care giver. Just like humans, animals can hold trauma and reiki can help release negative energies to restore calmness and a sense of wellbeing.
Reiki can be used alone or with any veterinary protocol to help with the following:
- Calm anxiety
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Help animals experiencing grief
- Adjusting to a new environment
- Anxiety relating to separation
* Reiki should not replace regular veterinary care and is best regarded as a valuable part of an integrative approach to healing.
Animal Reiki for End of Life Care
Saying good-bye to our beloved pet that has shown unconditional love throughout their lives is something all pet owners must bear and to offer reiki at the end is truly a loving last way of giving back for all the unconditional love they have shown us.
- Reiki can help you prepare for the upcoming transition of your animal.
- Reduce discomfort with a terminal illness
- Distance reiki can be scheduled for the time surrounding euthanasia to provide healing and comfort for everyone during the transition.
- Reiki can help animals grieve the loss of another animal or human companion.
- Reiki can help human companions to process grief after the loss of their animal companion.
What does a Session Look Like
In Person:
If I am giving a healing session in person, it is always my practice to let the animal lead and not to force or control the healing session. I will always start the healing sitting a few feet away from the animal so that they have the opportunity to sense the energy and determine if they wish to accept it or not. As mentioned, the animal is in control of the healing session and must be happy and relaxed with the energy that is being given and it is up to them how much or how little they wish to receive, or not, which is rare but it can happen. The animal usually determines the length of the treatment, which can vary from 15-45 minutes or sometimes longer.
Unlike a healing session with a person, animals will do their own thing at the start of the healing session. This may be running around for 5 or 10 minutes, wanting to play, getting some water but eventually they will settle down in their space and then usually sit or stand right next to me, or position themselves in between my hands or move the part of their body they wish to have healing on, into my hands. Each animal has different needs and at this point I may continue the healing session hands on, or off but it is always their preference and it is always respected.
When the animal begins to feel the Reiki and decides to accept the treatment, the energy will flow and my hands will start to tingle. The animal usually becomes very relaxed and sometimes falls into a reiki nap for a short while.
Remotely (Via Zoom or Long Distance):
I offer reiki either on zoom or long distance with a photo and name of your pet. Although energy will be received anywhere in the world regardless of if you are in physical proximity or not, some pet owners like to have the experience of being able to see me and I am able to offer the healing session via zoom. You may have your computer facing your pet, or the space in which they are using. Otherwise, I will conduct the healing using their name and photo at a specified time and email the session details after the healing.
Ending The Session
When the flow of Reiki energy stops or the animal gets up and walks away, this is the sign that the healing session is usually complete. It is always important to have fresh water on hand, as animals as well as people often become thirsty after a treatment.
The reiki sessions are very relaxing and the results may be immediate or take several days to be noticed. You may notice that your pet or animal’s physical injury or illness has healed quicker than expected or that an emotional or behavioral issue has lessened. Three or four consistent healing sessions may be needed for more deep rooted emotional and physical issues that have been around for a long time.
What is so wonderful about reiki healing is that you do not need to physically do a hands on healing session with an animal and that it is equally effective as a distant / remote healing because energy is not bound by time or space and will always find it’s way to where it is most needed to heal. Physical issues can have emotional root causes, and, when it is in the best interest of the animal, Reiki can help him to resolve and release those issues and return to excellent physical and emotional health.
