A RAPHOE-based dog groomer says she has found her calling providing an alternative therapy, reiki, to her four-legged clients.
Olive McCrabb has always had a way with animals but it was not until she rehomed rescue dog Simone and tried reiki on the struggling animal that she realised her true potential.
Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through which a “universal energy” is said to be transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or physical healing. The non-invasive treatment has become very popular with humans but it can also be hugely beneficial for animals.
“After completing a reiki course I thought, I love animals and I have always had a way with animals. I was doing dog grooming and I decided I want to try this on dogs,” said Olive.
“When I did my first session I was very emotional.”
The benefits of reiki for dogs includes the easing of pain. It can boost their immune system and can soothe and calm a dog that has been through a traumatic experience.
Just like if she was working on a human Olive focuses on the energy points in the body or ‘chakras’ which can become blocked. She uses a pendent to go through the different chakras to see if there is a problem with any area of the body. The pendent will circle round and round if everything is ok but does not move if there is an issue.
Olive describes her Bubbles & Barks Reiki Dog Grooming Spa as a ‘home from home’ where the is ‘no negativity’. There are no cages, all dogs get beds and there is food and water laid out as well as incense burning and music playing. After the treatment dogs often become very sleepy and drink lots of water which detoxes them. Since becoming a reiki master Olive has worked with dogs with joint pain, aggression, fear and even cancer that have all been soothed by her treatment. She says she can also communicate with dogs and has been able to pass messages between owners and their pets through her telepathic gifts.
“There was a dog in with cancer, she came in every week for comfort and to ease the pain. The last time it was very emotional. She told me to tell the owner that the time is near. She would tell her owner through her eyes when it was the right time. Two days later the owner called and said whatever way the dog looked into her eyes it told her the time had come.
“I always had a connection with animals but since I did the reiki course it has opened a lot of channels. Dogs are family members now and every one of them has an individual little character.
“I have seen so many benefits from reiki, it’s mad, you have to see it to believe it.”
Olive’s rescue dog Simone
Olive started reiki for her own self healing but when she got rescue dog Simone she realised the benefits for animals. Simone had been living in terrible conditions and her chakras were very blocked up when the family rehomed her.
“She was my inspiration. From doing reiki on her I realised this is my goal in life. I was pulled in the direction of what I’m supposed to do.
“It is something that has fallen into place. I have found the best job.”
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