Lions, giant tortoises, herds of wildebeest, eland, kudu & zebra as well as parades of elephants roam the dusty, semi-arid landscape of Addo National Elephant Park. Just an hour east of the coastal town of Port Elizabeth in the southeastern part of South Africa, it seems an unlikely place for any species to thrive. Indeed, it’s the home to the endangered dung beetle. During my visit I didn’t think to offer Reiki to the beetles, but I did have an opportunity to offer Reiki to one animal in need.

Throughout the Park are posted signs along the paved roads advising – “Do Not Leave Your Vehicle”. While there is one prey species that live in the Park (lions), the rule of not exiting your vehicle is more a case of respecting the wildlife in their home, not necessarily for your own safety. They are used to seeing cars and smelling exhaust, but these are wild animals that have not had encounters with our species. The Park isn’t a zoo or even game reserve – it’s the native habitat for animals that live there. We just happened to have a nice view via the network of paved roads through the Park.

So we were shocked early one morning when we saw three people standing in a wide open desolate area, with not even a shrub nearby. Surely they were Park Rangers we thought from a distance. But as we pulled closer, we saw that these people were not in the green Park Ranger uniform. And there were several parked vehicles in the nearby parking area that was marked as a “viewing site”. The people were splattered with mud and were huddled together talking to each other.

We pulled over and got out the binoculars to get a closer look. They went into action bending over and trying to work at something. They stood up to confer again. Now we could see the long neck of an ostrich, the only part of bird visible. The rest of her body was buried in a mud hole. Again they tried to get traction in the mud as they gripped the ostrich from underneath each giant wing, and it looked like they might succeed as part of the bird emerged, but then it slipped back into the mud.

This was repeated several times but to no avail. The woman in the group ran back to her car and then went back to the mud hole with something. It was a pair of pants, which they put at the base of the ostrich’s neck and then wrapped a leg over each wing.

Ostriches live in herds of 5 or more, so this one had clearly been abandoned. How long had he been stuck? A grown ostrich can weigh anywhere from 150 – 300 lbs. My friend and I debated leaving our vehicle to go help those who were struggling to free the ostrich. I had on sandals so wouldn’t be much help in the mud. I decided to offer Reiki to the situation for the highest outcome for all involved.

While my friend recorded the action with her camera, I closed my eyes and silently drew the symbols and repeated their names to help me go into a quiet space and focus on creating an energetic connection to the ostrich. I quieted my mind and tried to be open with no expectations, focusing just on the energy and not any desired outcome. I set the intention for the highest good for the ostrich (and the safety of the people) and let go.

After about 15 minutes, my friend shouted “They did it!” As I opened my eyes (and abruptly ended the Reiki session), I saw the stunned bird take her first steps. She took off running a bit awkwardly with her mud-covered wings weighing her down. She was free!

Back at the camp later, we shared the story and chatted with others who had also been watching from their cars. While there was agreement that what the people did was heroic, there was debate about whether it was the right thing to do. Comments about survival of the fittest, interfering with the pristine order of nature, human intrusion leaving no part of the animal world untouched, breaking Park rules, and leaving nature alone were tossed about in judgment.

Unlike this analytical discussion, offering Reiki had provided me a direct energetic experience of the situation where there wasn’t a need to intellectualize it. I realized that there is no separation between “us” as people and the rest of nature – humans are a species of the animal kingdom, we are mammals, we are nature, we are all connected, we are all one.

The experience showed me how the Five Precepts interrelate with one another. Just for today….the individuals who rescued the ostrich weren’t concerned about the consequences of their action (getting muddy, breaking Park rules, being attacked by animals), they were focused on one thing – getting the ostrich out of the mud hole. There was no need for anger at their breaking the rules. There was no need to worry for their safety. They were being true to their way as individuals by showing compassion for themselves (by following their hearts) and the ostrich.

I was reminded of the integration of the Three Diamonds –earth, heaven and heart energy centers. The people were being flexible (not bounded by the imposed rules about staying in your car), yet firm (being practical and using a pair of pants to aid the rescue) and compassionate (taking action on the behalf of another being in need).

I appreciated the opportunity to observe the unique situation and to share Reiki during the rescue. But even more interesting to me is that my gratitude continues to grow as I reflect on the experience. Animals and Reiki – the gifts that keep on giving!

