Sue Malcolm is a Reiki Master and Animal Reiki Teacher dedicated to helping animals find peace, healing, and relaxation. In this MysticMag interview, she shares her journey to becoming a Reiki Master, the benefits of Reiki for individuals, the nuances of practicing Animal Reiki, and the importance of scientific evidence and veterinary support in the field. Continue reading to find out more.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey up to becoming a Reiki Master and what led you down this path in life?
Back in spring 2011, I was a consultant nutritionist running my own business and looking for a new and inspiring challenge. One Sunday morning whilst sitting in bed listening to the beautiful sounds of birds twittering, words unexpectedly popped into my head advising me of my life’s purpose – to help sick, abandoned, and cruelly treated animals. I knew little about animals but loved the idea of this mission.
Co-incidences (that I would now describe as synchro-destiny) resulted in me talking to 2 lovely ladies who had attended a level 1 Reiki course. Both had incredible stories to share with me about animals being transformed by Reiki– a dog whose slipped disc naturally realigned following a week of daily Reiki sessions and a severely lame horse, that completely recovered against all odds.
Hearing these stories, I was hooked and had to learn this technique myself. I wish to stress that these are extreme responses and not the everyday norm…but they do sometimes happen and hearing about them sparked my interest in learning this natural holistic therapy.
I contacted two wonderful Reiki teachers who taught Reiki together and I signed up for my first (level I) course straight away. Shortly after my initial training, they told me that in time I would become a Master Reiki Practitioner – and it seems that they were correct! A year later I completed Reiki Practitioner training and subsequently trained to become a Professional Reiki Practitioner, Master Practitioner, and Reiki Teacher, as well as completing training in Animal Reiki at levels I and II (Practitioner) then Master Practitioner, and, finally, Animal Reiki Teacher in 2018.
What are the main benefits of Reiki for an individual?
Being holistic, this complementary therapy works on the whole body and mind together and the benefits can vary widely, depending on each individual and their situation/ circumstances. Positive outcomes may be an improvement in physical, mental, and/or emotional health. However, for those who receive a number of sessions, Reiki may also help with personal development for example confidence building.
When I explain Reiki’s effects, I ask people to reflect on a time that they have been ill or perhaps were recovering from surgery. It is typical to sleep more at these times and this is the body’s natural way to encourage enhanced recovery and tissue repair. When Reiki is received it is usual to feel a sense of relaxation, to the extent that some people even fall asleep. In this relaxed state, the body kick starts its innate self-healing process to benefit the body, how it is most needed.
Additionally, when we are relaxed the following commonly arise:
• Reduction of stress and anxiety, which can lead to lowering of blood pressure and, if sustained, enhanced immunity compared to the stressed state;
• Calm mind – a more relaxed and ‘less busy’ mind enables clear thinking, better decision-making, improved productivity, and greater creativity. In this mental state, we may be less reactive to stressful situations and able to manage them better;
• Improved mood and feeling of emotional well-being – the world can seem a better place when we release stress and negative thoughts, allowing positive ones to take over;
• Possible reduction in pain – Reiki may help to reduce pain and hence benefit related mobility and mental well-being.
Many other outcomes have also been experienced but we can never guarantee specific outcomes. Reiki energy will naturally flow to where it is needed for the optimum benefit.
Reiki, above all, is relaxing and, as stress is the main cause of illness, Reiki has to be positive in helping our population, as a preventative measure, for maintenance of well-being, and to help when health issues have arisen be they physical, mental, or emotional. We do not need to be ill for Reiki, a little rest and relaxation time can be good for us all
What exactly is Animal Reiki and how is it different from other forms of Reiki?
Firstly, I’d like to start with what Animal Reiki is not. It is not just Reiki, applied to animals. It is much more than that! In fact, my Animal Reiki students regularly say to me “I didn’t realise there was so much to Animal Reiki”.
Reiki Practitioners regularly offer Reiki to animals but to describe yourself as an Animal Reiki Practitioner, certain knowledge, skills, and expertise should be acquired through training or many years of practice, coupled with a good understanding of animals.
Now back to your question, here are a few key differences:
• Firstly, we need to think about where and when Reiki will be offered and who might be present. Animal Reiki sessions are typically carried out at a familiar location for the animal at a time that best suits them, allowing rest time afterwards.
• Could safety issues exist, and what precautions should you take?
