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Sue Malcolm

Mia & Dexter: A Story Testimonial

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We have two cats almost 21yr old Mia and Dexter who is about 5 yrs old. Dexter adopted us about 3 and a half years ago . He has always been a very nervous and skittish cat . He wouldn’t even stay inside the conservatory without the door remaining open when having his food. As time went on we had to introduce him inside as we were moving house from London to Yorkshire November 2014. He coped well with the move and adjusted to being a complete house cat. However he continued to be very nervous and wary of strangers. Running away upstairs as soon as the door bell rang before they even entered the house and would gingerly reappear only after they had left. 

Three weeks ago as I write, myself and the cats had our first reiki session with Sue. My partner had brought Dexter into the room but it was up to Dexter whether he stayed or not. He was behind one of the sofas but at least he stayed in the room. Sue centred the reiki on the cats initially. Eventually  Dexter appeared and was clearly responding although he was still a bit wary of Sue and moved back if she moved towards him.

The second treatment started with me. About 10 minutes into it Dexter appeared and jumped up onto my knee – he never sits on my knee! He was so relaxed and content. At the end of the session he rubbed his head against Sue’s hand then licked her fingers. It was so lovely to see him so comfortable with someone other than my partner and myself. It made me feel very emotional. 

Third session started with Dexter standing beside the sofa watching Sue giving reiki to me. He very quickly jumped up onto my knee this time and was enjoying every minute. Towards the end my other cat Mia also decided she wanted to join in this time and also jumped up onto my knee. Despite getting on well together they have never sat together like this. She had shown some interest in each session getting out of her bed briefly but Dexter was the one who was the most receptive.

The other day a total stranger visited us. Dexter was upstairs on his bed. He usually stays there if visitors are here. After about 10 minutes he appeared looking relaxed and interested in our visitor. I picked Dexter up after a few minutes. He is usually tense but was relaxed and happily stood on my knee. Then he got off going to sit right next to the visitor and enjoyed having his head stroked. We were totally surprised by all of this. Then when the visitor stood up and walked towards  the kitchen, Dexter ran after him ! I truly feel Dexter has turned a huge corner and I am certain it is due to Sue’s reiki treatment.

For myself, I find the sessions very relaxing. I have had ME for nearly 20 yrs which I find has exacerbated especially over the past 5 or 6 years. I feel fairly tense a lot of the time more so since losing my mother 7 months ago. So it is good to have the tension lifted for a little while. I was also amazed when Sue detected very painful areas of my body as she hovered her hands during the treatment.

I admit that I have been sceptic in the past about this type of thing. But seeing what it has done for Dexter is proof that it really does work. A human can say it works for them whether it does or not but an animal doesn’t pretend or imagine.

I highly recommend Sue who is a lovely lady and refreshingly positive and passionate about  the wonderful work she does.

Janet

Sadly none of us live for ever

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When visiting the Hope Pastures Horse and Donkey Rescue centre, we have offered Reiki to a number of the donkeys, ponies and horses in their care. Some are more receptive to Reiki and it is natural to form an emotional connection with those who become regulars for a dose of healing energy. Best buddies, Sandy and Nosey were 2 such donkeys, typically welcoming Reiki when it was offered. 

We were informed of a deteriorating issue with Sandy’s feet and its impact on her movement, walking and general comfort. Veterinary and other supporting care were provided to help her optimally, including new shoes. Reiki was offered in-person and also sent in-between visits to her and to her best friend Nosey, perhaps more accurately described as her soulmate, who must have also been concerned about his beloved friend.

On seeing us outside their fence, they came to say hello and positioned their body towards ‘Reiki offering hands’ just where the comfort was sought, or stood from a distance clearly soaking up the energy heading their way. ‘Reiki did what Reiki does’ and they entered a calm, still, relaxed and content state. On recent visits we were acutely aware of Nosey approaching to take a little Reiki, followed by Sandy who pushed her hind quarters into the Reiki Practitioners hands, positioning herself for the healing energy to most benefit her rear legs. Nosey stood back and approached for additional Reiki afterwards but he appeared to be more concerned about ensuring that Sandy had the most, such a loving and caring gesture .. bless him! 

