Animals have an awareness of energy and without question they understand that Beings exist on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level and because of their openness are very receptive to the healing properties of Reiki. With an innate understanding of energy frequencies, animals are able to trust both the practitioner and the Reiki energies.
Reiki energy has its own innate wisdom and for this reason can do no harm. The intention is for healing, for any living thing, and as a result is able to target challenged areas in priority sequence. What we may feel is an area of concern for an animal, the energy may identify an underlying more critical issue and will intuitively begin healing from this point. For example, many physical conditions are symptoms of emotional stress and the Reiki energies will find the root cause, working from the inside out.
You may be curious if all energy workers use Reiki. We are all capable of using Reiki, however Reiki energy can only be channeled by someone who has received an attunement. Without the attunement healers are using another kind of energy
The attunement transfers Reiki energy from the Reiki Master to the student and it remains with the student for a lifetime. The spiritual consciousness makes adjustments in the student’s chakras and energy pathways, deepening consciousness allowing the student to accommodate the ability to channel Reiki energy.
Everything in nature is made up of energy. Reiki practitioners channel the universal energies, along energetic pathways, administered through the palms of their hands. Practitioners remain respectful that they are merely a conduit for the energy, knowing the Reiki energy itself does the healing. We are all connected by energy and energy has no boundaries or time restrictions, as a result Reiki is equally as effective administered in person or remotely, working from the animal’s photo, name, and location.
Domesticated animals can benefit from Reiki’s healing energies in so many ways. For example, if an animal is experiencing pain (injury or surgery) Reiki is able to speed physical recovery. Perhaps an animal is experiencing trauma (abuse, neglect, fear and mistrust) Reiki is able to facilitate emotional healing. If an animal is difficult to settle (high-strung or nervous) Reiki can assist by inducing a state of relaxation, reducing stress.
Animals in shelters who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment can be difficult to adopt and there are many documented cases of shelter animals responding to the healing powers of Reiki and finding their forever home shortly afterward.
Reiki is also very helpful in resolving conflicts and emotional and physical injuries between two animals that don’t seem to be accepting of one another. Finally, if it is an animal’s time to leave this world, Reiki can assist both the family and the animal with compassionate support during this difficult time. It is important to note that no animal leaves this planet before their time and therefore Reiki can only assist with the transition, it cannot prevent the exit.
As a Reiki II practitioner I have the ability to offer healing both in person and remotely. Many wild animals choose to receive their healing from a distance. I have had an injured King Fisher, remain on my hand for 20 minutes as he recovered from a window hit. It was curious to hear his thoughts because he knew that being this close to humans was something he should be weary of and yet for this movement all seemed right for him to be there. For many stressed animals or wild animals not used to being close to humans, remote healing does not eliminate an animal from receiving a treatment due to stress or mistrust.
Domestic animals in our care have little choices in how their lives unfold. Their schedules are our schedules. For this reason it is very important that the animal receiving Reiki understands they are an active participant in their own healing. Before administering Reiki the practitioner respectfully needs to include the animal in the healing process. Permission should always be asked to administer healing and the animal should enter into the treatment with a full understanding that they are able to decide how much energy to receive and when the treatment will end. Animals who are given this choice are far more receptive to healing than an animal who does not feel they have a say.
Initially an animal may take up to half of an hour just to settle in. Many will be curious of the energy they feel and will want to sniff or lick the practitioner’s hands in an attempt to understand this new sensation. Some animals who yesterday were receptive, today may request, through their actions, that they do not want to receive the energy today and these wishes need to be respected. In extreme cases the Reiki practitioner can send healing energy to the animal’s situation rather than to the animal themselves which also can initiate change, causing a shift in the relationship with either the humans or animals in the animal’s life.
Because they are sensitive to the energies, many animals are more comfortable receiving the healing from a distance. Some will choose this, even if the practitioner is on site. A horse for example may move to the other side of his paddock and yet is still benefiting from the healing energies.
Signs that an animal is responding to Reiki can include a very intense look, sighs, yawns, laying down, and sleeping. Some may even experience emotional releases in the form of displaying strong emotions and cries. On rare occasions the animals may experience what is referred to as a “healing crisis” or a “healing reaction”. It may appear that the animal’s condition has worsened rather than improved, but this is temporary as the body releases toxins or emotions that no longer serve them. Following a healing reaction animals will appear to have more energy, engagement, or responsiveness. While these reactions can appear overwhelming at times, they are an indication that healing is taking place.
The process allows energy to move at a pace that is comfortable to each animal. The length of a treatment can vary, as mentioned, depending on the animal’s preference. A regular treatment can vary from a few minutes to an hour. If dealing with an issue or crisis, it is recommended to begin with four regular treatments. These sessions can be offered daily, or several times in a week; remotely or on site. Upon completion a reassessment will be needed to see if the issue has fully resolved or if additional healing is required. For some animals dramatic changes are witness after one or two treatments.
For general maintenance it is suggested that animals receive monthly or regular Reiki sessions in order to keep the energy flowing freely. Much like a human going to the gym, walking, etc. the more regularly the individual engages in the process the more clearing they do. Similar to chiropractic care, life is not static and animals will experience bumps and jars that push them out of alignment, especially if they are performing athletic circuits. Just as an athlete accesses regular massage treatments, Reiki can have the same supportive effects. Reiki is an effective pain management tool for animals in chronic pain, especially when used with other healing modalities. It is also important to note that after a treatment an animal should have access to water because they may be thirsty after a treatment.
Reiki is complimentary to both alternative and conventional health care approaches. While spiritual in nature, Reiki is not a religion. Reiki provides love and compassion but does not conflict with religious beliefs. Regardless of the animal’s person’s beliefs they can rest assured that there is no personal or religious conflict by offering an animal the benefits of Reiki.
Reiki should never replace conventional veterinary medical care, however it should be understood that it can work harmoniously with veterinary treatments. An integrative approach to healing can support other treatment methods. Reiki works with antibiotics and other medications and can often lessens the side effects of many medications such as radiation and chemotherapy. Experiencing Reiki is the best way to evaluate this technique.