Animal Reiki – Letting Go

When asked to write down some ideas on the theme of letting go my thoughts naturally turned to autumn and allowing parts of our life fall away just as the trees allow their leaves to fall at this time of year in the age-old cycle of spring, summer, autumn/fall and winter. However just before I started, I went out to visit a young lady who had been looking for a new companion for her horse.

It turned out that his previous companion had recently been euthanized after his pedal bone had rotated due to a severe bout of laminitis. This is a particularly debilitating condition similar to diabetes in humans that we are seeing more and more in modern society and can cut down seemingly healthy horses in their prime. Owners can spend hundreds of pounds and countless hours trying to deal with this complex issue with an animal that can often seem to make it their life purpose to do the exact opposite of what the vet recommends.

In this case after years of managing this condition her pony had eaten too much lush grass causing a severe flair up and the vet had been unable to save him.

So letting go suddenly took on a new meaning; this young girl was devastated by the loss of her beloved pony and his friend was equally traumatized by the sudden disappearance of his herd mate. This is a subject all animal owners need to think about sooner or later as even in healthy pets their life span is not as long as ours. While Reiki can go a long way in supporting our pets to live long, happy and healthy lives, too often there will come a day when their quality of life has deteriorated to such a degree that we have to let go and say goodbye.

When the inevitable time comes, holding a Reiki space for an owner and their pet during this time can help the owner let go and make the transition for the animal a gentle and peaceful process. Sometimes it is a natural transition but often letting go means asking a vet to come and assist with the process. The most stressful part of this is giving the initial sedative; It may come as a surprise to some, but even vets aren’t immune to the stresses of carrying out this service and often their feelings can increase the animal’s anxiety.

If your vet is open to it, including the vet in this Reiki energy space can make it easier for them as well. If this is something you feel called to be involved in it can take a very challenging experience for all concerned and raise it to a profound spiritual experience.

If this is something you feel called to do and you have received the Reiki symbols, HSZSN will offer a gentle spiritual energy to assist in a peaceful transition.

You can also charge the space where the procedure will be carried out ahead of time either physically if you have access to the area, home stable etc, or using distance healing if this is not possible, for example a veterinary surgery creating a wonderful healing space. Afterwards the owner may wish to receive some Reiki to assist in the grief process; often they feel guilt over having taken a life even if it was in the animal’s best interest which will be compounded by their feelings of grief and loss of a much cherished part of their family.

Having been in this situation many times I have found that in terms of helping horses or other animals with letting go, the grief process is less traumatic when we allow them to stay with their companion after death. This allows them to grieve in their own way and come to terms with the loss much faster and with less stress. This can be particularly important if it is a mother with a still birth, they cope much better when they gradually come to the realisation that the infant is not breathing. Again, Reiki will help to ease the pain of loss for all concerned.

I hope you can take what you need from this and see it from a higher perspective of the natural cycle of birth and death. If it has triggered something in you and you would like some support with either feelings of grief or feel called to use your Reiki skills in this way – the UK Reiki Federation are here for you to support the next part of your journey.