Sometimes the best love, care and vet treatment and supporting therapy isn’t enough. Sandy improved briefly but then deteriorated and the kindest action taken by the Hope Pastures was to say farewell to her forever.

On our first visit after her passing, Nosey came over a couple of times but mainly stood at a distance. He shared a feeling of really not knowing what to do with himself. So, in a few words of Animal Communication he was lovingly advised that the other donkeys were there for him, and it was ok to stand alone if that’s what he needed but to also let the others help him when he was ready. It was also mentally communicated to him that Sandy was out of pain now and would want him to be happy.

In the way that humans become attached to one another, animals do likewise. The emotional tie between bonded pairs of donkeys can be so strong that when one passes away, the other can tragically follow shortly afterwards as a result of a broken heart. All efforts must hence be made to find another close friend for the grieving donkey.  

Several weeks before Sandy’s passing a new donkey arrived at Hope Pastures. We had offered Reiki to him in his isolation quarters and although donkeys coats are not waterproof, he chose to stand in the rain taking Reiki from 3 of us, moving around when he wanted the energy in different areas but especially towards his rear end. This relates to his root chakra (for emotional security and basic needs) which is expected when in new surroundings and settling in.

He was asked if he wanted to go inside as he was getting wet but he seemed rather despondent and the returning feeling indicated that he felt wouldn’t make much difference. It came across as though he wanted more than anything to feel loved. He was told how much he was loved here and that he would be very well cared for. It was explained why he had been necessary for him to move from his prior home and to be in isolation, and that he’d soon be able to go into a field and see other donkeys and/or ponies. He appeared to enjoy having our company albeit from 10 feet+ 2 gates away and was added to our weekly distant healing list too.

Latest update: Nosey is coping better than expected and it is suspected that he has been spent a night under cover lying next to the new donkey – maybe they will comfort one another and form a new friendship. We hope so, for both of them and look forward to our next Reiki visit.

By Mike, Sue & Sue.

Reiki supports Tabitha’s recovery from Sudden Onset Blindness

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“Rescue cat Tabitha, who is about 15 years old, went for her annual vet check with no issue identified other than a little required dental work. The following morning, we had a shock when we saw her. Tabitha’s pupils were huge – filling the whole of her eyes – and she
stumbled on the doorstep. 

An immediate emergency vet visit resulted in a diagnosis of Sudden Onset Blindness with suspected detached retinas in both eyes. She was admitted to their hospital and treated for high blood pressure. I was worried that she would be blind for the rest of her life, but our own vet who saw her the next day was more hopeful for her sight than the emergency vet had been. She was treated with blood pressure tablets.

After about 36 hours after the initial eye problem was noticed, her pupils began to look more normal and she stopped bumping into furniture.

Further blood tests led to hyperthyroidism being diagnosed, probably linked to the eye problem and medication was prescribed. Our vet believed she had partially detached retinas, and/or a mini stroke may have occurred.

Her eyesight and behaviour soon appeared to return to normal and she resumed her happy disposition, enjoying life, particularly going out in the garden, snoozing and eating.

She has always appeared to enjoy Reiki when I have offered it to her previously and she seems very relaxed with it. So, very soon after she lost her sight I asked if Tabitha could receive weekly Reiki from Friends Of Baxter Animal Care Distant Reiki Group. I am very grateful to all who have sent Reiki to Tabitha. I believe it has helped in offering relaxation, comfort and reassurance to her and has supported the healing which has taken place.

I am so pleased that she has her sight back. Our vet says that her blood pressure is looking good now and that he is very happy with her.
She is a lucky cat”

Jenny

Distant Reiki supports horses, ponies and donkeys at Hope Pastures

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No matter what the type of animal, situation or location, Reiki is most well known for its relaxation properties but from years of experience, we know that it can do much more.

Reiki has recently been offered to a number of horses, ponies and donkeys at Hope Pastures. It a joy to practice this compassionate therapy and the added pleasure of receiving great feedback makes it especially worthwhile.

