Spirited Tails
What is Animal Reiki?
The beginnings of Reiki were founded by Usui Mikao in Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It literally translates to Rei (Universal or Spiritual) Ki (life force energy).
Reiki has been shown to impact the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the body's ability to relax. A body that is relaxed, has more capacity for healing.
Animal Reiki is a gentle relaxation technique that helps animals feel safe, calm, and balanced. It’s similar to how people use mindfulness or meditation to relax, but instead, I share that peaceful presence with animals—without forcing touch or expectations.
In 2 separate human studies, Reiki was found to be more effective than placebo and showed potential as a complimentary health therapy. Another human study concluded that Reiki therapy positively impacted quality of life!
In animal studies, it was concluded that Reiki could be useful for minimizing effects of environmental stress on research animals and hospital patients and in another study, all dogs that received Reiki showed an improvement in pain symptoms.
Although Reiki is in the early stages of scientific study, it's reassuring to know that science is now able to prove results and that will enable Reiki to become a more widely accepted healing therapy.
Human Reiki studies are linked below.
Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy
Effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Animal Reiki Studies are Linked below.
Impact of Distant Reiki on Owner Assessment of Health and Wellbeing of Adult Dogs