The Reiki Cafe 

I'm new to Reiki, and am interested in working with dogs. I would like to hear from those who work with animals, especially any hints that would make the process go smoothly, and any other feedback on your experience with it.

Some of my questions are very basic: hand positions, animal positioning, etc. For instance, often dogs find it strange when you put a hand on them but don't move it (to stroke or scratch them for instance). I've tried it a couple of times with my own dog, who seems to find it a bit weird, and who did n't want me to try it on her head, but only on her torso.

Have you found adding flower essences, aromatherapy, or t-touch to the sessions helps them relax? Are sessions usually shorter than with people?

Looking forward to the discussion,
Cheers,
Margarat

Hi Dogrrl

Just a word on what has worked for me. I place one hand on the head and the other on the chest this way you can control the animal until they know what you are doing.
Dogs, children and other animals respond to Reiki different than grown ups may be as little as seconds. If they want it they will hold still until they get enough, they will leave and come back when they want more.

I have never tried aroma to quite an animal before, Interesting I think I'll try it.

TNT

dogrrrl,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- building relationships with the animals we work (and\or live) with is important

>:-}}

- and as with people some relationships go better than others

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Otoharo!

In 97, I lived on an island off of Hunduras. My landlord had a dog that liked to stay around me. She spent the nights on my porch. She loved reiki but only took a little bit directly. A friend of mine has a small dog who participates with her in reiki. She puts her front paws together and holds that position for a long time. she does this on people, too.

These are my only experiences.

finality

Hi Margarat,
My experience has been that smaller, more nervous dogs react poorly to reiki. The energy seems too much for them unless they are sick and truly desire it. Larger dogs like labs, especially, LOVE it! and are wonderful to work with. I do not have experience with shepards or Rottys but have heard they can be uneasy with reiki.

As with any dog, be mindful, be careful and when they "say" no, best to listen.

Also, if a dog is a bit uneasy but needs the reiki, you can beam the reiki to the animal from a safe distance in the room or from your own home.

I have also noticed that animals (the ones I have worked with anyway) require much less reiki than a human so plan on shortened sessions.

Hope this helps a bit:))
Tracey

Hi dogrrrl,
Have found working off the body or beaming usually works or just letting Reiki flow while petting or during Tellington touch massage. Guess a hand on the body that isnt moving might feel restrictive to some animals. Knew a RM who raised a kitten with Reiki & that one developed into a Reiki hog, would go to sleep with hands on her & purring. You could pick her up & she would still be totally relaxed & limp..

peace & joy,
holobon

hi there,
well I am working on my Lab: these days, he has cancer, (but no pain as yet).. he was very funny before he got sick I would try & give him a little Reiki & he would look straight at his tail!! & shoot off as if I had 'zapped' him or something!!lol...
how-ever since he's not been well, he asks me for it!! he will come & lean on me, I find he likes me to gently stroke him, not leaving my hands off of him completely, then he will lay on the floor & keep lifting his front leg, so I then rub him with my foot, (as Reiki comes through the feet chakras also)...when 'HE' has had enough he just gets up & walks away, with his coat shinning & his eyes brighter....

some days he asks for it more, & some days less...but it has helped him so much...
I have a friend that brings her guinea pig over for a 'visit' can't say he's great company!! as soon as I pet him he starts yawning & then falls asleep!!!
I love giving & sending Reiki to animals, & all the sick birds seem to find 'MY' garden, they make me smile as they have no Idea what the feeling is!, & start to 'scratch',you (can not O.D animals or birds etc with Reiki,) it just stops flowing when they have received what they need or you can ask for them to take as much as they can handle..... they get well 'very' quickly, if it is meant to be...
Reiki is wonderful stuff, just watch the dog, & go with your feelings, as they will let you know some how & if they want it or not....respect their wishes..you will soon be-able to communicate how & what they are feeling....
hope this has helped...luv Wendy xxx

Namaste,
I have 3 dogs,two labrador pups and an elderly Border Collie. They all accept very willingly, the old lady likes tolie under the couch as I work to collect any 'overspill'. She has always asked for her treatment, she will come and sit on my feet not move untill she has taken waht she needs, even if we are out walkingin the snow! Funny sight mad English woman and mad dogs all sitting in the snow .....She has alump on one side which the vet wont touch as she is too old for an anasthetic, but it is shrinking and she is keeping up with the pups! One of whom is Heamophilliac (Nell) and the other (meg) had hip displasia..However when nell cut herself last month my hands were on as we drovr to the vet and nedles to say no blood loss and only two staples! They alll come and ask and I just rest my hands where ever seems most logical....when they have had enough they roll over or walk away. I love working with animals, they have no expectations and no pre conceived stance and the results allways stun me!
Good luck
Annie

Hi,

I found that aromatherapy does work for dogs. My Shih Tsu is afraid when it rains...what works is a very little dab of lavender not in the face region but on his chest, ends up curled up like a baby.

Another is a few drops of Bach Rescue Remedy to calm them. There are fantastic books on Homeopathy for pets. Being such receptive creatures, therefore effective.

Hope this helps.
Namaste

I include info on working with Animals as part of my classes. Animals seem to have an extra Chaka. The Brachial or Key, you can usually find it just behind the front shoulder. If you have a friend that's usually a bit jumpy around Reiki, try working the key chakra first. However, animals seem to have a distinct reaction to the energy. Some lurve it some loath it.

WARNING: This happened to one of my students. Her German Shepherd stud became a Reiki addict (lol). She wasn't allowed to do any healing until he had his share first :)

Ogre

Hi Margrat

I will give you any information you require I have quite a liberary on eguine therapy, and when all said and done horses are not far removed from dogs.

The satisfaction you receive from giving Reiki to animals is second to none.

Our Great Dane received Reiki on a regular basis she lived till the age of eleven, photos can be e-mailed to you if require , also for treatments to the horses I have healed.

Angels are always with you

Neil

I remember reading somewhere that when you work with animals they need to be "grounded", i.e., reiki needs to be given at paw level and at the tip of the tail in a downward stroking motion. I also remember reading that animals will tell you where they need reiki, and when they've had enough they'll walk away.

I've had some funny experiences with animals, usually when I give reiki to their owners. Big dogs will literally jump up and hug me; small dogs invariably proceed to hump my leg as I treat their owners (what's that all about, I wonder); cats will jump on their owner's stomach to get their own share of the energy, and some will even grab my hand with their paws and pull my hand over to their own bodies.

In giving dogs reiki directly my chief experience is that when they've had enough, they WILL walk away.

cheers,
Judith

jks,

Hi,

Small dogs seem to always be humping some stranger's leg.

LOL

Cheers (keep the slicker handy),

RC

Thank you everyone for your responses, they were very educational. I was especially interested to hear that in many cases animals only wanted to participate for a short time, so now I'll expect that.
Cheers,
Margarat

Hello!

I have two dogs, one is a Border Collie and the other is an American Eskimo.

The Border Collie is VERY receptive to reiki and will let me give him a complete session. Reiki has helped him to get past his fear of fireworks and thunderstorms.

My American Eskimo doesn't like the reiki. He scurries away as soon as possible. When he had an infection in his anal glands I was able to give him reiki for a short amount of time.

So, best of luck!
Judevine

A friend has asked me to try giving reiki with his dog. The dog recently had a tumor removed and is now doing ok and trying to lose weight by a controlled diet. He is a very well built husky, so I will listen to him!

I was looking for advice and found this thread very interesting, gives me a starting point as I have not worked with a dog before, thankyou all.