According to Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center at Mayo Clinic, Reiki is "a system of natural healing that involves channeling energy to enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself through relation and balancing of energy. It also works in conjunction with all medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery." John Hopkins reports, "In a Reiki session, the practitioner is seeking to transmit Universal Life Energy to the client. The intention is to create deep relaxation, to help speed healing, reduce pain, and decrease other symptoms [one] may be experiencing." Reiki has been studied by Hartford Hospital and many other reputable medical communities. It is considered a legitimate standard of care to aid those in need. There was even a Reiki station set up at Ground Zero during 9/11. This article at UCLA (PDF) offers valuable insight on why Reiki works, and they offer a partnership with the "Urban Zen Fondation" which includes Reiki, yoga, and aromatherapy.
Reiki Therapy is gaining respect within the Western medical community, and more studies are being done supporting the effectiveness of this modality. While Reiki is in no way a substitute for seeing your veterinarian for any medical conditions your animal(s) may have or a trainer for behavioral issues, it can be a wonderful complementary therapy to not only help speed healing and reduce pain but also promote relaxation and coping with anxiety and aggression.
Wild Wisdom is owned and operated by Ame Draig (formerly Ame Smith). Ame received her original Reiki attunements through Church of Earth and Sky in Stroudsburg, PA, in 1999. She obtained specialized training in animal Reiki through Animal Reiki Alliance in Baltimore, MD, in 2017, and started Wild Wisdom in 2018. She is a Reiki Master/Teacher and hopes to begin teaching Reiki classes in southern MD by the end of 2019. She continuously enhances her education and training in animal acupressure and massage, crystals, flower essences, and animal communication. She follows the 5 Reiki Precepts as well as the Code of Ethics established by Kathleen Prasad of Animal Reiki Resource.
For today only:
Do not anger
Do not worry
Be humble
Be honest in your work
Be compassionate to yourself and others
Guiding Principles ©Kathleen Prasad
I believe the animals are equal partners in the healing process.
I honor the animals as being not only my clients, but also my teachers in the journey of healing.
I understand that all animals have physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects, to which Reiki can bring profound healing responses.
I believe that bringing Reiki to the human/animal relationship is transformational to the human view of the animal kingdom.
I dedicate myself to the virtues of humility, integrity, compassion and gratitude in my Reiki practice.
In working on myself, I follow these practices:
I incorporate the Five Reiki Precepts into my daily life and Reiki practice.
I commit myself to a daily practice of self-healing and spiritual development so that I can be a clear and strong channel for healing energy.
I nurture a belief in the sacred nature of all beings, and in the value and depth of animalkind as our partners on this planet.
I listen to the wisdom of my heart, remembering that we are all One.
In working in the community, I hold the following goals:
I model the values of partnership, compassion, humility, gentleness and gratitude in my life and with the animals, teaching by example.
I work to create professional alliances and cooperative relationships with other Reiki practitioners/teachers, animal health-care providers and animal welfare organizations in my community.
I strive to educate my community in its understanding of the benefits of Reiki for animals.
I continually educate myself to maintain and enhance my professional competence so that I uphold the integrity of the profession.
I consider myself an ally to the veterinary and animal health community. I work to support their efforts in achieving animal wellness and balance. I honor other disciplines and their practitioners.
In working with the human companions of the animals, I will:
Share information before the treatment about my healing philosophy, the Reiki healing system and what to expect in a typical treatment, as well as possible outcomes, including the possibility of healing reactions.
Provide a clear policy ahead of time regarding fees, length of treatment and cancellation policy, as well as “postponement” policy, should the animal not want the treatment that day.
Honor the privacy of the animals and their human companions.
Share intuition received during Reiki treatments, with compassion and humility, for the purpose of supporting their understanding of the healing process.
Respect the human companion’s right to choose the animal’s healing journey, selecting the methods, both holistic and/or conventional that he or she deems most appropriate, with the support and advice of a trusted veterinarian.
In working with the animals, I follow these guidelines:
I work in partnership with the animal.
I always ask permission of the animal before beginning, and respect his or her decision to accept or refuse any treatment. I listen intuitively and observe the animal’s body language in determining the response.
I allow each animal to choose how to receive his or her treatment; thus each treatment could be a combination of hands-on, short distance and/or distant healing, depending on the animal’s preference.
I let go of my expectations about how the treatment should progress and/or how the animal should behave during the treatment, and simply trust Reiki.
I accept the results of the treatment without judgment and with gratitude toward Reiki and the animal’s openness and participation in the process.