Ann is a Reiki Master Practitioner and Animal Reiki Practitioner registered with the Canadian Reiki Association and proudly affiliated with California-based Animal Reiki Source and SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association). She also volunteers her services with Kamloops Ruff Start Rescue. She has been a passionate animal lover and learnaholic her whole life, completing courses in equine first aid, equine massage therapy, reflexology, essential oils training, animal communication courses, barefoot farriery, equine nutrition, equine lameness, three levels of Reiki (people/animals), Fear Free Shelter training, plus other courses over the years.
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It is simple, natural and safe. When people or animals enter that wonderful state of profound relaxation (the parasympathetic response), the immune system is boosted, digestion improves, and there is better assimilation of nutrients in the body. Reiki is also wonderful support for caregivers who run the risk of compassion fatigue. Reiki can promote healing and reduce pain in sick or injured people and animals, or those recovering from surgery. Reiki is also effective in helping abused animals heal from past mental/physical trauma reducing behaviour problems and aggression. It’s in the parasympathetic state that all healing takes place on multiple levels.
When Ann first began practising Animal Reiki, the accepted protocol was the ‘hands-on‘ method similar to how Reiki is administered to people; that is, the practitioner would place her/his hands lightly on various places of the animal’s body usually beginning around the head and working their way back towards the tail.
After being introduced to Kathleen Prasad’s Let Animals Lead® method of Animal Reiki seven years ago (where animals are allowed to choose or decline the physical contact and to move freely in and out of the Reiki healing space as they are comfortable), her practice was transformed, and she continues to be inspired by the results with the animals she sees. She welcomes the opportunity to work with you and your horses or dogs, and can be reached at ann.vandrick@gmail.com or (604) 818-8770.