What is Reiki?

There is an ancient belief in traditional Chinese Medicine that all physical bodies have a life force or “chi” that flows around us along energy paths called meridians, with centres of energy at various points called chakras. Each chakra or energy centre is responsible for certain body systems and areas of the body and can also be linked to certain emotions. Sometimes, due to emotional upset or physical trauma, chakras become blocked or sluggish and the flow of energy cannot get through. Further emotional or physical trauma can then result.

Reiki is universal energy that the practitioner channels into themselves and out into the recipient through their hands. This energy is then used by the recipient to rebalance the chakras and therefore free blockages letting the body heal itself naturally on all levels.

IS HEALING ALWAYS THE ANSWER?

Animals will always tell you when reiki will not help them. A friend's rotweiler bitch, Elsa, had not responded well to a hip operation where a metal pin had been put in to stabilise the joint. She was still limping badly and in obvious discomfort but each time I tried to give her reiki healing she moved away. After several attempts I gave up and she then stayed near me and accepted a belly rub instead so I knew it was not me she disliked. On taking her back to the vet it was discovered that the pin had come loose so no amount of healing would have helped in this case.

What Happens in a Reiki Treatment?

Treating cats, dogs and other pets.

I usually come to the animals home where they feel most comfortable. I will start by opening up to reiki from a distance and mentally asking the pet if they wish to accept the healing energy. This gives the animal chance to feel the healing energy and realise what it is before i come any closer to them. If an animal cannot use the energy, as in the case of the dog Elsa ,whose pin had come loose, they will instinctively move away, though this is generally not the case.

The animal instinctively knows how much healing they need and will generally move away when they have had enough. Some animals choose to stay a short distance away but they will still receive the healing energy the same. Your pet will usually be quite sleepy afterwards and will want to rest quietly.

Treating horses.

Your horse must feel at ease and in their normal surroundings and routine as much as possible in order to get the most from the treatment. After their feed, when they are not going to get worked later, is best as a session will leave them feeling very relaxed and some horses take a nap soon after as part of the healing process.

If they are under veterinary care you must obtain their permission for reiki treatment to be given and they may even want to be present.

A reiki session can be anything from 20 minutes to an hour as the horse dictates when he/she has had enough, usually by going to the back of the stable. If it is a shorter session it does not mean it has been less successful as some horses, like some people, take up and use the healing energy a lot more effectively than others.

During a session, which can be hands on or hovering the hands just above the area or even from a distance, whatever your horse is more comfortable with, they will respond to the healing energy in various ways. These include a lowering of the head and a softening of the eyes, chewing and licking, sighing and sometimes they are so relaxed their eyes close completely.

Like a person recovering from illness or responding to treatment, your horse will need quiet and rest and may need to drink more water to help flush out toxins from the body.

IMPORTANT LEGISLATION

It is very important that you obtain veterinary treatment for a sick animal and that you inform them that you wish to give them reiki healing also. The paragraph below sets out the relevant legislation with regard to treating animals.

The Veterinary Surgery Act of 1966 prohibits anyone, other than a qualified veterinary surgeon from treating animals, including diagnosis of ailments and giving advice on such diagnosis.
 
However the healing of animals by contact healing, by laying of hands or distant healing is legal. The Protection of Animals Act 1911 requires that if an animal clearly needs treatment from a veterinary surgeon the owner must obtain this. To give emergency First Aid to animals for the purpose of saving life or relieving pain is permissible under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 Schedule 3.
 
(taken from the Reiki Federation Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice- March 2002)