Corrine Kuhl

It was Christmas Eve and I had been asked by my husband to go out and buy vegetables at 5am for our Christmas Dinner, as I drove to the supermarket I heard Christmas Carols playing, the roads were icy and I had a real feeling of happiness and Christmas Cheer. Fighting my way through all of the crowds  I managed to purchase what I needed and afterwards sat in my car for a while reflecting on my mornings work . It was at this time I thought of Sue at Remus and wanted to send her a text wishing her Happiness at Christmas and to ask her how she was. I had been flat out at work for the last few weeks and had not been able to get to Remus to offer Reiki to the animals, and have to say I had been feeling a little guilty about it.  Sue as usual was up very early and said that one of the horses was suffering really badly with Laminitis in the cold spell that we were having and may have to be put to sleep that morning.

Instead of making my way home I drove straight to Remus, I was the first one there and had time to marvel at the beauty of this place. The snow was deep in the fields as the sun glistened against the snow, I could hear the animals stiring in their pens waiting for their breakfast to arrive. The energy was calm, beautiful and serene.  Sue arrived shortly after and we spoke about Bimbo, Laminitis can be brought on by the cold weather horses can get stressed and this can aggravate the condition. Bimbo also suffers with metabolic syndrome which can be caused by too much food and too much sugar in the food and being stabled too long. It is a syndrome which Remus Horse Sanctuary are experts at treating, understanding and have a great knowledge and depth in this field.

I entered the stable with Sue and saw Bimbo laying down, as he tried to get up he had difficulty moving his left back leg. I noticed  high up in the corner of the stable a heater. I asked Sue about it and she said it had just been fitted recently to help Bimbo in the cold weather. In the stable too was Ruby another Shetland  who is Bimbo’s pair bond. I am sure that in their life time they had spent very few days apart. Their relationship was strong and if Bimbo was to be put to sleep today Sue felt that it would not be long after that Ruby would follow as the shock to  her system would be too much to bear.

I stayed with Bimbo and Ruby and offered them Reiki, the energy was very gentle. I often wonder, when the energy is so gentle if they are receiving the Reiki but always remember in my heart to ask that they receive what ever it is that they need at this exact moment in time. After a while Bimbo started to munch at his delicious breakfast and Ruby moved around the stable. I just felt that by filling the stable with Reiki energy each pony could choose. Some times when I offer Reiki, the reaction is so clear to see but often too the reaction is so very subtle. It is at these times that I have  no place for  ego as I think what’s best for Bimbo,  it is just for me to ’Be’ and to trust that Reiki will go to where ever it is needed. After about half an hour a knock on the stable door, indicated for me to stop as the vet had just arrived. I said my goodbyes to Bimbo and Ruby and felt such sadness fill my heart. Leaving Remus that day, the reality of what they have to deal with on a daily basis hit me, the scale of responsibility and care of the animals  is enormous.

Driving home, with everywhere filled with the magic of Christmas Eve I prayed for a miracle, I did not feel I was being greedy I just felt it so unfair for Bimbo to be put to sleep. As I entered my home laden with vegetable bags Sue phoned and said that Bimbo was able to fight another day. Yay! My angels where listening to me that day.  I have been to Remus every week since and have offered Reiki to Bimbo and Ruby, always the energy is so gentle. Bimbo looks so much better, he will need to have an operation soon which Remus are trying to raise money for, but his future at this very moment in time looks bright.

by Caroline Thomas

I went to the zoo last week with two animal communicators who have extraordinary gifts. We visited Popcorn Zoo in Forked River, NJ spending time with an exceptionally compassionate man, John Bergman, who has been involved with the Humane Society for over thirty years and has helped create the zoo over this span of time as a variety of exotic and other animals came under his care.

I am completely indebted to the two animal communicators, who wish to be anonymous, for this brief submission and my sister, Agnes, who took pictures during our visit. I am going to let the conversations between the communicators and the animals tell their own story with an occasional picture. Enjoy!!

I am going to depict the conversations as received from Communicator M who is very attuned to what animals wish to communicate and Communicator K who has the gift to speak to the animal and be understood by them.

One of the first animals we met was the camel, Princess. It was a very hot and humid day and she had severe arthritis in her legs. She was just baking in the hot sun. And just looked totally thirsty

K: [Encouraging her to get some water] You must get some water for yourself.  Get up and get some water!

M: You fetch me some water please.

K: No, I can’t get inside to fetch you water, you must get up yourself.

M: [Slight movement of the head looking over at the water.]

K: You need to do better than that.  Go load up for the day.  [All to no avail – effort just too much.]

An Emu was strutting up and down along the cage and we were wondering what she was up to.

