I started my Reiki journey because of my dogs and cats, seeking a way to help them that was outside western medical protocol. My experience is largely with dogs and cats: I have not treated many horses, birds , fish, or other critters. Now I work professionally to provide Reiki treatments to others.

In my experience with working with my own and my friends' animal companions, I have found the advice of Usui Sensei in his Reiki Ryoho Hikkei to be of great value. In his words, "Ki and light are radiated from the healer's body, especially from the eyes, mouth and hands. So if the healer stares, breathes on or strokes with hands the affected area... pain will be gone."

I have found that most dogs and cats are extremely sensitive to Reiki, and direct hand positions are uncomfortable for them. Rather than try to work with specific hand positions, I find that if a dog or cat will allow me to pet them, then the stroking motions that you would use to comfort an animal companion anyway are usually very well accepted. Consciously direct the gaze and breath with the intent of sharing Reiki, and the treatment occurs without having to "confine" a pet with specific hand positions.

An advantage to bringing in the gaze and breath into our Reiki work is that if the dog or cat is unfomfortable with the touch of unfamiliar hands (as was my Indi when I rescued him) then the treatment can still occur without forcing touch.

Combine the above with sensitivity to whether the "patient" is willing to receive the treatment. Just because they can't vocalize 'no' does not imply an automatic yes. When unsure of permission in a professional treatment setting, I "intend" to offer the Reiki to the animal, and acknowledge that they will take only what they need.

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