Reiki FAQ – Part 2

In this blog, I will address a number of questions regarding learning Reiki for oneself.

Can anyone learn Reiki?

Yes. Reiki is a healing system that can be learned by anyone. There are no prerequisites. A lot of people learn Reiki to help themselves, family and friends, as well as their pets. Others, such as doctors, veterinarians, nurses, human and animal massage therapists, etc. learn Reiki to use as an adjunct in their professional practice.

Is Reiki just for people and animals?

No. Reiki energy can be used for just about anything. In addition to helping people and animals, Reiki can be used to help every living thing. As it helps restore energetic balance, it can be used for plants, water, the earth, etc.

I see there are different Reiki systems?

Yes, there are a number of Reiki healing systems available, these days. While the term Reiki became synonimous in the Western world with the healing system developed by the Japanese Mikao Usui,  it is a  Japanese term that refers to universal energy-based healing systems in general. Mikao Usui’s Reiki system or Usui Reiki can be split into two branches: Usui Shiki Ryoho, adapted to suit Western society after its import into the United States in the 1930s and Usui Reiki Ryoho, which teaches Reiki from the Japanese perspective. At Fauna Wellness, Usui Reiki classes are taught from a Western perspective but include additional information regarding traditional Japanese practices. For an explanation of other Reiki healing systems and their origins, see the world-wide-web!  

I want to learn Reiki – what do I do?

After you have decided which Reiki system feels right for you, you can search for classes in your area via the internet. You may want to call or meet with individual instructors,  to ask them about their qualifications, experience, course fees, and what you can expect from their classes, so that you can decide whether you feel comfortable studying with that person.

Reiki FAQ – Part 1

Today, I thought I would address some common questions regarding Reiki and its practice.

What is Reiki?

As I mention on this site’s  Animal Reiki page, Reiki is an energy healing system that originated in Japan. It was developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s and was introduced in the United States in the 1930s. It is based on the use of universal life force energy, also called chi, prana, ki, orgon, etc.  It is the energy that animates all life, the energy of the universe. Reiki is used in instances where our life force may be diminished for some reason, to help replenish and restore us energetically, which then assists in bringing balance to all levels of our being. Today, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine division of the US National Institute of Health classifies Reiki as Biofield Therapy.

How does Reiki work?

In a Reiki treatment, the practitioner sets a clear intent and allows the  energy to flow through her and out of her hands to the person or animal in need of healing. The practitioner does not first build up and then use her own energy, but merely acts as a conduit for the universal life force energy. In the process, the practitioner reaches a quiet, meditative state, concentrating on the energy flow. The person or animal being treated also reaches a deep state of complete relaxation, in which healing can take place.

What does a Reiki treatment look like?

In the case of a human client, the person either lies on a massage table or sits in a comfortable chair, fully clothed, while the practitioner places her hands either on or slightly above the body in a series of hand positions. In the case of animals, the practitioner begins the energy flow while being in the vicinity of the animal, allowing the animal to approach on its own. Reiki treatments can also be given at a distance.

What does it feel like to receive Reiki?

As a practitioner, I not only give Reiki treatments to others, but I also practice daily self-treatments. Receiving Reiki is a very comforting and deeply relaxing experience. The energy flow through the body feels warm, nurturing, and very calming. Breathing becomes deep and slow. Often, the person or animal receiving Reiki begins to doze or even falls asleep.  After a treatment, one may feel refreshed, energized, calm, content.

Can Reiki do any harm?

Reiki can never do harm. The practitioner offers the energy, and the person or animal takes as much as they need. Therefore, there can never be an “energy overload.” On occasion, after a treatment, a healing reaction can occur, where a condition temporarily seems to worsen. However, this is a sign that the body is detoxing, and it is of brief duration. In the case of a healing reaction, it is beneficial to drink plenty of water, eat light, healthy meals, and get plenty of rest. Additional Reiki treatments may also be beneficial. After a Reiki treatment, it is important to drink plenty of water.

What is the benefit of receiving Reiki treatments?

The purpose of a Reiki treatment is to support healing. While all illnesses can be treated with Reiki, a specific outcome cannot be guaranteed. Reiki, being universal energy, cannot be manipulated by the practitioner to work on a particular issue. The practitioner therefore sets the clear intent that the Reiki energy may work on whatever the client needs most, so as not to limit the energy’s effectiveness. However, healing always takes place. Reiki will work on whatever needs healing most, whether it is a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual issue, and regardless of whether practitioner and client are aware of the issue or not. Ultimately, Reiki supports each person or animal in healing themselves.

Have you our your animal had Reiki treatments? What was your experience? To leave a comment, just click on the blog title. I’d love to hear about your observations and impressions regarding Reiki!

Going to the Vet Part 2 – At the Clinic

Strategies to help you and your animal

1.  At the clinic, ask your vet to explain, in detail, what he or she is going to do and why.

Have him or her do this in the presence of the animal, so that your companion can listen in. If the animal needs to be taken out of the exam room for any testing, etc., make sure your vet again explains everything in detail in the presence of your companion. If your vet is open to this, he or she can also talk to your animal companion directly.

2. Share any information with your vet.

If you have any kind of thought or gut-feeling popping up about anything that is going on with your animal companion, even if it doesn’t make sense to you at the time, listen to it and be sure to tell your vet; your animal companion may be trying to communicate with you.

