Friends Of Baxter

Animal Reiki

Before a therapy session is offered, the Animal Reiki Practitioner will gather information relating to the reason for Reiki being sought, the animal’s health/ well-being, both past and present veterinary diagnoses, previous experience of Reiki (if any) and details regarding the animal’s temperament. Reiki will be explained, along with expectations from this therapy.

For any undiagnosed known or suspected conditions, a veterinary diagnosis should first be sought.

The Reiki session will vary depending upon the animal, their physical, mental & emotional state and the reason why Reiki is sought. Ideally, Reiki will be offered in an environment that is familiar and quiet for the animal, and at a time where animals can feel relaxed and most at ease. We like to make it clear that the animal is in charge. They choose whether, and if so, how much Reiki they wish to take, how they wish to receive it and for how long.

What Happens in an Animal Reiki Session?

If offering an in-person session, we typically start from a distance, allowing the animal to come closer and seek a hands-on (vs hands off or distant) therapy session if they wish. Reiki may be offered hands-on, hands off (a few inches to a few feet away), remotely (typically  6-10 feet away, but could be further) or distantly (from any world-wide location).

When a Reiki Practitioner places her hands on or near a person or animal, the practitioner will often feel heat, tingling or pulsing. This will happen when Reiki energy is flowing from the Practitioner’s hands.  The Practitioner will typically be aware of areas of higher energy sensitivity e.g where the sensation (such as heat) is intensified and this will relate to areas where the body is drawing more of the ‘healing’ energy.

When Reiki energy flows, people usually feel warmth from the practitioner’s hands and a sense of calm relaxation typically follows, although other feelings or benefits are possible, and it is believed that animals feel the same. They certainly show signs of relaxation in many instances.

Animals appear to have a better natural understanding of this energy than us and will frequently push their sore body area(s) into a practitioner’s hands and then move their body round when that area has received enough and another area requires attention; offering a lick or nuzzle to show their gratitude at the end of the session.

Animal Reiki sessions typically last 30 minutes to 1 hour but it depends entirely on how much Reiki the animal wishes to receive. In some instances, more than an hour may be appreciated by the animal. 

The first session includes a consultation and so may be slightly longer, unless this information has been gathered in advance.

Travel costs will typically be added as Animal Reiki Practitioners usually travel to you, allowing the animal to be in a place that feels safe and familiar. 

The Benefits of Reiki

Reiki is relaxing and comforting, improving the feeling of well-being and sense of self. It works on the mind and body and is often offered to animals:

  • to help with stress, anxiety or other emotions (this may also benefit related issues)
  • to help reduce pain/ discomfort
  • to support and possibly speed up recovery from illness, injury or surgery 
  • for general well-being
  • to support ageing animals and those at/ near end of life
  • to help relax an animal before a situation that may be stressful (their response may then be less reactive)
  • for a wide range of other situations and conditions where relaxation will be beneficial 

Many animals sleep when Reiki is offered to them. If you think about a time when you or your animals(‘s) have been ill or recovering from illness/ surgery, it is common to sleep more than at other times. In this relaxed state the body is in its best state for self-recovery and tissue repair. When Reiki is offered it helps the body to reach a relaxed state where sleep is easier and natural healing is promoted.

Reiki supports conventional veterinary medication and treatment and must not be viewed as a replacement for it. It can comfort animals that are passing and may assist when no other treatment has helped. 

Although veterinary consent is not required, a vet’s diagnosis should be gained prior to Reiki being offered to animals when a medical health issue is known or suspected to exist. A Reiki practitioner is not permitted to make a diagnosis.

Why Choose The Natural & Holistic Complementary Way?