The Healing Power of Animal Reiki

Just as people are turning to alternative methods of healing for themselves, they now realize the alternative healing modality of Reiki and how it can support their pets. The energetic healing power of Reiki can transform an animal’s health and well-being.

I met Joan Marlow, a Reiki Master, many years ago when I attended a health workshop on aging. In hearing about the healing power of Reiki for humans, I was intrigued and captivated. Shortly after, I attended a Reiki class to become a Reiki practitioner, and with my love of ani- mals, I expanded my training to become an Animal Reiki practitioner. I didn’t realize then that Reiki would support me in saving my dog’s life and ultimately helping others with their pets.

When Ranger was about five years old, he developed a lump in his neck that appeared overnight. Worried, we visited his vet, who aspirated it while sharing that it would most likely come back and require removal with the likelihood of cancer. I was sent home with medications and what was thought to be the best plan for the immediate future. With my knowledge of animal reiki, I began to put my practice to use to help Ranger. Feeling like I couldn’t do it alone, I confided in my Reiki share group and asked them to join me in sharing this healing energy with my baby. I provided a current picture of Ranger and sent it to everyone in the group. For the next week and a half, I received positive messages of encouragement and growing members sharing and sending Ranger Reiki energy, focusing on his neck and the tumor. Then something amazing happened. Just as quickly as the lump had appeared, it disappeared. One day I noticed it had shrunk to practically non-existent! At our follow-up with the vet, she couldn’t believe that the mass was gone and asked with curiosity what I had done to help. She was astonished as I explained the Reiki that was shared. Ranger never needed surgery, nor did any other lumps or tumours appear again. To this day, he is happy and healthy. I entirely attribute this to the healing power of Reiki.

As Joan says, “Reiki goes where it is needed. We might be the facilitators, but the animals lead the way of their healing.’’

Suffering Dog Speaks to Joan

Several years ago, Joan was at a client’s home for a coaching session, which included some meditation. From across the room, Payson, the clients, flat coated lab, approached Joan and started nuzzling her hand, directing it to rest over her heart. Joan got the overwhelming sense she needed to focus on this animal and find out what it was trying to say. As Joan applied her hand to the dog’s chest, she felt the strong and clear message., “My heart is broken; I feel I’m being replaced.” Joan began to cry, and Julie, the client, asked what was happening. When Joan explained what she sensed from Payson, Julie began to cry too.

The family had recently adopted a puppy, and Payson, with her graying muzzle, was heartbroken that a younger, more playful dog was replacing her. Payson didn’t dislike the puppy but felt left out and forgotten. Julie was shocked and dismayed and kept repeating that it wasn’t the intention; Payson was deeply loved by the family and held an extraordinary place in Julie’s heart. Together they had earned the certification as a therapy dog team to work with seniors in rehabs, those bed-bound, and school visits with children. It took Julie only a second to immediately re-home the puppy and demonstrate her love, loyalty and devotion to the aging Payson. Weeks later, Joan revisited the family and found Payson in good spirits and much happier.

Reiki is a mind and heart-centred meditative focus. When you think kind and loving thoughts about someone or something, the energy flows through you and to whatever/whoever you’re having kind and loving thoughts about. Animal Reiki Practitioners must center themselves before trying to help the animal. They then ask for guidance in this meditative mindset in supporting the most significant and highest good for the animal or person you’re focusing on.

Years ago, Animal Reiki Practitioners would go into the animal’s habitat and offer focused, targeted Reiki for specific issues. Sometimes the dog, cat, horse or other creature would be resistant and unreceptive because we were targeting the Reiki ‘at them.’ With the practitioner often sitting on the floor, they would send Reiki into the space for the animal to receive or approach the subject more intrusively. Now practitioners will often sit on the floor and ‘invite’ the animal to join them in this meditation with the thought being, ’ Join me in this meditation.’’ Typically animals will fall asleep or, at the very least, show calmness when receiving Reiki. es, this energy can facilitate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote the smooth flow of healing energy throughout the body. Hopefully, as more people experience the benefits of Reiki, it will become more widely recognized as a valuable tool for animal wellness.

There’s so much more that can be learned about the power of Reiki to help the well-being of animals. Even though this is an ancient Japanese practice it’s constantly evolving and

Reiki is excellent to share in an animal shelter where the evidence of the animal joining in the meditation is that a quiet calm takes the place of barking and agitation.

Traditional Veterinarians and Reiki

While traditional or Western medicine veterinarians may not yet acknowledge Reiki as a form of treatment or healing aid, many holistic and naturopathic vets have embraced it in their practice. It’s important to note that animal Reiki practitioners do not claim to be vets and instead act as a conduit for potent healing energy. By helping to release energy blockag- adapting to the needs of animals as well as humans.

To learn more about animal Reiki, become an Animal Reiki Practitioner for your pets, or help others, please visit www.peacefullyhealng.com or reach out to Joan at

Joan@peacefullyhealing.com. Joan’s business Peaceful Easy Healing offers life and wellness coaching, education and alternative practices (Reiki for humans and their pets).