M: I want the red box people. Where are the red box people? [No one in our party had any red box filled with popcorn.]

People eventually came with popcorn but she did not have an interest in them as they offered her popcorn.

M: Look at how pretty I am!!

As she continued to strut up and down along the fence.

M:Where are the red box people?

Seemingly she just wanted admiration from the Red Box People.

Next we visited a horse.

M: I want some carrots!!

K:  I will go and find some carrots for you.

Later K told the manager about the horse’s wish for carrots who got in touch with one of his staff to get her some carrots.

M: My butt itches!

Bob the Macaw parrot was in a beautiful large cage at the office entrance and where the previous dedicated owner still visits him. He had often let him out of the cage when he was doing his work in the garden and one day the parrot had flown into a tool shed and somehow dislodged some tools which caused him serious injury and one of his wings needed to be amputated.

M: Things came crashing down. Things came crashing down. And they took my wing.

K: No one took your wing. When things came crashing down it injured your wing and it  had to be amputated.  This is what made you better.

Greta was a breeder who had all her puppies taken away from her and who escaped. She was brought to the attention of the Humane Society and John found it very difficult to catch her. It took many weeks and much patience. She was very distrustful of everyone. John kept her by his side in his office and she has become very attached to him.

M: She is afraid that you will leave her. When you go home at night she is very fearful that you will not return.

Later the Manager wrote us and told us Greta was feeling more comfortable every day.  He had more staff walk her so that she would get use to others but still does not like to leave his side. But he did have her with another dog and she was able to keep her focus on that dog and-not where he was. Those things seem to be the key and-he thinks he has found her a forever home.

A chicken was walking around the zoo grounds looking for peanuts.

M: Where are the peanuts? [Looking for peanuts although it is making her feathers fall out.]

K: [Trying to give her popcorn.]

M: That’s popcorn. Where are the peanuts?

K: Referred to her as a rooster.

M: Quite insulted. [M tells K that she’s a chicken.]

K: Referred to her as a chicken

M: Still insulted. [Oops! She wants to be referred to as Miss Hen.]

K: Only when she was called Miss Hen, did she look at K.

Just three weeks previously the lioness, Nyla, had lost her companion, Porsche. She was seriously ill and when they decided to do X-rays and blood work to determine the extent of her illness and a possible way to treat her, she died in the process.

M: Porsche wants to thank you for letting her go.

M. Nyla just wants security and sameness – doesn’t want any changes right now.  Does not want a new friend now.

Cesar is from the same family as Dante, another Tiger in the Zoo. He was in need of special care which he was able to receive at a sanctuary at Texas A & M before coming to the Popcorn Zoo where he continued to improve daily.

He is the youngest Tiger at the Zoo. Many kids were surrounding the fence where Cesar was and just being kids but Cesar was not happy with them. He began pacing up and down along the fence.

M: I don’t like things thrown at me. [Kids were throwing popcorn into the fence.]

M: Nervous at the loud, high voices of the children and was pacing because the noise stressed him out.

He began to eat the grass by the fence

M: I need to calm my nerves.

DANTE

Another tiger nearby was inside on this hot humid day and we called for him to come out.

K: Come on out and take a a swim in the pool. There is a nice breeze out here.

M: It is cooler inside

At first we thought he had air-conditioning inside, but later found they had fans.

Later the manager John came out and called to him.

Amazingly he came right out and up to the fence.

M: You are on the wrong side.

There were two fences, an outside fence and an inside fence. John then took us between the two fences and Dante laid down and put his body right next to the fence where John could scratch his back and neck.

M: [He then purred.] Thank you very much.

After John left and we had come back out of the fence space between the fences some children began to mimic sounds of a tiger or lion roaring.

M: I don’t sound like that.

What a great day. We were all so grateful to all the animals and especially to John Bergmann, manager of the zoo. He was so helpful and gracious to us and wanted the e-mails of the animal communicators to keep in touch with them when needed. And what a validation of the wonderful work he has been doing in the zoo. No animals even hinted at any issues concerning their care.

Bill Stevens

I met Missy during my first month as a volunteer at Horse Haven of Tennessee. Following my volunteer shifts, I am able to do Reiki work with the horses that our barn manager feels would benefit. I had been primarily working with a Hackney pony, Napoleon, who had a severe mistrust of most people with the exception of our barn manager. He had been coming along nicely, so when a new group of rescue horses arrived, I began to work with them as well. The first horse I chose to work with was Missy. As I entered her stall, I realized that this was the type of moment I had most feared experiencing since starting my work at Horse Haven: she was severely emaciated, weak and blind in one eye. She openly welcomed me into her space. She had been munching on a large pile of hay, deeply contented. You could see some relief in her face to have clean water and probably what seemed to be a never ending supply of hay.

