A Presentation to a Business Network Group – 2013
Good morning to each of you!
Some of you have been asking me what it is, exactly, that I do! I offer an opportunity for you to experience a world outside of our own, an opportunity to see and feel your animals like never before, and to experience a healing of yourself and/or your animal on a level that is beyond science. READY? Let’s go on a journey……..
I have had an affinity for animals since I was a child, my comfort and confidence around them was something that was within me and I now understand why. In the last 12 years I have learned how to connect with animals on a level that helps me to understand their physical and emotional concerns and how best to help them. So, what does that look like? I focus on how the animal presents itself to me physically and emotionally. Is the animal in my lap within minutes, or across the room because trust is an issue? Is the animal offering me a part of their body that needs attention, or opening me to their heart to share emotional trauma? This work is one that requires no boundaries, no agenda and no preconceived ideas of what is needed.
My own animals have been my incredible guides. Kobo, Nira and Echoe have all shown me that there is a place for traditional care, BUT, there are also other options. For each of my animals, traditional care did not work and so I was forced to look elsewhere. This was their way of introducing me to the work I do today. Though much of it was traumatic at the time, I understand why I was led in this direction and am grateful each and every day. Kobo and Nira have since passed, but continue to guide me. Echoe will be 21 this year and continues to show me the way forward, he is a blessing. AND, my cat, Jiggers will be 22 this year and apparently still has work to do here.
I met Ralph (an elderly Sheepdog) and his owner at a seminar I was offering a couple of months ago on animal reiki. As I began to share stories and information on Reiki, Ralph came and placed himself in my lap, all 90 pounds of him, with his front paw on my shoulder. Apparently I was going to demonstrate Reiki on Ralph!!! Ralph had never experienced reiki before, but somehow he knew what I was offering and wanted it, in that moment, regardless of my agenda for the seminar. Ralph had officially become a REiKi JUNKIE!
At a fundraising event I did last year in Newburyport, I was chatting with some friends when a dog dragged his owner through the crowd and placed himself in front of me. Everyone was convinced that the dog knew me, but that was not the case! He felt the energy, and wanted some of it!!
What is Reiki? You can’t see it, touch it, pick it up. Reiki is to be experienced, to be felt in order to be understood. Reiki is a transfer of energy through the practitioner to the Recipient to create an environment where the mind, body and soul can heal at the DNA/Cellular level. Image your cells as tiny batteries, these batteries can get depleted through trauma, stress, loss, anxiety and so on. Reiki energy recharges these batteries, your cells, to enable the body to heal itself. Healing is controlled by the Recipient and therefore only the healing that the recipient is ready for will be received. The body can and will heal itself, sometimes it needs a little boost to do the job J
When working with animals I receive visual and audible information from them which I have learned to interpret and share with the owner so that a healing can take place. For one dog I was shown him sitting in a boat on the ocean. He shared this with me as it was very important to him. The owner told me it was one of his most favorite things to do. This dog was nearing the end of his life and so I felt this was his way of saying – let’s go and enjoy ourselves on the ocean. I was sent a photograph of this dog in complete bliss, riding on the boat out on the ocean – his last wishes had been honored.
I have recently been working with Roxy, a chiuiaha, who came to me because she had some behavioral issues. She was terrified of riding in the car and of the heater blowing, she would shake a lot and wouldn’t settle. Nothing seemed to be working and her owner was just so concerned about finding a way to fix this issue. Roxy went home after her first session with an essential oil blend to help balance her emotions. I asked her owner to use breathing techniques with herself to calm herself as her dog was feeding off of some of her anxiety. Their relationship has changed and Roxy is doing so much better. Roxy came in for her second session last week and she is a much calmer, focused little being. It was amazing, healing which was a combination of the Reiki, oils and the work that her owner has done with Roxy to change the energy around riding in the car.
My work also expands into shelters. I currently volunteer at Animal Welfare Society in
Kennebunk. These are the animals who’s emotions go from one end of the spectrum to the other. They are either confused or upset about where they are, or they are thrilled to be out of the home that was so awful and now in a safe place to move on to their forever home. It is quite comical to work with these dogs as they don’t want a healing, they just want their new home. A great lesson in being in the moment and moving forward. I have worked with many dogs and cats, to feel what their physical and emotional needs are beyond general shelter care and the Reiki helps them to heal from these issues, creating an energy that connects them with their new home. I work closely with the Head Vet Tech and the Trainer to provide combined care. I have been doing this work for over 18 months and last week I began volunteering at Cocheco Valley in Dover and will be working with their dogs and cats too.
I love to share this work, and so I teach weekly meditation classes and many workshops to give people the opportunity to tap in to this energy and deepen their own lives as well as the lives of their animals. I also work with people individually. These sessions are created through discussion to determine the root cause of an issue (physical or emotional) and how to heal from there. I work with people to provide support during chemotherapy, and in conjunction with social workers to provide the spiritual part of the healing for clients.
There are many reasons why you may feel a session would be beneficial for you, your dog/cat or horse. I have included the information on a handout for you.
I have always shared with people that the animal sessions seem to be a two-for-one deal because of the number of people that at the end of the session tell me that they don’t know quite what I have done for their dog, but they feel great!!!
These animals provide so much for our own learning experience and guide us in ways we can sometimes miss. My own horse has guided me for over 14 years and I can only begin to tell you the incredible teachings he has offered me and now that I can listen – its truly unbelievable.
So, I ask you, if you have a pet at home, or one that has passed. Take a few moments……breathe……lay a hand gently on your animal, or a photo……and say thanks. Each time you do this you will find your connection deepens and your ability to hear/see/feel will ignite. ENJOY! It’s a beautiful experience.
Thank you so much for your time today and I would like to leave you with this quote from a Thich Nhat Hanh: Waking up this morning, I smile, Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.
Animals Reasons for a Session
My dog eats dirt, furniture, wood……..no one seems to know why or say it’s behavioral
My dog has separation anxiety and the vet has prescribed anti-depressants
My dog is a rescue and has this strange behavior that no-one seems to be able to explain
My horse seems to be frightened when going in to the barn, but nothing bad has happened
My horse bucks whenever we canter
My vet said there is nothing more he/she can do
I have an old dog and I am not sure whether to continue care and if so what I should do
My dog’s back/leg gets so sore after he/she has been running around
Reiki creates healing from the root cause, rather than simply controlling the symptoms, and also facilitates peaceful end of life transition