Animal Reiki for Exotic and Farm Animals

Spending so much time at home during the pandemic has made me appreciate the quiet spaces in my home even more! And so, as a slow-moving project, over the past few months I’ve been redoing my home office. I’ve been trying to decide what to put on the wall across from my desk, and just a few days ago it came to me: a collage of animal faces, the faces of my favorite Animal Reiki teachers over the past 23 years of my practice. I ended up spending a couple of hours pouring …

Training at the Square Peg Foundation: This past weekend, I taught my very first Level 1 in-person course since 2019! It was such an amazing day, full of beautiful horse teachers and incredible humans 🙂 I offered this course as a gift to the staff of the Square Peg Foundation. Square Peg is a different kind of therapy riding model. Their website says, “Square Peg is all about reminding all of us that what makes us different is what makes us special.” Their philosophy is so in-line with the Let Animals Lead® method, I …

I’m so excited to share with you all the special programs starting up in just a week or so! First of all, I’m thrilled to announce the first class in a new Animal Wisdom Series that I’ll be co-teaching with my friend, holistic vet and Reiki teacher, Ricardo Gare. This first class is titled, “Healing Gifts from Whales and Dolphins,” and will give you tools and techniques to tune into your soul’s purpose, with the energetic help of whales of dolphins. Saturday, March 6, 202110AM – 11:30AM Pacific timeCost: $75CLICK HERE to …

“In their innocence and wisdom, in their connection to the earth and its most ancient rhythms, animals show us a way back to a home they have never left.”― Susan Chernak McElroy I created World Animal Reiki Day (WARD) in 2016 as a way for animal lovers and the animal Reiki community to come together and celebrate our beloved animal friends as teachers and healers. Why February 5? This was Dakota’s birthday. Dakota was my faithful dog and Animal Reiki teacher for 16 and 1/2 years. He was the dog who gave …

Today I want to take time to remember a very special animal in my journey: Bahl Shoy the tiger. Although he passed away a few years ago, I still count Bahl Shoy as one of my best and most favorite Animal Reiki teachers. I first met Bahl Shoy, who lived at the CARE Foundation in Florida, during my first visit there in 2011. Having never shared Animal Reiki with tigers before, connecting with him in the space of our meditations was very profound, and even overwhelming. To say the least he …

Thanks for being with me today! I miss visiting my favorite animal sanctuaries and rescues around the world! Today I want to take time to honor the work of Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) in upstate New York. My first visit there was in June of 2018, and the staff wasn’t sure what to think of us: a group of 25 Animal Reiki practitioners, spending three full days at the farm among the animals. Catskill staff is extremely protective of the animals in their care and rightly so. Most have been rescued from the …

Today I take heavy thoughts, and embrace them in light and the possibility of a future filled with compassion and healing for animals…. Today I remember Harley, a beautiful hog who lived at BrightHaven and brought joy and light to my life, my daughter’s life, and the lives of so many visitors and Reiki students who met him. He was gentle and kind, affectionate and silly, and met his physical challenges (he lost the use of his hind end the last 4 years of his life) with grace and acceptance. I’m thinking …

It never ceases to amaze me, the way animals come into our lives to teach us. One of the beautiful things I’ve learned along the way in my Animal Reiki journey, is that sometimes it’s the most unlikely of animals that become the most profound teachers. Just over a week ago, Leah D’Ambrosio (co-founder of SARA) and I had the privilege of visiting old friends (2- and 4-legged) at The CARE Foundation in Florida, as well as seeing the healing effects these animals had on my students in the classes. One person …

I just got back from several days in Scotland with my family. What a beautiful country; we enjoyed every minute! Feels good to be back in the California sun, though 🙂 It was also such an honor to be able to spend time at Remus in Essex, England as well. It was wonderful sharing the Let Animals Lead® method with so many students, and seeing their faces light up as they watched the animals come forward and take charge of each session. Differences in Approach Matter In meaning, “Reiki” is spiritual or Source …

Congratulations to a brand new group of Animal Reiki Teachers! I had such a wonderful 3 days at Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary in Essex, England, spending time with the precious animals and getting to know these wonderful ladies. The beautiful skies were breathtaking! Plus it was like a SARA Directors reunion, being with SARA’s VP Leah D’Ambrosio and our East Coast Director, Kelly McDermott-Burns 🙂 Such a blessing to watch the animals teaching wonderful healing lessons 🙂 I loved watching the two little lambs, Marble and May, choose to graze near …

I’d like to take a moment to honor a very special teacher of mine who recently passed away: a black leopard named Makoto, who lived at the CARE Foundation in Florida. He lived to be 20 years old, which is very old for his species, and pretty amazing, considering the neglectful and abusive circumstances he survived before coming to CARE. I am so thankful to Christin Burford of CARE for taking him in when no one else would. (Thank you Heidi Farmer Piccerelli for these amazing photos!) I met Makoto just …

I was privileged to return to Essex, England this year to teach Reiki and celebrate Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary’s 30th year. Sue Burton, the sanctuary’s founder, has dedicated her life to helping horses and other farm animals in need. Remus provides excellent care and rehabilitation to over 200 horses, ponies, donkeys, sheep, goats, cows and cats. Remus is an amazing place, being voted The U.K.’s #1 Horse Sanctuary and recently honored by a personal visit from the Countess of Wessex. Remus is truly a one-of a-kind sanctuary, in that it …