Paws for Joy

Misty used to be so fearful of strangers that she’d crawl on her belly out of fear — not a behavior you would expect from a participant in the All-Breed Dog Show and Obedience Trial in Duluth. That is where Dawn LaPointe, Reiki Master Teacher and Healing Touch for Animals® Practitioner, met Misty for the first time.

Owner of Paws for Joy, LaPointe gave Misty a session of energy work right there at the show.

“She seemed more content by the end of the session,” LaPointe, owner of Paws for Joy, said. “A little while afterward, the owner’s daughter came back to my booth and said that Misty was not only not crawling on her belly, but that she was actually letting people touch her.”

“It is very heart-warming and rewarding for me to see animals whose comfortand enjoyment of life are remarkably enhanced through energy work, and to observe the bonds that grow stronger between the animals and their guardians,” said LaPointe who first began exploring Reiki for her own animals.

Reiki (RAY-key), meaning universal life force energy in Japanese, is the energy found in all things. Reiki and Healing Touch for Animals® are gentle methods of energy work which encourage relaxation and aid in stress reduction. Energy work helps to balance the body’s energies, may enhance general well-being and encourage the body’s innate healing abilities to function more effectively.

A full session typically lasts 60 minutes. During a session, the practitioner gently places her hands in various positions on or near the animal, while offering Reiki energy through her hands and working with the animal’s energy systems.

“I started exploring energy work because I want to do as much as I can for my own animals,” said LaPointe. “They are great companions. Although I learned how to do Reiki and Healing Touch for Animals® to share the benefits with them, I have chosen to finish my studies because I also find it to be beneficial for my own self-care, reducing stress, and in improving my lifestyle. I see the positive affects that it has on my animals as well.”

Whether an animal suffers from fear, timidity or anxiety issues, LaPointe encourages people to seek help for their animals. “Don’t endure living with unwanted behavior that continues or escalates. There is some type of solution out there. If it’s a medical issue, your vet can help; if it’s behavioral, try sessions of energy work.”

Aside from addressing behavioral issues, energy work can also help improve communication and teamwork between an owner and their animal, especially during competition and show situations.

“It’s wonderful to see humans and animals benefit from transforming to a healthier lifestyle,” said LaPointe. “Animals are teachers and mirrors of us; they are very present and typically do not have all of the baggage that humans can have. They help us to better ourselves and improve our lifestyles by encouraging balance and joy.”

For performance animals, energy work is also known to reduce stress during competition, improve focus, and augment training and performance both for the animal and handler.

Animals appear to be very sensitive to energy work, and some will actively participate in the session by moving into the position they find most beneficial or pleasing to them. The animal may lie still, reposition to guide the session or may even fall asleep. The animal may also show signs of contentment and relaxation or appear invigorated following the session.

“At the end of a session when the animal is balanced, I can see the contentment in their eyes, and the owner appears relieved when they see the positive shift in the animal. Having a content, balanced companion animal often has a positive influence on the whole family,” said LaPointe.

Sessions are available for horses, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, various other small animals, as well as sessions for people.

In addition to individual sessions, LaPointe offers instructional classes to teach pet owners how to use Reiki for self-care and how to share the benefits of Reiki with their own animals. Her 11-year-old Golden Retriever, Jack, helps with the classes as a demo dog.

“I started exploring energy work because I want to do as much as I can for my own animals,” said LaPointe. “They are great companions. Although I learned how to do Reiki and Healing Touch for Animals® to share the benefits with them, I have chosen to finish my studies because I also find it to be beneficial for my own self-care, reducing stress, and in improving my lifestyle. I see the positive affects that it has on my animals as well.”

Whether an animal suffers from fear, timidity or anxiety issues, LaPointe encourages people to seek help for their animals. “Don’t endure living with unwanted behavior that continues or escalates. There is some type of solution out there. If it’s a medical issue, your vet can help; if it’s behavioral, try sessions of energy work.”

Aside from addressing behavioral issues, energy work can also help improve communication and teamwork between an owner and their animal, especially during competition and show situations.

“It’s wonderful to see humans and animals benefit from transforming to a healthier lifestyle,” said LaPointe. “Animals are teachers and mirrors of us; they are very present and typically do not have all of the baggage that humans can have. They help us to better ourselves and improve our lifestyles by encouraging balance and joy.”

One of only a few professionals in the area who specializes in energy work for animals, LaPointe offers sessions throughout Minnesota and works with clients to integrate care with other professionals when needed.

Tags: ln livinghealthy, livingnorth