Reiki is not just for people!
Reiki for Pets and Animals
By Yvonne McSherry Reiki Master/Teacher
I have often been asked by students new to Reiki, if Reiki can be used on animals!!
This has shocked me as this means that there are some Reiki teachers out there that are just attuning people to the Reiki energy and not teaching the correct information.
Reiki is safe to use for any living life form. This includes all species, plants and animals. Everything is composed of energy. Many of the animals I treat are also undergoing traditional veterinary care. Reiki sessions promote speedier healing of physical trauma caused by accidents or surgery. And many of my Reiki students study and practice Reiki for the sole purpose of offering healing support for their beloved animal companions.
My Reiki practice includes work with many animals, all of whom LOVE the Reiki energy. Animals generally love Reiki. It's important to approach them slowly at first as Reiki feels a little strange to them when they receive it the first time. Our animals are very connected to us, so much so that they feel our stresses and pain. The primary difference between us is that we humans have belief systems to get beyond. Our pets live in the moment, here and now and simply want to heal. There are no preconceived notions to get over. They understand healing energy and its benefits immediately and once they have received the Reiki, they will actually come looking to you for it.
Reiki is a beautiful way to bond with ones' pet as well. My own 3 dogs tend to jump right in my lap immediately when I begin to do Reiki on myself. In fact, one of my dog’s Crystal will actually push her body underneath one of my hands as if to say, "Do me too, Mum"
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Small animals do not need as much Reiki energy as the larger animals. Sick animals need more Reiki than healthy animals (regardless of size). So if you have a small animal (newborn puppy, rodent, bird, etc.) they can be held in one hand, and the other hand held close its body, and treatment time should be about 15 minutes. For medium sized animals like (dogs, domestic cats, etc.), you would place your hands on their back and belly of their body. Often they don’t like their heads being touched. Just remember to treat the entire body, with exception to the head, legs and feet. Treatment would normally last for approx. 15 minutes to 1/2 hour.
And for large domesticated animals (large breed dogs, horses, cows, sheep etc.) you would place your hands over many areas of their bodies and treatment may last from 15 minutes to one hour.
For all other animals, (wild species in zoo’s etc,) I would only recommend "distance/absentee" treatments. This requires Reiki 2 symbols. For un-tamed birds in a cage, fish in a tank, poisonous animals in aquariums, etc., it is recommended to place the hands on either side (top and bottom) of their container/home. Reiki will go through the glass or other materials.
Animals are usually much more sensitive than humans, and as such, they may shy away from the energy at first. But they will grow accustomed to the feeling of the Reiki, realizing that it is good for them, and they will eventually allow much longer times of treatment. Be guided by your inner sense and feelings as to where to lay hands and how long to leave them in the positions chosen.
In my experience and that of other students/friends of mine, when we/they are feeling "out-of-sorts", our animals will sometimes sense that something is wrong, and want to be nearby, until the crisis is over. With animals that are attuned to Reiki and used to the Reiki energy, there are many reports of animals, especially dogs and cats that will lie down with their owners and their paws will actually become warm, as Reiki flows through their bodies.
Animals love Reiki and can benefit from a treatment just as much as humans. Reiki can help calm a nervous pet, ease pain from sore joints and muscles help an animal cope with chronic or acute conditions, even help a performance animal relax and focus.
I'll tell you a little personal story. About 7 years ago, my then-12-year-old Westie dog broke her back. She was paralysed in her back end and couldn't walk. A vet said that he could operate on her - for £1,000! - with no guarantee she would walk again. I took her home, kept her immobilized in her bed, and did Reiki on her three times a day for two months. It was a long intensive, slow healing, but by the time she died of sweet old age at 17, she was walking on all four feet! And Running around after only 4 months.
I have no doubt that Reiki supported her already strong will to live, and helped her back heal as best it could. When she did pass it was totally pain free.
Reiki doesn't always provide a cure, though without a doubt I have seen some "miracles." Sometimes, all a Reiki practitioner can do is helping an animal transition peacefully to the next world. The hardest thing any pet owner has to go through is the illness or suffering of a beloved pet. Most of us who've experienced it can immediately identify with the grief and feelings of helplessness that owners in these situations must endure.
How You and Reiki Can Help Your Pet
- Reiki can provide relief from the effects of arthritis, rheumatism and other debilitating conditions in animals.
- Reiki can accelerate the healing of post-surgical trauma, wounds, breaks and sprains in animals.
- Reiki can delay the onset and progression of certain diseases in animals.
- Reiki can energize and revitalize an older animal.
- Reiki can soothe and calm highly-strung, hyper-active and stressed animals.
- Reiki can help to alleviate lethargy and depression in animals.
- Reiki is not a replacement for, but rather an adjunct to, other forms of therapy and medication.
This artivle was written by Yvonne McSherry | Reiki Master/Teacher - ICHT IIHHT MASC .
Email:
VonnieMcS@aol.com | Tel: 01244 881 691
Mob: 07986 21 21 28 | Web:
www.reikipower.co.uk