While Animal Communicators cannot - and should not – diagnose, they can nevertheless assist people by letting them know how their animal is feeling, which can be helpful to the attending veterinarian in fine-tuning his or her diagnosis. However, when your animal appears to be ill or acts unusual, it is best to first consult a veterinarian, in order to rule out any medical problems.

Ella’s Story – A Case in Point

I recently took my cat Ella to an eye specialist for what appeared to be an inflammation of the eye that did not respond to antibiotic treatment. As the eye specialist explained things to me in detail, I had Ella stay on the exam table to listen in. Her condition required treatment with eye drops three times a day for some weeks. When I got ready to administer the drops, I communicated to Ella the importance of the treatment. At first, she protested, but when the first drops already markedly improved her condition, I was able to convince her that taking the medicine was for the best. From then on, she not only calmly held still, but she even reminded me of the drops when I had a hectic day and almost forgot to administer them!

What strategies have you found helpful to minimize stress for you and your animal companion at the vet’s office? To leave a comment, just click on the blog title. I’d like to hear about your ideas!

Going to the Vet Part 1 – Getting ready

Strategies to help you and your animal

Veterinary visits are often a cause of stress for animals and their people, even if it is just a matter of the annual check-up. On this blog, I thought I would share some strategies that can help minimize the stress for both parties and increase the likelihood that your animal will cooperate.

1. Try putting yourself in your animal’s position.

What is it like to be in a carrier, in a car on the road with unfamiliar noises and smells, and particularly at the clinic, where your animal companion may sense other animals around that may be hurting in one way or another? This can be pretty scary and confusing. After all, most of us don’t enjoy going to the doctor, the hospital or the emergency ro0m, either.

2. Be honest with your animal.

They know when we withhold information from them, and they know when we lie. Tell your animal that a trip to the veterinarian is necessary, when it will happen, and why.

3. Remain calm and confident when getting ready for the visit.

If you have encountered difficulties in the past, try to let go of any apprehensions; be calm but firm. If your animal is particularly panicky about veterinary visits, you can help your animal – and yourself – remain calm by using flower essences. Start administering flower essences, such as Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, a day before the visit. Put 3-4 drops of essence into the drinking water bowl and stir. As you get ready to go, you can also rub 3-4 drops of essence onto the animal’s body. If necessary, administer another series of drops at the vet’s office, as well as one more series right after the visit. You can also add 5-7 drops of essence to a mister filled with water and lightly mist the animal and the inside of the travel kennel.

What strategies have you found helpful when you and your animal companion are getting ready to see the vet? To leave a comment, just click on the blog title. I’m interested in hearing about your experiences!

On the other side of the examination table

I have a lot of respect for veterinarians. Not only do they have to be knowledgeable about the anatomy and disease processes of at least the most common domestic animals, they also are dealing with patients who might kick, bite, or otherwise try to express their opposition to any treatment they may need. At one time, I seriously considered becoming a vet myself and decided to volunteer at a clinic, to see whether daily life as a vet was how I imagined it to be. I enjoyed the work but realized that with my utter lack of any talent for math, my plan was doomed from the start. However, my interest in the profession remains, and so after reading James Herriot’s books a number of years ago (my all-time favorites, so far), I recently picked up another book by a veterinarian that I thought I’d talk about on this blog.

“Tell me where it hurts”

The book I just read is “Tell me Where it Hurts: A day of humor, healing, and hope in my life as an animal surgeon” by Nick Trout, veterinary surgeon at Boston’s Angell Animal Medical Center. While I can’t say I care for Dr. Trout’s writing style - I think he sounds like a jock, at times - what he does have to say makes the book a very informative and worthwhile read, so much so that I had a hard time putting it down. With great empathy, Nick Trout tells the touching, and sometimes humorous stories of a number of animals and their people that come to see him, and in his writing, he strikes a good balance between telling us about the moving human-animal bond he witnesses in each case, and giving us fascinating, medical-technical information about how he arrives at his diagnoses, while also providing us with an interesting look behind the scenes of one of the country’s largest animal hospitals.

Above all, though, this is a book about the love between people and their animal companions, the animals’ courage in the face of grave illness or injury, and the tremendous efforts people will make to help them. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Do you have a favorite book about veterinary medicine? I’d love to hear about it! To leave a comment, just click on the blog title.

No Chance Encounter

The story of a very determined kitten…*

About six months ago, my friend found this kitten stuck in the tree in front of her house. When I communicated with the little guy, he told me that he had been abandoned, and that he wanted to be called ‘Angelo.’ I found his calm, mature demeanor so endearing, that I asked him whether he wanted to come and live with me. He politely declined and then informed me that he would like to stay with my friend, as he was “waiting for someone in particular.” My friend fosters animals for a rescue society, so that was no problem. After notifying the local animal shelter, she started taking Angelo to numerous adoption events, but a curious thing happened each time: he showed no interest in other people and stayed close to my friend. Then, a few weeks ago, a couple came to adopt a puppy my friend was fostering. During the adoption consultation, Angelo jumped into the man’s lap and wouldn’t budge! His person had finally come, and both he and the puppy found a new home – together.

*animal stories and pictures are used only with the consent of the animal’s person

How about your animal companions? How did you find them – or how did they find you?

To leave a comment, just click on the blog title. I’d love to hear your story!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my blog!

Here I will post useful information about anything related to Animal Reiki, Animal Communication, the human-animal bond, inspiring books I come across, and the occasional story about some of the amazing souls-in-fur/feathers/scales I get to meet in my work! In short, I hope for my blog to be a place where we can have heartfelt conversations about our animal companions and the world we share with them.