I was attuned into Reiki by my Reiki Master Dr. Maria Jocelyn Bilasano. It was 2006, I was looking into different bodywork modalities to help my Papa with his back ache. Little did I know, Reiki technology would help me understand energy work and how we can heal ourselves and help others in one’s own healing process. 

What began as a personal journey for self-care gradually expanded into something more—first with friends and family, then with my own animals. I don’t run a clinic, but I do accept a small number of clients, mostly by word of mouth. Over time, I’ve come to see Reiki not just as a practice, but as a language of trust.

I’d like to share a little bit about what Reiki is. Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing technique developed by Dr. Mikao Usui. It involves channeling universal life force energy through the hands to promote balance, relaxation, and well-being. Passed down through a lineage of Reiki masters and teachers, it is now one of the most widely known energy healing practices in the world.

In animal Reiki, the same principles apply, but with greater sensitivity. Practitioners use a hands-on or hands-near approach, offering energy rather than directing it. Animals are not forced to accept Reiki; rather, the practitioner waits for cues—physical or intuitive—that signal consent. Sessions are often quiet, respectful, and guided by the animal’s comfort. The goal is not to “fix” but to create space for healing, letting the animal draw in the energy as needed.

Reiki can benefit animals greatly. In my own experience, it has supported my pets’ emotional and physical healing, helping them find calm, comfort, and relief. While Reiki should never replace veterinary care, it can serve as a complementary practice alongside medical treatments.

Sachi, my senior husky, had been suffering from rashes that caused her great discomfort. Some nights, she would stay up scratching, biting, and stretching in ways I didn’t think a twelve-year-old dog could do—just to get a moment’s relief. We had tried everything: medication, food adjustments, topical creams, medicated shampoos. Nothing seemed to work.

One evening, I silently asked her if she would be open to a Reiki session. She came to me and rested her head on my lap. That was her answer. I began the session with care and intention, connecting to the Reiki energy and gently placing my hands where I felt she needed attention most. Afterward, she slept peacefully—something she hadn’t done in days.

Cleopatra, my adopted puspin, was a different case. New to our home and still finding her place, she was sweet but withdrawn. I sensed that while she liked me and wanted to settle into this new chapter of her life, she was still carrying the weight of her past. She wasn’t quite ready to meet the other animals in the house. She moved carefully, always half-guarded.

Again, I asked for her permission. I looked at her and mentally offered her the space to receive Reiki. She took a sip of water, approached me, and purred. That was her yes. I placed my hands gently on her, following the energetic cues toward areas where she held tension. Since then, Cleopatra has begun to open up. She’s less cautious, more playful, and increasingly present. She has softened into herself.

These moments have deepened my connection with my animals. Reiki has helped me listen with patience and presence. It’s allowed me to care for them not just physically, but energetically.

I’d like to reiterate: Reiki is not a replacement for veterinary treatment. It is one part of a larger approach to care. What matters most, though, is how we offer it. When it comes to any form of healing, especially energy work, it’s important to ask permission. Letting animals know our intention—energetically or verbally—creates space for trust, honesty, and openness.

Animals know more than we think. When we meet them with respect, they let us in.