by Shawna Ricci B.A., CCMT, CFTBS, ABCDT
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing. It can be offered to humans or animals of any age and is a safe, gentle method of healing. It involves the transfer of “Universal” or Source energy from practitioner to client. This can be done hands-on, from a short distance, or by proxy across a large distance. The premise is that when flooded with this universal energy, the body is able to heal and balance itself as it was meant to. So the person offering the Reiki is not actually healing the client; he/she is facilitating the transfer of energy that helps the client to heal him or herself.
The benefits of Reiki for pets include physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. It aids in pain management, reduced inflammation, and accelerated healing. This makes it beneficial for chronic pain issues (i.e. arthritis, hip dysplasia) or acute injuries like a broken bone or bite wound.
Reiki promotes stress reduction and relaxation, making it helpful for nervous, anxious and skittish animals. It can help adopted pets, for example, transition into their new homes with greater ease. Reiki also complements traditional training and rehabilitation—in all species, not just dogs. It supports behavioral modification by reducing stress, removing energetic blockages, and encouraging a more confident, stable animal who will be receptive to growth and change.
Finally, it assists animals during end-of-life or hospice care, as well as at the time of passing. It can provide pets with comfort, relaxation, pain relief, and spiritual connection during their sacred time of transition. Veterinarians have commented about the unusual peace that some dogs and cats have exuded while receiving Reiki during their euthanasia appointments. This is a beautiful thing for both the animal as well as his or her human guardian. And when faced with grief and loss, Reiki offers human and animal survivors emotional healing as they move through this painful period of time.
How does Reiki work? Our entire universe is made up of energy, and as quantum physics has shown, everything (and everyone) is made up of the same “stuff.” We are energetic beings, including our pets, and we are all part of a collective consciousness. In addition to this, within our bodies we have chakras or energy centers as well as meridians or pathways that the energy follows. So when this energy is flowing smoothly, without blockages or stagnant areas, then the other functions of the body are working at their best.
How does it help a person or animal emotionally? Well, an emotion is energy with thought and intention behind it. Our emotions begin in that same energy field and can be influenced by Reiki. Each thought that we have has a vibration, which sends signals to the brain and throughout the body. Think of how when you are depressed, you might feel heavy, sluggish, and fatigued. The emotion of depression…the energy…the vibration…is connected to every cell in your body. This affects the body in the moment with acute or temporary symptoms. And it can also create long-term conditions when the emotion and energy is chronic or stagnant.
Animals are naturals when it comes to Reiki because they don’t intellectualize or question it. They instinctually understand the language and essence of energy and are more willing to accept the healing vibrations. When animals are introduced to Reiki energy, they will often be drawn to it and may even let you know (through body language and behavior) where they would like the energy to be focused or when they have had enough for one session. For this reason, it is important to allow the animal enough freedom of movement during a session to be able to communicate their needs. When offering Reiki or animal massage care to larger animals such as dogs or cats, you can start out on a bed or mat, but also give them the ability to get up and move away if they want to. When working with small animals, such as guinea pigs or hamsters, you can start the session with them on your lap to see how they respond, but be sure to give them a little bit of space to move away if they need to, while still keeping them safely within certain boundaries. Although many animals enjoy a hands-on experience with Reiki, some prefer to lay down a few feet away to reduce the intensity. Others might move close to the practitioner’s hands for a portion of the session, then shift positions and “show” the person where they want more energy, and even walk away and lay at the other end of the room when they are finished! It truly is fascinating to experience Reiki sessions with animals and to get to know their individual preferences.
Our pets are energetic sponges, and it’s not always easy for them to live with us. We have deep, intimate bonds with our animals and go through many ups and downs in our journeys together. It truly is a gift to offer Reiki to pets and to help them balance themselves physically and emotionally as they share our experiences and energy fields.
While Reiki is completely safe for all animals, from puppies/kittens to adults and seniors, it is not a substitute for veterinary care. As with other alternative methods, Reiki provides a gentle and effective addition to your pet’s health and wellness plan.
About the Author
Shawna has a background in Psychology, earning her B.A. from West Chester University and going on to work with adults & children with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries, and autism. After obtaining her dog obedience certification from Animal Behavior College, Shawna traveled the country to study with dog trainers and behaviorists to delve deeper into the world of dog psychology. A Reiki Master-Practitioner (Usui System of Natural Healing), Shawna’s energy healing complements her work as a Certified Canine Massage Therapist (Equissage). Her experience with her personal “cat pack” as well as her volunteer work with Stray Cat Blues, have supported her studies with Animal Behavior Institute, where she obtained her certification as a Feline Training & Behavior Specialist. She has experience assisting owners during end-of-life care and euthanasia for dogs/cats, and has taken several courses in the Animal Loss & Grief Support Professional Program of Study with Teresa Wagner. She is the co-author of The Betty Dog Series, a trilogy of children’s books that promotes kindness, empathy, & compassion through the eyes of a special needs dog. Books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.
