Reiki Energy Healing for Pets

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique that can be used in a variety of ways to balance and harmonize our energy systems. Reiki is a gentle yet powerful energy that is beneficial for both humans and animals, among many other things. Reiki is a traditional form of hands on healing that results in feelings of relaxation and a deep sense of calm. Over time energy can become blocked and lead to symptoms of illness or dis-ease. Similar to acupuncture, Reiki can improve energy alignment in and around the body.

How does Reiki work?

Reiki works by flowing through our energy pathways called meridians, and our energy centers called chakras. We often have disruptions in the natural flow of our energy due to daily stress, anxiety, trauma, physical, or emotional issues. These disruptions can lead to an unbalanced state within our energy field. Reiki channels the ‘life force energy’ that is present in all living things. It facilitates the release of disharmonious or blocked energies while aligning the energy system which supports emotional, mental, physical and spiritualwell-being. This alignment also promotes the bodies’ natural healing ability. The practitioner will place their hands on or around the body channeling Reiki through their palms. The practitioner moves their hands along the body applying Reiki energy to the areas where it is needed.

What are the benefits of using Reiki with animals?

As humans, we can quickly respond to our bodies when there is a state of disharmony or discomfort. Like us, animals can carry these disharmonious energies and require support in releasing them. Reiki is a calming energy that reduces disease in the body, and therefore is a

gentle way to support animals by offering them healing in a non-invasive way. Reiki can benefit our pets in many different ways including:

• Chronic pain • Arthritis • Abandonment issues • Separation anxiety • Recovery after surgery • Reduces symptoms of illness • Behavioral problems • Transitions (travelling, moving) • End of life transitions

A few years ago, a friend called and asked me to support their dog Charlie who was in an end of life transition. I immediately drove over to assist Charlie who was in a tremendous amount of pain from years of arthritis and other complications. Upon arrival, he was visibly in distress and despite struggling to move, was pacing around. I sat nearby in the living room and extended

my hands to offer Reiki if he would like to accept it. Charlie came over and laid at my feet. From that point I offered Reiki healing. Multiple times during the session he would roll over or adjust his body so my hands could be placed directly where he wanted them. My friends were amazed at his receptivity and calmness during and after the session. Not long after, he passed calmly and peacefully which allowed for the process to be that much easier for Charlie and his family.

How our energy effects our animals.

Animals are sensitive to the energy around them. Harmonious and disharmonious energies can often be mirrored back to us by our pets and reveal our current state of being. Once you are aware of this, it is interesting

to notice the link between a calm or stressful demeanour and the potential effects on the animals around you. The simple truth is that animals are highly sensitive and attuned to our energies, and they, like us, can absorb this energy which in turn will affect their mood, physical experiences and expressions. Having an awareness that our energy can impact the animals around us is essential to understanding that a grounded and calm energy within allows for animals to feel safe, calm, and at ease.

I myself have two cats; Abby, 7, and Wimbly, 2. Both of my beloved kitties are rescues who came to me through a series of fortunate events and with multiple emotional needs and physical issues, many of which have been resolved with Reiki. A few years ago, I was working through high levels of anxiety. My cat Abby was very aware if I was feeling upset and would often come to comfort me. The more I continued to work on my own healing the more I wondered about how these energies could be affecting her. She is a very sensitive cat who tends to be on the jumpy side, and is frightened easily. While continuing my own Reiki healing for this anxiety, I would also give Reiki to her in order to maintain her energetic alignment and grounding.

My other cat Wimbly was abandoned by his mother at birth, and needed so much assistance from the beginning of his life. Although the bond of our attachment was very strong, his high needs required a lot of work and patience when he was a kitten. There were visible improvements in his behaviour and even recovery time after surgery after many months of Reiki sessions together. He is now so used to receiving Reiki that almost every time a client is on my table receiving Reiki, he will invite himself to join on the table, staying there for the duration of the session.

Reiki is a helpful tool when working with animals as it can provide a deeper understanding to what may be beneath the surface of physical or behavioral issues. This perspective that connects to body, mind and spirit allows for us to support our pets in a way that encompasses most of their needs. Animals are such special and sensitive beings on this earth and deserve healing in the same ways as we do.