I began to let the Reiki flow from the corner of her stall. She stopped her munching to shift her stance in my direction, and as the minutes rolled by she began to lower her head into a relaxed position. After some time, she approached me and put her head right into my hands. This was a new experience for me, because Napoleon had exclusively preferred to experience Reiki without contact. Missy directed my hands to her blind side, clearly wanting to feel the Reiki near her blind eye and on this side of her head. After a while, she stepped forward and leaned into me so I could place my hands on her chest and shoulder. She gradually repositioned herself, even actually turning around, so I could place my hands on the sharp prominent bones of her spine and hind quarters. It was in this very moment, while working with such a trusting and beautiful though severely neglected soul, that I realized that the Reiki was lifting me up and far away from my fear and sorrow. The Reiki was allowing me to hold the light for Missy, creating the healing space that she desperately needed. It was even more amazing in that I felt almost a forgiveness pouring out of her heart toward human kind and to those that had abused her. She could see so far beyond this, even in her weakened condition, to allow another human to share her space, remaining fully open to the experience that unfolded between us.

I thanked Missy for giving me the privilege to create a healing space for her with Reiki and for the healing that I received as well. As I said good bye to her, I was already looking forward to our next session the following week. I did distant Reiki work with her on the following two days and felt a connection with her and acceptance of the Reiki treatments. The following Sunday when I arrived for my weekly shift, my heart dropped when I saw that her stall was empty. I frantically sought out my shift leader, who sadly informed me that Missy had colicked on Thursday night and despite all efforts to save her, she died around midnight that night. She was surrounded by the volunteers on duty that night that stayed on to assist the veterinary team. She died peacefully, surrounded with the love and caring that had been absent from her life for far too long. I still think of Missy to this day and feel so blessed to have known this beautiful spirit, even for such a short time. Her memory will remain with me always.

Carrie Dorsey-Higdon

I received the most wonderful story from a Reiki colleague Martha Wewer, who volunteers regularly at Carolina Tiger Rescue in North Carolina. I am so pleased to present this story to all of you. It is an amazing lesson in animal awareness of the energy, and the connections and trust that can be created, even with wild animals. A big key to Martha’s success here, is her respectful approach, which all animals appreciate. Working with these incredible animals, Martha is also learning the important lesson in letting go of our expectations and learning to trust in the energy. Enjoy reading this heartwarming story!

With Animal Reiki Blessings,

Kathleen Prasad, SARA President

You Do Reiki on WHAT?!?
By Martha K. Wewer

I started volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, NC because my husband, Tim, took a position as an intern animal keeper at the facility.  This wonderful non-profit sanctuary is dedicated to saving big and small cats while educating the public of the natural history and plight of these amazing animals.  During his orientation the animal curator, Kathryn, had mentioned to my husband that there was a volunteer who did Reiki on the some of the cats.  Tim was thrilled and told Kathryn, “my wife does Reiki and loves animals!  Maybe she could help!”  Of course I was beyond thrilled, I mean, who wouldn’t be?  I would be spending time with tigers!  Then nervousness, anxiousness and doubt set in.  How would I approach this situation?  (Carolina Tiger Rescue has a strict “hands-off” policy with the animals; even the ones who have been reared at the facility are not to be touched out of respect for the animal and the safety of the volunteer).  What if I wasn’t good enough?  What if I didn’t help the animals enough?  What if it had been too long?  What if I was too emotionally drained to be of any use?

About a year and a half ago, a personal tragedy in mine and my husband’s lives caused me to be angry, sad, anxious, and depressed.  I lost faith in myself and the universe around me.  I had even walked away from Reiki.  Every new opportunity in my life now was colored by my intense grief.  But I was so excited to spend even a minute at the Rescue that I swallowed my fears and trusted in myself and the Reiki.

Tim decided that the two animals who would benefit most from twice weekly Reiki sessions were Nitro Tiger and Reagandale Ocelot.  Nitro Tiger (and his enclosure mate, Apache Tiger) came to the Rescue in April of this year from a junkyard in Kansas.  Upon arriving at the Rescue, it became obvious to the keepers that Nitro was blind.  Despite his rough start in life and his disability, he would “chuffle” (a tigers way of saying “hello” – sort of a low, quick purring noise) at the keepers.  Nitro seemed to know he was safe but he was still fearful and anxious at times, particularly when the pickup trucks used to deliver the food would drive past his enclosure.  He would begin to pace frantically and turn in circles, clearly in distress.  The goal was to provide healing to Nitro in hopes that he would become more and more comfortable in his surroundings.

