As a Registered Nurse in a small Nursing Home I have always looked for different ways to help my patients. There is always a wide variety of conditions to manage. And no matter how hard you try there are always limitations to medications and life in an institution. I learned about Reiki through a fellow nurse. Three of us got together to learn Level 1. We then spent the next few months looking at ways to incorporate this modality into our practice. During this time and while obtaining my Level 2, I began to wonder why I couldn't apply this knowledge and skill to family pets. Everyone I asked thought it was a great idea but nobody I asked here in Toronto seemed to be venturing into that direction.

I began to experiment at a Parrot Rescue. I knew I would be eaten alive if I tried to put my hands on the testy Macaws . For the reason of simple self-preservation I began to use Reiki energy at a distance and noticed different results. It was clear to me that the birds were aware and able to feel the energy.

While at work one day, my dear friend Shanlee sat down beside me at the Nurse's Station and began to tell me about her pet rabbit Aimee. Shanlee was terribly worried as Aimee had a bowel obstruction, a very grave condition in rabbits. It appeared that thoughts of euthanasia were beginning to surface in the minds of Shanlee and the local vet. I too have been terribly worried about a beloved pet, so was anxious to offer assistance. I offered to give Aimee a Reiki treatment after work. Friday evening Shanlee and I left work and went to her apartment so I could try Reiki on the much loved bunny.

When we arrived at Shanlee's apartment Aimee was tucked inside a small wooden box on the floor. Apparently, it's one of those things rabbits like to tuck themselves into - Aimee just fit. Facing the bunny on the floor, her body stretched out in front of me, I began to offer Reiki. I was immediately struck by what I would call "distortion" of the energy. Aimee was clearly drawing more on her right side than her left. When I finished the treatment and voiced my findings to Shanlee I was informed that the right side was the location of the obstruction.

The next day at work Shanlee informed me that Aimee began to exhibit some odd behaviour after I had left for home. Apparently, while in her box, she kept turning 180 degrees about every 5 minutes. The turns were always in the same direction and lasted for about 30 minutes. The bunny then settled in for the night.

I performed Reiki again Saturday and Sunday evening. Once, while Shanlee was holding Aimee and I was giving a treatment, the bunny became so relaxed her head lolled to the side and she was almost motionless for a few minutes. By the end of the treatment Sunday night I was struck by the difference in the way Aimee was drawing energy. What was once distorted was now clearly even on both sides.

I was greatly intrigued by this observation. Born in North America and being a Registered Nurse for over a decade I have been firmly entrenched in the beliefs of Western medicine. There is always a tiny piece of me that pooh pooh's this "other stuff". You know what people would call "a bunch of nonsense," and "mumbo jumbo". Aimee was taking medication prescribed by the vet and that is naturally where my mind went - perhaps the medications were finally "kicking in". However, as I drove home that Sun night there were thoughts that kept bouncing around in my head. There had been no previous sign of the medications "kicking in". Plus, I couldn't let go of the difference in the flow of energy in three days. Had I stumbled onto something? Or did I just want it so bad?

By Monday morning Shanlee informed me that the vet had phoned and wanted to see Aimee that evening. I was becoming increasingly worried that this would be the end . It would never occur to me to interfere, but I felt very strongly we had to wait until Wednesday to make a decision. On our way to the appointment I suggested that if the vet wanted euthanasia, that we ask about the ramifications of waiting a few more days. Aimee got a thorough examination, and our spirits lifted when the vet announced that things were no longer grave - in short - things were moving in the right direction. We took the bunny home and kept right on doing the same things. Shanlee kept up with the basic needs and I kept doing Reiki.

Well, if you remember, I had felt very strongly that we had to wait until Wednesday. While up in the wee hours of Thursday morning I noticed there was a message on my phone. I had apparently missed it the night before. The message was from Shanlee: just two words, "She pooped." I mean really, what more needed to be said?

It took probably another two weeks for Aimee to completely recover. I had stopped doing Reiki as I no longer felt it was needed - the crisis had clearly passed. A few weeks later during a chat, Shanlee remarked that Aimee had totally healed. In addition to her physical recovery there was a huge change in her behaviour. Aimee had come to live with Shanlee after spending at least three months in a cage at the local Animal Shelter. She was never crazy about people getting too close, and definitely not happy about being picked up. Now, after her Reiki experiences, she allows her mom Shanlee to hold her much longer and has been known to bounce into a nearby lap for possible apple opportunities. Best of all, she allows her mom to attach a pink Barbie collar and pink leash for the daily walk down to Lake Ontario.

About a month after this health episode, I was visiting Shanlee and my favourite bunny. Just before I was about to leave, Aimee was at my feet. As I bent down to rub and kiss her nose I wondered at her close proximity and thought maybe she had just come to say thank you.

About the Author:
Sue Mallory is a Registered Nurse and Reiki Level 2 Practitioner in Toronto, Canada. You can contact her at nursesusanj@can.rogers.com.