Reiki Case Studies: A Sheltering Experience ::
One of the philosophies of our Education Network is to provide our students with a variety of opportunities to practice what they learn in class. One of our paths to accomplish this is by having them volunteer their services with a local animal shelter. We work with a local shelter (Chicago area) and have instituted a program where they provide us with cases involving animals who have issues that have kept them from being adopted. These issues run the spectrum of fear, anxiety, anger, and health concerns.
For the shelter case studies, each animal case is paired with two students who have been attuned to the Reiki II level. This allows them to send Reiki long distance, and work it into their personal schedule from home. The students coordinate their schedules with each other as a team, and begin to send Reiki to the animal 4 times a week. Many of the students have taken the Animal Communication Courses, so they are incorporating that skill as well during their sessions to support the animals.
This approach has been very gratifying for all involved. The shelter staff and volunteers provide feedback. The improvements are gradual as many of these animals have been at the shelter for years, but to see the animals respond and begin to trust humans again is heartwarming.
Recently, we had one instance where the students worked with a cat who was withdrawn and avoided human interaction. After two weeks of receiving Reiki, the cat began to socialize and was adopted by a woman who says she is very affectionate and playing with her other cats. The staff told us that they noticed a behavioral difference in her prior to her being adopted, a change that began when the cat was being sent Reiki.
Students interested in being certified as a Reiki Master Teacher through our Education Network classes complete 15 case studies, human or animal, between Reiki II and the Reiki Master Teacher class. Donating their services to the shelter helps them fulfill their requirement, and, at the same time provides a healing service to the animals in need. Each session is documented, and the shelter director is updated monthly on the status of the animals being treated. The shelter in turn provides feedback on the
the status of each animal’s behavior and wellbeing. The case study program has been received very positively from the shelter
staff, and so much so, that they will now contact us when an animal has first arrived, and is in need of calming or healing
energy.
The benefits of this gentle practice can be a natural form of support for the medical staff and their tasks at the shelter to keep the animals well. By working together, Reiki can help alleviate the suffering of the animals and help to bring them to
improved health mentally, emotionally, and physically. This offers them a better chance of being adopted and being
joyfully welcomed into their forever home and family.
Categories: Animal Reiki, General Information —