This therapy is often added as a support to other care or veterinary treatments and the cases below are no exception. The Hope Pastures staff, volunteers, vets, other care providers and new owners all do a wonderful job but it’s lovely to know that Reiki is also contributing to the improvement in the physical, emotional and mental well-being of these beautiful souls. Animals only take Reiki should they wish to do so, and we certainly feel the energy flow when it is offered.

Due to COVID-19, Reiki has been sent distantly by Friends Of Baxter Animal Care’s distant healing group in recent months and Hope Pastures’ senior Welfare Co-ordinator welcomed the opportunity for Reiki to be sent to seven equines in their care suffering from stress, fear, medical conditions or recovering from surgery.  For various reasons, Covid related and otherwise it was a few weeks before we managed to discuss the feedback and we were delighted to receive the updates below.

Coco was suffering from recurring hoof abscess, requiring him to be stabled and a minor operation for Sarcoids

UPDATE: “No more abscesses 😊. Coco is much better”.

Fly was very nervous and scared of being confined in small spaces

UPDATE: “Fly is absolutely fine now and happily going into a stable every day, he is a much calmer pony in all ways!”

Logan had left his Hope Pastures family for a new home and was described as ‘stressed out’, shaking his lips repetitively (a stereotypical behaviour).

UPDATE: “Logan is much less stressed and happier now. He’s in a field with other horses”.

Piper had been rescued recently rehomed from Hope Pastures. Having been through a lot of change this final move was suspected to add more short-term stress although in his best long-term interest.

UPDATE: “After initial Reiki, Piper was settling in but challenged a field mate, especially over hay, and received a kick that required Vet treatment, antibiotics and painkillers. Following further Reiki, he is now much better, he has settled in his home and he fits in the herd better too”.

Hercules arrived at Hope Pastures bursting with excitement. Acting this way all the time would be too much for other horses to cope with. Consequently, he was struggling to find a new home

UPDATE: “Hercules is more settled but he is just back from the hospital after an operation on his legs and needs to spend 3 weeks in his stable which will be hard for him as he is such an active pony. More Reiki would be lovely to help his rehabilitation”.

Freddie an ageing Shetland pony was struggling with his weight, stiff in his hindquarters and on medication for Cushing’s disease.

UPDATE: “Please can you continue to send Reiki to Freddie”.

With these positive updates came a request from Hope Pastures:

“Instead of those that are now better, we would love Reiki to be sent to 4 more ponies and horses with issues ranging from food aggression, fear of being restrained, malnourishment & lethargy and adaptation after being abandoned by prior owners. I’ll send you the details. I’m even thinking about learning Reiki myself”

For more information about Hope Pastures see https://www.hopepastures.org

By Friends Of Baxter Animal Care Distant Reiki Group

Reiki Supports Sammy’s Recovery

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Sammy is a sweet and gentle, elderly Labrador and after struggling to breathe he was taken to a veterinary hospital. Being in an unknown environment must have added to the distress caused by his condition and a late-night call was received in which Reiki was requested for him.

Reiki was sent straight away to support Sammy’s veterinary care and treatment. Energy flowed, slowly initially and then increasingly. His anxiety could be felt from hundreds of miles away but gladly it reduced and a sense of relaxation followed. Animal Communication was used briefly to explain where he was, what was happening and how it came to be that Reiki was being offered to him distantly.

In the morning Sammy’s owners fed back, delighted that he’d been picked up from the hospital. He was better than expected. Stents had been fitted. A smile all round .

However, two days later, another late-night call urgently requested more Reiki. Sammy had not reacted well to the cortisone and his owners were naturally worried and upset. Immediately Reiki was sent and the heat and tingling in my hands indicated the energy flow. After half an hour, intense tiredness suggested he would be asleep. Further Reiki was offered to Sammy for a little longer. Animals always take the lead and we allow them to take as much energy as they wish, if and how they wish.

The following morning Reiki was readily taken and energy flowed consistently. The energy feeling was less stressed … much more relaxed. Relaxation is the most common response to Reiki and a very positive one. When we or animals relax and sleep, our body in its best state for self-healing and tissue repair.

