How to Prepare for an Animal Reiki Session

Animal Reiki doesn’t require much preparation. More than anything, we encourage you to create a calm, familiar environment where your animal can settle in, move freely, and receive the session in whatever way feels most comfortable to them.

Whether your animal is experiencing Reiki for the first time or has received energy work before, a few simple steps can help make the experience feel relaxed and supportive.

Before Your Session

Choose a comfortable, familiar space

If your Animal Reiki session is taking place remotely, choose a space where your animal already feels safe and at ease.

This might be their favorite bed, a quiet room, a familiar corner of the house, a stall, pasture, or simply wherever they naturally choose to rest.

There’s no need to create a perfectly quiet environment or encourage your animal to stay in one particular place. Familiarity is more important than perfection.

Keep their routine as normal as possible

Animals often find comfort in routine, so there’s usually no need to significantly change their day in preparation for Reiki.

Allow them to eat, drink, go outside, exercise, or rest according to their usual rhythm unless your veterinarian has given you different instructions.

If possible, avoid scheduling the session during a particularly stimulating part of their day, such as immediately before a meal, walk, feeding time, or another activity they become especially excited about.

Give them freedom to move

Your animal does not need to lie still, stay beside you, or behave in any particular way during Reiki.

They may rest nearby, move around the room, leave and return, fall asleep, play, eat, or simply continue with their normal routine.

Allowing them that freedom is part of the experience.

You’re welcome to come with an intention

Before the session, you may want to consider what has been bringing you and your animal to Reiki.

Perhaps they have been experiencing a period of transition, stress, recovery, aging, behavioral change, or simply seem to need additional rest and support.

You’re welcome to share anything that feels relevant with your practitioner before the session begins. You also don’t need to arrive with a specific goal. Reiki can simply be an opportunity to offer your animal a quiet, restorative experience.

What to Expect During Animal Reiki

Every animal responds differently to Reiki.

At Keepers Collective, our distance Animal Reiki sessions take place over Zoom so you can remain connected with Jillian throughout the experience while your animal stays comfortably in their own environment.

Your practitioner will guide you through the session while offering Reiki to your animal without requiring physical touch, restraint, or a particular response from them.

Some animals become noticeably relaxed or sleepy. Others may stretch, yawn, change positions, move closer to their person, walk away and return, or simply continue behaving as they normally would.

There is no “right” response.

Your animal does not need to concentrate, cooperate, or understand what is happening. They are welcome to engage with the experience in their own way.

Your Role During the Session

You don’t need to make anything happen for your animal.

Whenever possible, simply remain nearby and allow the environment to stay calm and comfortable. Try to avoid repeatedly calling your animal back, repositioning them, or encouraging them to behave a certain way.

You may even find that the session becomes a quiet moment for you as well.

Because animals are often deeply attuned to the people around them, creating a slower atmosphere can help give both of you room to settle.

After Your Animal’s Reiki Session

Afterward, allow your animal to return naturally to their normal routine.

They may want to sleep, drink water, eat, go outside, seek affection, spend time alone, or behave exactly as they usually do.

Rather than looking for a particular reaction, simply notice what you observe over the remainder of the day.

As with human Reiki, there is no particular way an animal is supposed to respond.

You Can Always Ask Questions

If your animal has specific behavioral needs, mobility concerns, sensitivities, or circumstances you think your practitioner should know about, you’re welcome to discuss them before your session.

Our intention is to create an experience that respects your animal’s comfort, boundaries, and individual temperament while offering them space to receive in their own way.

Preparing Can Be Simple

You don’t need to create a special ritual before Animal Reiki.

Choose a familiar space. Keep their routine comfortable. Give them freedom to move. Share anything you think may be helpful with your practitioner, and allow your animal to participate in whatever way feels natural to them.

Most importantly, there is nothing your animal needs to do “correctly” in order to receive Reiki.

Animal Reiki is a complementary wellness practice and is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your animal is experiencing illness, injury, pain, or concerning changes in behavior, please consult a qualified veterinarian.