1) What is your animal Reiki experience?
Learning the types of animals the Reiki practitioner works with and how long they have been practicing with animals specifically can give you a clear idea about the type of animals they enjoy working with as well as their comfort level with different animal healing scenarios. Sometimes they have been working with Reiki for a long time, or have quite a diverse experience, and in this case it can help to ask about their most recent treatments or classes. You want to find a practitioner or teacher that is a good fit for your own interests/needs.
2) Do you have a personal meditation practice?
Although this question is a bit personal, since the foundation of our work as animal practitioners and teachers is our own meditation practice, it is an important one! And if he doesn’t understand the importance of the question and how it is related to his work with animals, this will also tell you where he is coming from.
3) What is your philosophy about hands-on Reiki treatment for animals?
This question will reveal two important things about your potential practitioner/teacher. One: does the animal lead the way, or does the person? Two: does the person rely on physical touch to indicate effectiveness of treatment? Always look for an animal practitioner or teacher that trusts the animal to guide what is happening and who doesn’t force hands-on contact.
4) Can you share a favorite animal Reiki experience?
Asking your potential practitioner or teacher to share a favorite Reiki story is a way to see if your sensibilities align. If she brings up animals or situations you don’t identify with, that is a good indication that it might not be the best match.
5) What is the goal of the treatment or class?
Before you hire a practitioner, it’s good to understand what her goal is for the session. If she is planning on “beaming” the energy directly at the animal, or if she seems to be coming into the treatment with a strong agenda, rather than being open and allowing the animal to lead, there could be problems.
Before you sign up for a class, it’s good to know the teacher’s vision for what students should take away. If she says, for example, “I’m going to give you the power to heal your animal,” or “Well I haven’t really worked with animals, but it’s all the same, right?” it might be a good indication to walk the other way. You want a teacher who is experienced, and also humble.
6) Do you have any written material about the treatment or class I can read?
There are probably 100 different philosophies on Reiki treatments and classes so reading the material created by the potential practitioner and teacher is a great way to see who they are and how they work.
7) Do you offer any follow-up support after the treatment or class?
It’s good to know up front if you can expect any contact with your practitioner after the treatment, just in case you have any questions. And if so, how does he prefer to be contacted. For a potential teacher, be sure to ask if he is available for continuing support after classes. Even if you don’t have any questions up front, they will definitely appear as you start practicing, and you want to make sure you will be supported!
8) Do you have references or testimonials?
A potential practitioner or teacher should readily volunteer these, as they will offer you important insight into the experiences others have had.
Learn more about Reiki for animals in Kathleen’s books:
Kathleen Prasad
