Reiki is a hands-on healing method that originated in Japan. The practitioner channels healing energy through her hands to the animal through a light touch either directly on the body or from a distance. The word Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a Japanese composite word usually translated as "universal life energy". It is based on the idea that all living beings have life energy flowing through them. When life energy is high, your pets are healthy and balanced, more relaxed and less likely to get sick. When it is low, they'll often be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki is a safe complement to conventional Western medicine, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy and all other forms of healing.
Animals, especially cats, are naturally receptive to the Reiki energy and tend to gravitate towards it readily (some people even say cats invented Reiki). Some pets may initially prefer to experience the energy from a slight distance, rather than having the practitioner's hands directly on them.
Reiki sessions for pets typically last 20-30 minutes. The frequency of sessions depends entirely on each individual animal's health status and needs. Some health issues can be resolved in two or three sessions, others may take ongoing sessions on a recurring basis. As with all services Healing Hands provides, frequency of sessions will be tailored to your pet's individual needs.
Benefits of Reiki for pets:
Enhances overall well-being.
Just like people, even healthy pets can have occasional physical, emotional and mental imbalances that, if left untreated, can manifest as illness. Periodic Reiki treatments can help maintain your pet's natural state of well-being and balance.
Strengthens the immune system for cancer therapies.
Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation present stress to an already compromised immune system. Reiki strengthens the immune system to better deal with this additional stress. It helps alleviate or prevent the side effects of conventional cancer treatments and provides pain relief.
Accelerates healing following surgery or illness.
Reiki can alleviate and prevent side effects of conventional medications such as pain killers and antibiotics, and provides pain relief and relaxation to facilitate and enhance the body's natural healing response.
Increases trust and bonding between you and your pet.
People and pets often mirror each others' physical and emotional states. Animals are natural healers and sometimes take on their person's problems, often in an attempt to heal them. This happens because of the deep bond shared between a pet and his or her person. Because of the shared energy in such a close relationship, energetic imbalances are shared as well. For optimum healing, joint treatments for people and their pets can often be beneficial.
Can help with behavior issues by promoting relaxation and stress reduction.
Many behavior issues are caused by stress. Reiki has a calming effect on the pet and may help make the pet more receptive to training and behavior modification. Reiki is extremely beneficial for animals with a history of abuse. The gentle touch and the energy can help restore trust in animals who have learned to associate touch with being hurt.
Provides comfort and relieves pain, anxiety and fear for terminally ill animals.
Reiki is a wonderful way to facilitate the transition for terminally ill animals and their owners. Often, animals will not allow themselves to transition because they intuitively feel that their person is not ready to let them go. Joint Reiki treatments for the pet and his or her person can help both through this difficult time by enhancing the bond and allowing a gentle transition.
In Person Treatments
Reiki treatments given in person are either given in the pet's home (Healing Hands serves pets in Western Fairfax County and Eastern Loudoun County), or at Seneca Hill Animal Hospital Resort and Spa in Great Falls, VA. Most pets take to the energy readily and enjoy hands-on treatments. Some pets may be more comfortable from a slight distance. Whether given directly hands-on or from across the room, treatments are equally effective.
Distance Treatments
Reiki can be given at a distance. Distance treatments are just as effective as in person treatments and can be preferable to hands-on treatments in some instances. Some animals may live too far away for hands-on treatments. Others may be fearful of strangers, old and fragile, or close to death and may be better able to relax and absorb Reiki distantly. For people with very busy schedules, alternating distant Reiki treatments and in-person treatments is a good way to be able to give your pet the benefits of Reiki more conveniently. Distant treatments are also quick to schedule: in emergency situations, I can usually offer a distant treatment the same day. Similarly, if a pet seems to be coming down with something or needs additional support between treatments, distant healing can provide what is needed.
Treatment Length and Fees
Treatments typically last 20-30 minutes depending on how much energy the animal is willing to take. The fee for a treatment is $45. For in-person treatments, a small travel charge may apply if the treatment is conducted at the pet's home and the pet lives outside Healing Hands' standard treatment area.
All treatments are by appointment only. Please contact Healing Hands at ingrid.healing.hands@cox.net or call 703-309-4296 to schedule an appointment