Nitro the Tiger

My second “client” was Reagandale Ocelot, who was born at the Rescue.  She suffered an injury as a kitten that damaged her left front leg, causing her to limp and stumble while running, climbing and jumping – all things that ocelots do a lot of.  The goal with Reagandale was to provide some relief to her arthritic leg and increase her quality of life.

Reagandale

I had read through The Animal Reiki Handbook and practiced on myself, Tim and our dogs but let me tell you, when the day came to head out to the Rescue, I was still nervous.  As we approached Reagandale’s enclosure, I took a deep breath, placed my towel on the ground in front of her, sat down, and asked her permission to begin.  I recited the 5 Reiki principles, placed my hands palms up on my knees and began the session.  In a matter of a minute or so, my hands got so warm!  I was tempted to open my eyes and see how Reagandale was reacting but I resisted.  One of the most wonderful things about Reagandale is she purrs…loudly…and intensely.  I could practically track her by the noise she was making and boy, she was active!  She would sit in front of me at the fence, run up her ramp to her perch, climb onto her den box…

Martha offers Reiki to Reagandale

After 15 minutes or so, I didn’t hear her purring anymore so I opened my eyes.  She had retreated to the back of the enclosure so I took that as a sign from her that she was done with her Reiki treatment.  I thanked her and got up.  Tim had been observing us and he was amazed.  He had never seen Reagandale so active!  In subsequent sessions, keepers and staff would observe my Reiki treatments with Reagandale and they would say the same thing, she was definitely livelier and more energetic then they had ever seen her.

Reagandale Relaxing

We headed over to Nitro’s enclosure.  I sat cross-legged on my towel in front of the enclosure and asked his permission begin.  I could hear Nitro pacing back and forth in front of me.  Like with Reagandale, I could track him with my ears.  I was concentrating on his fear and anxiety and hoping that by sending him waves of love, he would settle down.  I heard Nitro continue to pace and then he stopped.  Nothing.  No noise.  I opened one eye and there he was, all 400 pounds, right in front of me, pawing at the ground.  There was no aggression, just curiousness…I knew he couldn’t see me but he knew I was there (for the record, tigers don’t rely heavily on their sense of smell and I had been instructed not to wear anything scented so he wasn’t just smelling me).  We continued that way for the rest of the session – Nitro would move in and out of my direct line of “sight,” stopping to paw at me occasionally.  Finally, after about 20 minutes, he moved to the back of the enclosure and lay down.  I took that as a sign that he was done and thanked him and got up.  Tim looked at me in wonder and said he had never seen Nitro paw at the fence like that.  I left the Rescue that day, just ecstatic.

Martha offers Reiki to Nitro

Over the course of the past 3 months, I have been volunteering with Nitro and Reagandale twice a week.  I would love to say that Nitro is no longer fearful of the trucks or that he has stopped pacing but that is not the case.  There are days when Nitro wants nothing to do with me and the sessions are short.  Other days, he will lie down in front of me during the session and it will last 25-30 minutes.  I can report that an unexpected benefit of my sessions with Nitro is that shy and protective Apache, Nitro’s enclosure mate, has become more and more present in our sessions.  He had been rarely seen outside of his den box with the exception of meal time, but during my sessions with Nitro he will often lie down several feet from us and watch me.  Only 2 weeks ago, I sat down to begin work with Nitro and Apache stood up in his den box, looked directly at me and walked straight to where I sat, put his face right in front of mine, and began to “chuffle.”  It was the most unbelievable experience to have a 400 pound tiger walk directly at you, staring you in the eyes.

Martha offers Reiki to Apache

My experiences have been the same with Reagandale as with Nitro.  Some days my hands are so warm from the energy she is taking and other days, while she’s friendly and purring, she doesn’t seem to need the energy as much.  My ego wants to “cure” them, to “fix” them both and I get frustrated that there is not some more obvious break though that I can point to and say, “I did that!”  However, I’m trusting in myself again and trusting in the Reiki.  I know both animals are taking from our sessions what they need, when they need it and using in whatever way they need to.  While I struggle with my desire to make everything “perfect” for these cats, I remain unbelievably grateful to have the opportunity to try.