Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Reiki, an energy therapy that originated in Japan, is is based on the idea that all living beings have life energy flowing through them. When life energy is high, you and your cats are healthy and balanced, more relaxed and less likely to get sick. When it is low, you and your cats will often be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki helps return the body to its natural state of balance and well-being. It is a safe complement to conventional Western medicine, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy and all other forms of healing.
Reiki at Animal Medical Center
Most major human cancer centers and hospitals have been offering Reiki as part of their alternative or integrative medicine offerings for quite some time, including Sloan-Kettering in New York and MD Anderson in Texas. I was delighted when I recently found out that the Animal Medical Center in New York is offering Reiki to its furry patients.
Animal Medical Center is is a non-profit veterinary center that has been a national leader in animal care for more than 100 years. As an academic veterinary hospital, the AMC promotes the health and well-being of companion animals through advanced treatment, research and education. Nearly 100 veterinarians utilize an interdisciplinary team approach combining expertise in more than 25 specialties and services to care for pets 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Service offers therapies are not meant to replace conventional therapies, but work in concert with a pet’s current medical treatment. In addition to Reiki, AMC also offers acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, and stem cell therapy.
I had a chance to speak with Deana Cappuchi, a Licensed Veterinary Technician, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant, Certified Canine Massage Practitioner and Reiki Practitioner at the AMC. Deana explained that Reiki is offered as an adjunct therapy for pets who are at AMC for surgery or cancer treatments. Reiki can also be incorporated into acupuncture treatments. “We try to keep things positive for our patients,” said Deana. “Reiki helps calm them.”
Benefits of Reiki
Reiki offers numerous benefits for both pets and people. It can help with minor things like head aches or stomach aches, colds, flu, tension and anxiety as well as serious illness like cancer and heart disease. It can reduce or eliminate side effects of conventional medical treatment, including the negative effects of chemotherapy and radiation. It can strengthen the immune system and accelerate natural healing following surgery or illness. It can alleviate pain, both acute and chronic.
Cats are naturally receptive to the Reiki energy and tend to gravitate toward it readily. Although it may be a little far-fetched, some people even say cats invented Reiki. Cats are sensitive to energy in general, and because of this, they are ideal recipients for any kind of energy therapy, including Reiki.
As a Reiki Master Practitioner who works primarily with cats (although I also work with dogs and humans,) I’m delighted to see Reiki offered at a major veterinary center. I hope it’s the beginning of a nationwide trend. Most cats get stressed when they have to go to the vet’s, and Reiki is a simple way to calm them. I’d like to see more veterinary clinics follow AMC’s lead and include Reiki in their service offering.
For more information about the Animal Medical Center, please visit www.amcny.org. For more information about Reiki, please visit my Healing Hands website.
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
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