Reiki for Animals: A Holistic Healing Method Whose Time Has Come!

by Kathleen Prasad

The shelter dog sniffed my palms with interest. He could sense the healing energy emanating from them. After a few moments of assessing this new sensation, he turned around and pushed the raw and newly stitched nub of his amputated leg into my palms. He lay down quietly and sighed, remaining motionless and completely relaxed for the duration of the Reiki treatment.
Time and again, over the years in my animal Reiki practice, I have seen similar signs of relaxation during treatment. In fact, I have come to expect it, even from the most hyperactive animals! And being able to induce rest and stress-relief is only one of Reiki’s wonderful benefits. As the above story illustrates, animals understand what Reiki is and are drawn to use its power for healing. After several treatments, the above dog recovered so quickly from his surgery and previous injuries that the vet and shelter employees were amazed.

Rediscovered from ancient times by Dr. Mikao Usui of Japan in the late 19th century, Reiki, often translated as “universal life energy,” is a holistic healing method that was originally practiced on humans. Today, it is used in hospitals, hospices, and cancer centers around the world. After seeing the benefits for themselves, many people are realizing that Reiki is a holistic healing method for animals whose time has come!

Because it addresses health issues of the animal as a whole, Reiki can effectively address any problem an animal may face: physical, mental/emotional, or spiritual.

It is powerful, yet gentle and noninvasive. It can be given directly to the animal or distantly.

Reiki works safely with other forms of healing, both allopathic and holistic.

Reiki can do no harm and will not give more to the recipient than he or she is open to receive. In other words, Reiki isn’t something you can “overdo”: The animal will only absorb the energy he needs and wants.

Although Reiki always heals on some level, such healing doesn’t necessarily mean a physical cure. For example, sometimes healing may mean making an animal’s passing easier, rather than solving a physical problem.

Finally, unlike many other healing methods, a special connection between practitioner and animal occurs so that animals become “partners” in the healing process, rather than just passive receivers of healing. As illustrated above, sometimes animals will actually place the body parts that need healing into the practitioner’s hands!

As an added benefit of Reiki, learning to be a practitioner of Reiki is very easy. Anyone can learn to give Reiki! All that is required is to take a class from a Reiki Master Teacher. Classes usually last several hours spaced over two days. Once you have received the information and energy attunements given in the class, Reiki energy will begin to flow from your hands, and you can begin giving treatments immediately. I encourage you to locate a Reiki teacher in your neighborhood and find out more about how Reiki can benefit the animals in your life. The animals will thank you for it!

Kathleen Prasad is a Reiki Master Teacher in San Rafael, California. She is committed to educating the public about the use of Reiki with animals through treatments, training programs, publications, and research. For more information, please visit her website at www.animalreikisource.com.