 Shortly afterwards Sammy’s owners provided an update: “Sammy asked to go outside at 3 am and did his business, drank, ate and was in a much better mood again. He’s just eaten again. He is MUCH better. 1000 thanks. We will no longer be giving him cortisone”

The veterinary check-up three days later also brought good news: “Everything is fine… completely fine 😊. Sammy is in a good mood again. Thank you for your great support”.

A further message, just two weeks after Sammy went into the hospital, brought the best news of all. “He is great again and can breathe normally for the first time in years. We are so happy!!

The Rehabilitation of Dave

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A major part of work in 2019 and 2020 became the voluntary offering of Reiki to benefit animals in rescue centres and sanctuaries – helping other charities to optimise their animal care and speed up rehoming. 

During the lockdown, we learned that a local centre, Prickly Edge Hedgehog Rescue was so busy taking in hedgehogs in need of care, that they sought some help in order that more could be rescued.

They were looking after 50 hedgehogs but little Dave really stood out. He’d sadly been attacked by a dog and needed time and care to give his wounds time to heal. David and Maria, two of our trustees, adapted their conservatory to be the ideal hedgehog habitat. They heated it to help Dave thrive initially. The temperature was then gradually lowered to prepare him for life outside when he was ready for rehabilitation to his natural environment.

David and Maria have done Reiki and Animal Reiki training through Friends Of Baxter Animal Care and have volunteered with us to offer Reiki to many animals in a variety of situations. They relished the opportunity to offer Dave Reiki to build up his strength and promote positive healing. He was believed to benefit from many a session of holistic complementary therapy from a little distance away.

Fast forward two months, not only had Dave reached his 800g weight goal for hibernation but he weighed in excess of 900g! Not wanting Dave to miss his creature comforts when he was released into their secure garden, he was treated to a choice of two purpose-built hedgehog igloos and a safe log pile close to the conservatory. These gave him a selection of venues where he could hibernate and somewhere that he could always come to feel safe after a wander around. His dedicated hedgehog garden was a generous 6x3m.

For a couple of weeks, food put out for him disappeared daily, suggesting regular visits, and CCTV was being considered to keep an eye on him and ensure that Dave remained fit and well until he chose to curl up and sleep for the winter.

Dave, the little wounded hedgehog, had been rehabilitated and returned to the outdoors – happy and healthy.

To learn more about Prickly Edge Hedgehog Rescue see (https://www.facebook.com/Prickly-Edge-Hedgehog-Rescue-474082656493203/)

Seeing is Believing For Electra and Her kittens

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Electra was a stressed mum of 5 young, fit, healthy, extremely active and playful kittens. She just wanted some rest but her babies were constantly jumping about, playing, play-biting her tail and seeking loving, as they were with each other. Her pupils were almost as big as her eyes and she looked exhausted.

We sat a few feet away with some gentle soothing music playing quietly and offered Reiki to all six. Mum started to relax and although the kittens carried on initially, they were clearly slowing down. After a few minutes one kitten jumped up onto their shared bed, another followed, the third lay down next to mum and the fourth moved into the adjacent compartment to lie down in peace. Within no time at all, the two on the bed were unable to keep their eyes open and the final kitten jumped up to join them.

Soon, they were all so relaxed that they lay content and asleep. We continued to let the Reiki flow for a little while. Silence pervaded and not just in this pen, but throughout the Kitten House. Three quarters of an hour later, when we took a peek they hadn’t moved.

Staff popping into the Kitten House described the effects of the Reiki as a miracle, unable to believe that these little livewires were fast asleep and mum too.

We understood that all 5 kittens and mum were off to a foster home that afternoon, where the kittens could have more space to grow and develop. This should also enable mum to find a quiet place for her to have restful naps. This sleep should have relaxed them nicely to also help with their adaptation into their new environment but most importantly it gave mum the desperate rest she had been craving.

This is just one of many ways in which Reiki can benefit animals.

