When Reiki Flows Between Two Hearts: Supporting Animals and Their Guardians in Illness and Transition

In my Reiki practice, there’s rarely one recipient. Whenever a beloved animal is facing illness or nearing transition, their guardian is moving through something just as tender. I don’t see them as separate. The energy between them—the bond, the emotion, the quiet love—is often where Reiki flows most deeply.

This way of holding space didn’t come from a manual. It came from life.

Over the years, I’ve shared my home with many rescued cats and a few dogs, most of whom entered my care in fragile states—sick, surrendered, or on the edge of something final. Reiki became how I supported them through sickness and transition, and how I processed my grief after they were gone. Over time, this private, intimate practice began extending outward, toward others who found themselves walking this same path.

A Practice Rooted in Relationship

Most of the sessions I offer are distant Reiki. I begin by grounding myself, then connect through the animal’s name, a photo, and the guardian’s reflections. The energy field always reveals something—sometimes stillness, sometimes intensity.

Animals carry a calm knowing. Their vibration is often open and accepting, even when their body is weak. Humans, by contrast, may carry layers—grief, uncertainty, urgency, and the longing to know what will happen next. Holding both frequencies at once takes presence, not fixing, not interpreting—just staying aware and steady enough for Reiki to move.

Over time, I’ve come to understand that what truly heals is respect. Respect for the animal’s autonomy. Respect for the guardian’s heart. And the wisdom to stay neutral, even while offering empathy.

Practical Guidance from a Lived Practice

Every session opens with permission. I speak the animal’s name, connect through their image, and offer Reiki without expectation. I listen for how the energy responds—whether it flows, softens, or waits. This small ritual honors free will and sets the tone for what follows.

Animals and guardians rarely vibrate the same way. Animals often meet the moment with grace. Guardians may carry fear or a deep desire for clarity. I stay aware of both without merging into either. Reiki moves most clearly when both beings are allowed their experience without being rushed or solved.

Sometimes the energy moves not directly to the animal or the guardian, but to the shared space between them. I often visualize a gentle stream of Reiki between their hearts. This helps soften attachment, dissolve fear, and bring peace to the relationship, especially when the time ahead is uncertain.

• Cho Ku Rei to anchor and stabilize the space
• Sei He Ki to ease emotional weight, especially when the guardian’s worry becomes heavy
• Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen to carry the energy across time and space—whether to help prepare the field for transition, or to hold grief gently after a loss

I use the symbols as needed, not out of habit but as a response to what’s unfolding.

Sometimes, I feel that an animal is preparing to let go. I hold this quietly. I never offer declarations. Reiki supports the soul’s choice, and each being uses the energy as they are ready. Presence, not certainty, is what heals.

After each session, I write a gentle reflection. It includes where the energy moved, what felt present, and soft reminders for the guardian, like resting, offering stillness, or simply sitting with their animal in peace. This document becomes part of the healing. Many guardians read it again in the days ahead, especially during transition or remembrance.

Depending on what emerges, I sometimes continue offering distant Reiki over several days—usually 7, 14, or 21 days. This extension is subtle and intuitive, guided by what the being needs. Whether to ease emotional integration, support physical comfort, or continue holding the space quietly, it remains part of the same field of care.

Supporting the Guardian with Soft Grounding

The guardian is never “secondary” in the session. Their presence, their love, their ache—all of it matters. Reiki flows to them too, often in ways they don’t realize at first.

• Before the Session: I check in gently: How are you feeling today? Speaking allows tension to soften.
• During the Session: I include their emotional field in my intention, especially if their energy feels heavy or conflicted.
• After the Session: I offer grounding reflections. Sometimes, just knowing that Reiki moved with peace is enough.
• In the Days That Follow: If the animal has passed, Reiki becomes a way to hold the guardian’s grief with care. It offers continuity, even when physical presence has ended.

Animals teach us how to be. Guardians teach us how to love through uncertainty. Between them, there is a sacred bond that asks for tenderness, and a practitioner who can hold both with steadiness and grace.

Reiki is quiet. It doesn’t fix or promise. It flows into what is, and softens what aches. When we offer it from a place of neutrality, deep respect, and listening, it becomes more than a technique. It becomes a way to accompany life—and all that it carries—with love.

Article by PJ Valenciano

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PJ Valenciano—She/Her
Living as a digital nomad in the countryside, surrounded by nature, has allowed PJ to truly appreciate the beauty and simplicity of life.
While she primarily works as a digital marketing professional from the Philippines, she is also a Mental Health Advocate and a Reiki Master.
PJ is passionate about weaving creativity, purpose, and growth into every project. She has collaborated with diverse organizations and individuals across industries, crafting authentic stories and advocating for a community that emanates kindness, compassion, and support for all life forms.
She finds joy in fostering genuine connections and believes that each interaction is an opportunity to learn from one another and create meaningful impact. While her unconventional background may not fit traditional job descriptions, she is intentionally living a life aligned with her soul’s purpose.
Contact: www.linkedin.com/in/pj-valenciano