• We don’t communicate to animals in advance as we do with people, explaining the session and what may be experienced, unless you also carry out Animal Communication. Consequently, you need to earn an animal’s trust and confidence through your actions, calm energy, and emotion
• Animals are also not necessarily going to just lie down and relax next to you – some will but others may walk about, not be interested or respond with different actions.
• The reason for Reiki may be different too, for example, fears feature highly – fireworks, other animals, people, traffic, and separation anxiety to name just a few. Triggers may also bring back memories of past painful or scary experiences and unknown situations, such as arriving unexpectedly in a rescue centre, can pose concerns for the future.
So, it is really important to be aware of how to approach animals in different physical, mental, and emotional states and know how to act to best earn their trust before and during the Animal Reiki session. Learn a little about animal behaviour and body language cues, and ALWAYS go at the animal’s pace starting from a distance away and allowing them to be in control of how, when, and where Reiki is offered, IF they wish to receive it.
Finally, awareness of very basic anatomy and physiology (horse points, major organs, and bone locations) can be helpful knowledge to possess. Although unnecessary for Reiki it may give the owner confidence in you, should they explain their animal’s recent fracture, for example, and you know where in the body this is or can ask an appropriate question.
Are there any specific rules, professional guidelines, and legislation you have to be aware of when practicing Animal Reiki?
Absolutely yes! When Reiki is offered to animals, and I like to stress ‘offered’ vs ‘given’ as this provides the animal with choice, and hence a feeling of security, we must ensure that all relevant animal-related legislation is complied with. In the UK, this includes veterinary, Animal Welfare and Notifiable Disease, as well as the usual legislation that applies to Reiki Practitioners such as data protection, advertising, and confidentiality.
Animals should be seen by a veterinary surgeon prior to Reiki for a diagnosis if an undiagnosed medical health issue is known or suspected unless Reiki is just being offered for calming purposes whilst waiting for a vet. These health conditions include changes in behaviour, especially sudden changes.
Anyone offering Reiki to animals, other than those of their own family, should check if they need specific Animal Reiki insurance. Some insurance companies offer Animal Reiki insurance for no extra charge to Reiki insurance and student Animal Reiki insurance may also be offered. It’s worth checking your situation.
What are the differences between different levels of Reiki?
Level 1 – Learn the basics of Reiki and gain experience through self-treatments and in most styles of Reiki, practicing (unpaid) on friends and family, gaining useful feedback
Level 2 Practitioner – Progress to learn how to become a Reiki Practitioner and then you can offer paid treatments. This training includes distant healing techniques – wonderfully effective ways to send Reiki
Master Practitioner – By now you have gained a respectable amount of expertise and live a Reiki ‘way of life’. You may progress to teaching when ready
Teacher – Now it is time to share your learnings with others, including a wealth of personal experiences that enrich your teaching.
Depending on the style of Reiki, there may be four separate training courses or fewer. If fewer, they will ideally take place over an extended time period. Most Reiki training courses carry a history that goes back to the founder as we know Reiki today – Mikao Usui.
Animal Reiki training can follow these 4 stages, or may again be carried out in fewer courses – but it is really important that training courses teach students to understand animals as well as about offering Reiki to them. They should also include observed and guided practical work and for the Practitioner level, teacher-assessed Animal Reiki session notes are advisable.
Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to add?
For Animal Reiki to optimally benefit animals, it is imperative to gain support from the veterinary profession. This requires scientific evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of Animal Reiki; starting with proving that Reiki is relaxing for animals; plus, good quality training courses and well-trained Animal Reiki practitioners.
Some small US studies are starting to show the relaxation benefit of Animal Reiki via heart rate variability, which is fantastic but we need more and some larger trials. Whilst I was the Animal Reiki Co-Ordinator for the UK Reiki Federation Management for nine years, I co-authored a publication for Animal Reiki Practitioners and students called Animal Reiki: A working guide for Reiki Practitioners. Additionally, I led a project with all of the UK Reiki Council member organisations to create three National Training Standards for Animal Reiki and from this, criteria were developed for the recognition of Animal Reiki Practitioners and training courses by the respective professional UK Reiki organisations. Other organisations are welcome to make enquiries if wishing to adopt these standards too. For more details on the criteria see www.reikifed.co.uk/reiki-info/animal-reiki.
To learn more about Sue and her work, you can visit her website at www.thereikiexperience.co.uk
