What to Expect When My Animal is Receiving Reiki

When working with animals, I enter into the Reiki space through meditation and invite the animal to join me, if they so please. Reiki will go where it needs to, I do nothing but open myself and ask the Reiki to flow through me for the animal's highest good. Reiki is based on free-will and if the animal is not open to receiving Reiki, Reiki will not be received. Animals are incredible energetic beings and most are naturally drawn to the healing nature of Reiki.  

Some animals will come close to me on the floor while receiving Reiki and some choose to stay at a distance. The proximity of me to the animal does not affect the ability to receive Reiki ~ Reiki can travel distances and, in fact, many of my clients are from other countries. Every animal receiving Reiki reacts differently. As an example, there are times my dog, Jackie, will leave the room and I can feel the energy stop flowing; whereas Dex is constantly licking my hands (as shown in the picture above) and wanting more. Many times animals will fall into a very deep relaxing sleep; sometimes they let out a big sigh; sometimes they twitch; sometimes they lick their lips ~ there is no right or wrong on what can transpire during a session. Every dog is different and Reiki honors the individual needs.   

It is common for an animal to “take” some energy, walk away, then come back again for more. Sometimes they will climb on my lap and put their body where he/she wants my hands to be and other times they choose to be in another room and share in Reiki at a distance. One of my most profound sessions was with a dog who had some insecurities and every time you moved in his home he would nip at your legs. After receiving a Reiki session (with him in the other room), he came over and laid right in front of me on his back for me to pet his belly. He allowed me to move freely throughout the house and I still smile when I think of that beautiful session.

If an animal does not want Reiki I just fill the room with Reiki, creating a peaceful/relaxing environment for gentle healing if they so choose ~ it can never harm and it can only help. I truly have not met an animal who is not naturally drawn to Reiki. Some may take longer to connect with the energy, but animals, unlike humans, do not typically have the walls/blocks humans do.

Please keep in mind that Reiki can be shared with any animal ~ there are no limits on what you can share Reiki with!

What Does a Reiki Session Consist of?

Animal sessions are one hour in duration and are performed in a relaxing environment with me usually sitting on the floor, giving the animal the free will to come and go as they please.   Since animals are usually most comfortable in an environment they are familiar with, I like to do the session in the animal's home (unless I am doing a distant session ~ please see the Distant Reiki tab for more details on a distant session.) By letting the animal be in their own environment there is no added stress and the animal can gently connect with the Reiki energy. Each session is different depending on what the animal may want/need. The session ends with me blessing the animal and “sealing” the animal in Reiki energy for continued healing.   It is important to know that I am just a conduit for the Reiki to flow through. I am not doing the work ~ Reiki is.

How Often Can I, or the Animals I Love, Receive Reiki?

Animals and people can receive Reiki as often as they would like!  Sometimes an immediate response is experienced ~ other times it may take several sessions. There are many factors in how an animal responds to Reiki, i.e., how open he/she is to connecting with the Reiki energy or how deep the "issue" may be. One session is a wonderful gift you can share with your animal. If your animal is experiencing dis-ease, I would recommend three session within a short period, then possibly once a month sessions to maintain balance/wellness. These are just some of the considerations when deciding how often it is appropriate to share Reiki with your animal.    

Reiki always heals for the highest good. You may have a picture of what you feel the highest good of the animal is, when in fact, there is much more going on than meets the eye. It is important to trust and know you have given your animal an immense emotional, spiritual and physical gift by treating them to a Reiki session.