Preparing your animal for a Reiki session

How do you make sure your pet gets the most out of a healing session? The right preparation is key.  Your goal is to make sure there are no distractions, so your pet can focus and give the Reiki energy time to soak into the areas that are ready to heal.

Follow your pet’s normal feeding and exercise schedule, so their basic needs are met. If there are other animals around the house, designate a room away from the main traffic areas for the Reiki practitioner and your pet.  There should be no other family members watching, commenting or serving as a distraction. This is a time to be still and create a clear opening for Reiki to do its work.

In the case of horses, move them away from common areas where other horses are being groomed, fed, saddled, ridden, etc. to a pen where you and the practitioner can be alone with the horse. The horse can wear a simple halter, but no bit, saddle or other equipment. If necessary, a cribbing muzzle can be left on, but it’s preferable to take it off for the session.

Your pet may need time to settle down and get used to the presence of the practitioner. I use this time to talk with you about your animal’s history, any concerns you might have and to gently pet the animal to let them know they are safe with me.

Animals have their own way of accepting Reiki energy. Reiki registers for horses include: soft or half-closed eyes, lowered head, twitching mouth, passing gas, snorting, sighing, and breathing more deeply.  They may stay in one place as I move my hands, or they may do a “healing dance,” where they walk around me or position certain areas of their body under my hands. They can change sides, present their head or buttocks, and/or cock one of their rear legs.

Dogs will remain quiet, yet alert and settle in front of me and usually prefer hands-on Reiki, while cats will curl up near me or at a distance and go into a Reiki nap.