I first become interested in Reiki (which is a form of energy healing) after my Great Dane Caesar jammed his toe real bad . I rushed him to the vet with a bleeding toe. After a couple vet visits it seemed it was not healing as quickly as it should. We were told by our vet that there was a possibility that the toe might have to be amputated if it did not heal. This due to the fact that would be a higher risk of cancer developing. To make a long story shorter, I felt sort of useless and wanted to help my dog in addition to just waiting for the medication and time to work.
I was aware of Reiki already and this was the perfect excuse to get myself attuned (the process by which one is initiated and opens your body to better allow the flow of healing energy). To those unfamiliar it is the laying on of hands, although you need not even lay hands on your dog or spouse or whom ever. You can also send Reiki from just above the body, working with the aura, or from a distance even. You are merely acting as a conduit, channeling the healing energy and directing it to the person or animal. The Reiki energy is not actually doing the healing but instead creating profound relaxation thus allowing the body to heal itself. Anyone can learn Reiki easily. All you need is to be attuned by a certified Reiki Master. Simple as that. You can become attuned to the first two levels in a weekend. You need not go further than that to be effective. So for the equivalent cost of a few Vet visits, I now am able to participate the well-being and healing of my dogs in a way that was not possible before.
So now even when there is nothing even wrong with my dogs, I may give them Reiki treatments just because it is deeply relaxing and healing for them while we are watching tv or whatever. Sometimes animals find the Reiki energy too much at first so you need to proceed slowly, always allowing them the choice as to whether or not they are in the mood to receive Reiki. If they are accepting the Reiki they usually fall asleep. They will always let you know when they have had enough by getting up.
Let me end this by saying that I never rely on Reiki alone to heal my dogs. I always use it as an adjunct to seeing the Vet. I find the Reiki assists and helps along the healing process. I myself am no expert on Reiki. I am a Level two practitioner who offers it to my dogs because I love them and want to be a part of their health. More info about Reiki can be found at:
http://www.reiki.org/faq/whatisreiki.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki
Posted by thefifthpaw 
