by Karen K. Harrison, ICRT Senior Reiki Master

Going on vacation can be exciting, but leaving a beloved dog, cat, or other animal behind isn’t always easy. Even when you know your fur baby is in good hands, you may find yourself wondering: Are they okay? Do they miss me? Are they stressed because I’m gone?

Our animals can also notice when something is different. The suitcases come out, routines change, and suddenly their favorite person isn’t there.

Reiki offers a beautiful way to support both you and your animal while you are apart. Whether your fur baby stays at home with a caregiver, goes to someone else’s home, or stays at a boarding facility, you can use Reiki to surround them with loving, peaceful energy and maintain your connection while you travel.

Give Reiki to Your Home Before You Leave

If your animal will be staying at home, give Reiki to your house before you leave. You can walk through the rooms where your animal spends the most time, allowing Reiki to fill the space with peaceful, loving energy.

Your home already carries your energy, and intentionally giving Reiki to the space can make it feel even more nurturing while you are away.

You might use an intention such as:

May this home be filled with peace, love, comfort, safety, and Reiki while I am away.

You can also give Reiki to your animal’s favorite sleeping spots, blankets, beds, toys, scratching posts, or other special places. These familiar objects already bring comfort, and Reiki can add another layer of loving energy.

Give Reiki to Food and Water

Before you leave, give Reiki to your animal’s food and water. If you portion meals ahead of time, you can give Reiki to the containers or bags of food.

You can also ask the caregiver to place the food or water bowl in a particular spot that you have already given Reiki to. Keep it simple. Your caregiver doesn’t need to know Reiki for your animal to benefit from it.

Send Reiki While You Are Away

Set aside 5 to 15 minutes each day to connect with your animal and send Reiki.

You don’t need to worry about whether you are doing it at exactly the right time. Simply picture your fur baby, connect with Reiki, and allow the energy to flow.

Rather than deciding what your animal needs, let Reiki guide the session. Your intention can be as simple as:

I send Reiki to support you for your highest good. May you feel peaceful, safe, loved, and connected.

This daily practice can also help you. Instead of spending your vacation worrying about your animal, you can turn that worry into a loving Reiki connection.

Connect by Video

If your animal enjoys hearing or seeing you, ask the caregiver to connect you through FaceTime or another video app.

Talk to your fur baby in your normal voice and let them see and hear you. You can send Reiki at the same time.

However, pay attention to your animal’s response. Some animals may find a video call comforting, while others may seem confused or become more anxious when they hear you but can’t find you. Let your animal show you whether this is helpful.

Give Reiki to the Caregiver

Your fur baby’s well-being is connected to the person caring for them. Before your trip, you can send Reiki to the relationship between your animal and the caregiver.

You might send Reiki with the intention that communication, trust, patience, and understanding flow easily between them.

If your caregiver is open to receiving Reiki personally, you can send Reiki to them as well. A relaxed caregiver can help create a relaxed environment for your animal.

Send Reiki to Their Daily Routine

Animals often find comfort in predictability. You can send Reiki ahead to your animal’s walks, meals, bedtime, medication times, playtime, or other parts of their normal routine.

If your animal is staying somewhere unfamiliar, you might also send Reiki to the boarding facility or temporary home, asking Reiki to support your animal in adjusting to the new surroundings.

Create a Reiki Connection Before You Go

Spend a little extra time with Reiki on your fur baby before your trip. Sit quietly together, give Reiki, and imagine a beautiful connection of Reiki between you.

Rather than focusing on sadness about leaving, focus on love, safety, and the knowledge that your connection continues regardless of physical distance.

You might tell your animal:

I love you. You are safe and cared for. I will be back.

Then trust the Reiki and your animal.

Remember to Give Reiki to Yourself

Sometimes we are the ones who need Reiki the most!

If you notice yourself worrying about your fur baby while you are traveling, give yourself Reiki. Place your hands on your heart, breathe, and allow Reiki to help you return to the present moment.

You can love your animal deeply and still enjoy your trip.

Send Reiki Ahead to Your Reunion

As your trip comes to an end, send Reiki ahead to your return home. Some animals become very excited when their people return, while others may need a little time to settle back into their familiar routine.

Send Reiki to your reunion and the transition back to your normal life together.

And then enjoy that wonderful moment when you walk through the door and see your fur baby again!

Deepen Your Connection Through ICRT Animal Reiki

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback I hear from people who take ICRT Animal Reiki is that the class creates a deeper bond and connection with their animals.

Animal Reiki gives you additional tools and special energy for working with your own animals and for helping other animals with Reiki. You’ll learn ways to connect with animals energetically, offer Reiki in a way that honors their unique needs, and deepen the loving relationship you already share.

My next ICRT Animal Reiki class is September 11–12.

If you love animals and Reiki, I would love to have you join us.

Learn more and register for ICRT Animal Reiki

Whether you are across the room or across the world, Reiki reminds us that love and connection are not limited by distance.