What is Animal Reiki?

My journey with Animal Reiki began with a love of animals. As a young child I was quite sensitive and the only energy that I felt comfortable and still around was the energy of my friends' pets and the animals of the forest. I remember laying in the cornfields, allowing the sound of the birds to calm me. I would welcome squirrels, chipmunks and deer, spending as long as possible watching them and sending them loving thoughts.

As my life unfolded, I built a great career working with adults both higher education and private practice therapeutic settings, but I never forgot my first love. I spent hours in the forest, listening and watching. I became animal guardian to 2 cats and a dog, and now am fortunate to have 2 dogs and a cat. My animal friends remain among the best I have - funny, loyal and full of incredible insight into life's presence, joy and wonder.

Over the past couple of years I decided to study energy healing, specifically Usui Reiki energy, and it has opened up my life in ways I could not have anticipated. Instead of rushing, overgiving, and stressing, I now have balance in my mind, body and spirit. I pause and reflect with more ease, I take things less personally, and I have learned that uncertainty can bring about a creative oasis. After one of my self healing sessions I felt guided to look into Animal Reiki and have since completed 2 online courses and am about to take a third. As an Animal Reiki practitioner, I honor the needs of the individual animal, listening deeply, and allowing the energy to flow through me. The animal decides how much and how long the session will last and I love that they get to lead the sessions. Reiki is for self-healing and is not controlled by the practitioner, but instead, it is the great, intelligent energy of the Universal Life Force that taps into the energy of the receiver. It always knows what is for the highest good of the animal and is never harmful.

Reiki is a gentle Japanese energy healing technique discovered by Master teacher and philosopher Mikao Usui in the 1920s. The Universal energy of Reiki flows through the practitioner who is attuned to the healing frequency and connects with the animal or human to assist with balance. I think of Reiki like an inner lamp we all possess that can be plugged in and turned on when we are attuned to the Reiki energy. Once we are attuned to Reiki as students, the lamp stays on, and we channel the energy to help others to self heal. Reiki cannot harm the animal because it is intelligent and will cater to the animal's best interest and wishes. The energy will also never drain the practitioner, as the energy is not coming from them.

Reiki feels like a vacation - every time I give it to myself, I feel uplifted, centered, grounded and calm all at once. Clients tell me that it feels like a "hug from the inside" or a beautiful warmth that leaves them feeling slightly tingly. Some clients including animals fall asleep and that is perfect. The body, mind and spirit know exactly what is needed to come to balance.

My animals have similar reactions: they fall asleep, or lay calmly, lick my hands or put their heads/bodies in my lap as I am giving them Reiki. When they are finished, they let me know by getting up and leaving the room or turning their sustained attention elsewhere. I thank them and respect that the session is over, closing down the process. Reiki for animals may last a few minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or more. It really depends on the animal and what they need. Factors that contribute to how much time or how many sessions will benefit an animal include their size, their temperament, their ability to trust, their nervous system, whether they are healthy, and what energy imbalances need harmonizing. It is very important that the animal feels safe and comfortable, so I like to conduct sessions in my healing room at a distance, or event that it is safe to do so, at the animal's home.

What I love about Animal Reiki so far is that I can help my own animals to let go of their stress before going to the Vet, reduce anxiety when my partner or myself are away, assist with soothing physical and emotional issues, and that our bond feels stronger. I am more able to tune into their needs and body cues than ever before. My 10 year old Bernese Mountain dog is more spritely and energetic and had a back leg tremor that is much improved. My cat Rose has greatly toned down her hunting due to a more calm nervous system, and often wants my lap these days. Finally, I discovered that my 3 year old Samoyed was playing so hard at daycare that he was limping for days. When our Veterinarian couldn't find anything wrong with him, I gave him Reiki and set the intention that my dog would learn to listen to his body when he was tired. About a month later, daycare reported that he stopped running, found a quiet corner and laid down until I picked him up. He has not had much limping since. Another bonus I didn't consider is how peaceful life is at home now because Reiki helps us all to feel calm and peaceful.

Animal Reiki does not take the place of medical care, and my pets regularly see a Vet, receive medication, have yearly check ups, etc. Reiki can greatly complement medical care - it can help with decreasing emotional/mental/physical imbalances, it can help with faster recovery after surgery or illness. Reiki promotes relaxation, and assists animals with the end of life and with passing - it can be a form of palliative care. If your pet is naturally healthy and well, Reiki can feel like the best massage and relaxation they have had.

Reiki can be done in person from a distance or from an alternative location, like the practitioner's healing room. The effectiveness of Reiki does not shift and in fact, it can be easier for traumatized or aggressive animals to forgo human contact when receiving Reiki energy. Reiki can be given to small animals, fish, birds, domestic animals, farm animals and even wildlife. I am also regularly sending Reiki to animals and birds in land preserves and neighborhoods when I walk through them. I plan to choose some locations that have been hit by natural disasters and send Reiki to those animals as well. Sending Reiki helps me to feel like I am contributing positively to the earth and those who live here.

If Animal Reiki resonates with you and you want to learn more, feel free to check out my Animal Reiki webpage or email me: ren@6rayhealing.com. I am happy to chat with you about how you might wish to approach Animal Reiki so your animal friends can enjoy this soulful and gentle energy.

With love,

Ren