My First Reiki Client

My First Reiki Client Was a Dog

A lovely older fellow with graying whiskers and a shy demeanor. His caregiver was concerned as he had become lethargic and had lost interest in eating for the past couple of days.

Interestingly, my session with him coincided with a personal appointment I had scheduled months before—an intense past life journey of my own. It was a new type of healing session that I was eager to explore, and the experience was powerful.

Still, I didn’t want to reschedule Mister Whiskers (as I’ll call him for privacy’s sake), so I arrived as planned.

A Surprising First Encounter

I had never met Mister Whiskers before. As is customary when introducing myself to a new Reiki client, I sat down in a chair to observe. It was a beautiful December morning in Florida, and the warm air made being outside feel like a luxury.

Mister Whiskers checked me out briefly, then, to my surprise, came over, lay down, and rested his head on my feet. I was deeply moved. His caregiver, clearly shocked, exclaimed that she had never seen him do that before.

Still feeling a bit drained from my own session, I smiled and told her, “He’s comforting me.”

I had come to work on him, but he had so kindly offered his spirit to support me first. It was a touching exchange—one that set the tone for the rest of our time together.

Mister Whiskers’ primary role in life was to care for his caregiver and meet her emotional needs. But on this day, it was his turn to receive.

The Reiki Session

After a few moments, he got up, walked down the hallway, and, as if guided by intuition, jumped onto the bed—ready to begin.

I could feel that he was exhausted, in need of an energetic recharge. As I prepared to work, something unexpected happened. My childhood dog, Shamrock, whom I hadn’t thought of in nearly 50 years, suddenly came through. He let me know he would be assisting in the session.

What a gift. I knew then that this would be a powerful experience for Mister Whiskers.

Animals often don’t require long Reiki sessions, and he was no exception. He allowed me to lay my hands on him as it is not necessary, and I can work hands-off unless both the animal and their caregiver give permission. After about 20 minutes, he huffed—a clear signal that he was done.

Then, as if on cue, he got up and walked over to his food bowl, eating ravenously. His caregiver was overjoyed, and for me, it was a beautiful validation of the healing energy we had shared.

Healing the Bond Between Them

Because Mister Whiskers and his caregiver were so energetically intertwined, I also worked on her. True balance and harmony require both beings in a relationship to be aligned.

She later reported that he had regained his appetite and had a newfound pep in his step during their daily walks. I continued to see him weekly for about six weeks, eventually tapering down to once a month while always sending him healing energy in my prayers.

A Privilege to Serve

Working with Mister Whiskers was a profound reminder of the deep, unspoken connections we share with our animals. Reiki is not just about giving—it is an exchange, a sacred dance of energy and trust.

What a privilege it was to assist this beautiful family on their journey of healing.