Please see my page on Usui Reiki for a full introduction to the history of reiki and how it works.
Reiki for Animals
Reiki is a wonderful offering for any living being, including humans, animals, and plants, as well as for the natural world around us. Animals are particularly sensitive to reiki, and we are largely reliant on reading their body language to understand how they feel about receiving reiki. For this reason, it is important for Animal Reiki practitioners to have undergone specialist training.
I am currently completing my training hours towards my Level 1 qualification in Animal Reiki, and will then go on to complete my Level 2, at which point I will be eligible for animal reiki insurance to work as an animal reiki practitioner. Until that time, I am opening up my books to those who would like to volunteer their time (and their animal friend) to help me gain experience.
This is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more, and for your animal friend to receive the beautiful reiki energies. Animals are affected by illness, stress, anxiety and trauma just like people, and they also enjoy a bit of pampering, just like people! The biggest benefit of reiki for animals is that it helps them to relax. When we relax, our nervous system can switch from a ‘threat’ state (commonly referred to as ‘fight or flight’) to a ‘relax’ state, where the body can engage its own natural healing processes. In this relaxed state, the body and mind can heal, be receptive to care, and recuperate in a way that is not possible in a threat state.
I have already seen some of the benefits of this, with some of the animals I have worked with seeing an improvement in health issues, and some bounce-off-the-wall canine chums zonking-out on the living room floor, much to the surprise and delight of their owners. Not all animals will see these kinds of effects (just like not all people do). And like people, not all animals will want reiki, so part of my role is to be receptive to the signs that they are saying ‘no.’
Throughout the session, I will be making a note of any movements your animal makes that may indicate they are receiving/processing the reiki energies, such as stretching, yawning, sleeping, twitching. I will also make a note of how I am experiencing the reiki, for example, pressure, tingling or heat in my hands or body, and any colours or other information I ‘see’ in my mind’s eye. These observations will be noted in your animal’s session notes.
A typical animal reiki session
It is important for sessions to be as guided by the animal as possible. For this reason, I am happy to conduct sessions either at my Droitwich therapy room, or in your own home. Sessions typically take place at a time of day that does not interfere with the animal’s normal routine (i.e. not too close to meals or walks).
Any kind of animal is welcome to have a session, and I am happy to work with more than one animal at once, provided they can both be receptive and one does not disrupt the other’s experience (which we may not be able to find out until the session has begun which is not a problem).
The first session especially (but likely all of them) essentially involves me sitting in a reiki meditation for the whole hour, while your animal(s) are free to do exactly what feels best for them. I like to put on some relaxing background music, and encourage owners to relax and close their eyes (you can receive the reiki too!) or read a book so that their attention is not too focused on their animal. It’s a beautiful feeling in the room when everyone, people and animals, are resting in harmony like this.
Animals are very sensitive to reiki, so rather than me going up to them and placing my hands on them (which may cause stress to some), it is better for me to fill the room with reiki, and the animal can sit and soak it up (if they wish), or they can indicate they do not want reiki by leaving the room/going as far away as possible. Some animals need a bit of time to get used to reiki, and may come closer to the practitioner the more sessions they have. Others may very clearly indicate it is not for them, which is absolutely fine.
If the animal approaches me, for example, by pushing its head into my hand or sitting on my lap, that shows them exercising their own autonomy in how they would like to receive reiki. Others may just lie quietly on the floor and snooze.
As with people, animals may become more receptive to reiki over time, so it can be good to have a few sessions to allow them this space to open up in their own time.
Fees
Animal reiki sessions are currently free of charge, as by booking a session for your animal friend you volunteer your time to help me gain practical experience hours towards my qualifications. You proceed at your own risk, with the understanding that I am in training and therefore not yet insured for animal reiki. You will be asked to sign a consent form to this effect.
Booking a session
Please get in touch either by email, text, or telephone if you are interested in booking a session for your animal friend. I will ask some questions to establish the best location and time for a session, and if it is a home visit I will make a safety assessment. You will then be asked to complete a consent form and client information sheet detailing your pet’s temperament and any medical or behavioural issues. Please do feel free to ask me any questions you may have about animal reiki.
Thank you!
I want to take a moment to say ‘thank you’ because it is no small thing to offer your time to help someone with their training like this. If you book 3 or more sessions (which allows me to write up a case study), I would like to additionally thank you with a free session of Usui reiki for yourself! 😊