To adopt a cat, see https://yorkshirecatrescue.org

Sue Malcolm and Julie Ackroyd

Reiki Helps Munroe’s Anxiety

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“During the practice of
Reiki when a strong and
compassionate
connection exists
between the Practitioner
and an animal, it is
possible for animals to
share their feelings and
for us to experience a
two-way mental
communication”

Munroe had come from a home with a very large number
of cats, so many cats in fact that the owner was sadly
unable to give them the care and attention they required.
She came into Yorkshire Cat Rescue very frightened and
anxious and Reiki was requested for her.

Munroe lay in her ‘safe place’, turning around and moving towards the Reiki on offer and disappearing out of sight again after enough Reiki had been received for her first session. The following week, she was less receptive and didn’t move from her bed. This could have been influenced by the two cats in the next pen just, brought in together, who took Reiki with gusto even when it was not being offered directly to them. They clearly wanted attention and perhaps Munroe may also have not been in the mood for some therapy that day.

On my third visit, although not moving from her bed and looking tense throughout, Munroe choose to draw a greater quantity of Reiki energy than previously. However, it was the fourth session where the breakthrough occurred.

After Munroe had shown her openness to healing, Reiki was offered from inside her pen and at a closer distance, just three feet away from her.  Using animal communication, she was informed that that she was safe, and that Reiki was being offered to help her be more settled and comfortable with people she didn’t know so that she could be found a new home, explaining what that meant.

Reiki was directed to help with her past too and she was advised that it was safe to close her eyes if she wanted; the existing distance from her would be maintained. Straight away she closed her eyes and she completely relaxed with her body open and front legs out-stretched. The staff commented upon not having seen her relax like this before. It felt wonderful. She had turned a corner and a week later someone came to re-home her.

 

How Reiki Helped Gloria

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During the practice of Reiki pain felt by the person or animal being treated can often be physically felt by the practitioner enabling the Reiki energy to be concentrated in the specific area(s) where it is most needed.

When Gloria came into the Yorkshire Cat Rescue a vet’s visit
confirmed the need for surgery as mummified kittens were found in her abdomen. She must have been in much discomfort and emotionally affected too, hence it was suggested that she may benefit from Reiki. Reiki was offered to Gloria as she lay in her enclosed bed space where cats are not to be disturbed by any staff or volunteers. Within a few minutes she emerged and lay on a knitted blanket with her abdomen facing outwards.

She soon dozed off giving out a feeling that she was content – and safe – the latter being very important to her. After an extremely relaxed half hour she had received as much Reiki as she wanted and returned to her ‘safe place’. I fed back to the manager that whilst offering
Reiki to Gloria a right lower abdomen pain had been felt within me.

The following day we learned that Gloria was sick. The vet diagnosed an infection where the surgery had taken place in her right lower abdominal area – where I had felt discomfort – and she was treated accordingly. A week after her first Reiki session, Gloria was lying in a green covered dome. After circling, and clawing at the blanket inside she curled up.

She actively chose to take Reiki energy when offered and she purred, yet she wasn’t totally relaxed. Gloria held her head up. She shared a feeling that she loved the Reiki but was frightened of being sick again.

It was explained using animal communication that the sickness
occurred to help her body rid itself of the infection which had been treated by the vet, so it was ok, she could relax. Immediately she snuggled her head in the blanket, purred and cosily fell asleep.

Reiki was sent to Gloria the following week as she was at the vets for some dental treatment however the week afterwards when Reiki was offered to her she gave the impression that she was relaxed and happy and didn’t really need it any more. Our work with her was done. Staff commented on how much she had changed since coming in to the Rescue. She was now a much happier, friendly cat. Within a further week she had been chosen for adoption and was in her new home for Christmas, happy, well, and a different cat to the one she had been just weeks earlier.

Reiki Helps with Butler’s Confidence

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“6 month old Butler joined a home of related shihtzus at 14 weeks of age. He settled well although he was quiet and didn’t play much, appearing to lack enthusiasm. He soon became clingy to me and needed the reassurance of one of the other dogs to go for a walk, otherwise refusing to move. After 4 reiki treatments he was more animated and playful; and whilst not overly enthusiastic about going out by himself he is more confident”
Fiona