How an animal communication session works

small white dog on blue and white chair
(Photo by Dominic Buccilli from Pexels)

As an animal communicator, I help animals of all species and their people solve problems and improve relationships. But the animals don’t come to my office, sit on a sofa, and tell me what’s bothering them. They can talk to me from their own homes — no Zoom, WiFi, or appointments needed.

That’s possible because communicating with animals uses that “sixth sense” all humans and animals have. It’s how you know your kid is either in trouble or causing trouble. It’s how your dog knows you’re on the way home. It’s that niggling feeling that, despite logical evidence to the contrary, something’s right or not right. (How often has that proved to be spot-on?)

Except for rounds at nonprofit barns or rescues, when I might be communicating and sharing meditation with many animals, most of my animal communication sessions are remote. I then email the human a summary.  

Here’s more about the process.

The animal, the question, and a prayer

When I begin an animal communication session in my northeast Indiana office, I have the animal’s name, species, age, gender, and usually a photo. The animal himself can be anywhere. I also have one or two questions or concerns the animal’s person wants to address.

But first, I say a brief prayer asking God to help me listen effectively, and relay with accuracy, fairness, and kindness what the animal needs her person to know. I ask St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment, to be with us as well.

Then I hold an image of the animal in my mind and gently tune into her energy. Once the animal responds — I generally get a sense of a head raised or ears at attention — I silently introduce or identify myself and ask permission to communicate with her. I say her person has asked me to talk with her about (whatever the issue is) and help if we can.

I’ve never had an animal refuse to communicate, but I have had a few “uh-oh, I’m in trouble, aren’t I?” responses. I assure them this isn’t about being in trouble. It’s about listening and finding a way forward.

I might ask: “So it sounds like you’ve been peeing outside the litter box. Can you tell me more about that?” Or: “You’ve been seeing some things being packed up around the house and your people have been pretty tense lately. (Your person) wants me to tell you more about what’s happening. We also want to know how you’re feeling about it and find out what you need right now.”

Being heard means everything

Then comes the most important part of all: listening with a clear mind and an open heart. Sometimes what the animal has to say will come in words, but more often I get images and emotions. I might get an image of the dog or cat moving away from an angry man inside a house. Or I might see a young girl grooming the horse and sense the horse feeling very relaxed and loved. I take notes in longhand.

I relay anything the person wants me to tell the animal and ask what the animal needs. Almost always, some action steps the person can take emerge. It could be a different location for his litter box or the need for more play time. It may be a visit with a particular person or another animal as her life is drawing to a close. In any case, I assure the animal that I will do my best to help, that his human loves and appreciates him very much, and that he is infinitely loved and cared for by God.

I thank the animal for communicating with me. Then I end the conversation pretty much the same way I’d end a phone call — I say goodbye and disconnect. Then I write up my findings and email them to the animal’s person — always with encouragement to take what resonates and leave the rest. 

If you have questions or would like to arrange a session for your animal friend, please feel free to contact me.

Get the most from your animal communication session

Your animal companion, like my Dusty here, is ready to offer up her opinions. You are ready to arrange an animal communication session. How do you get the most from it in order to help your animal and build a better relationship?

Based on my experience as an animal communicator, here are a few tips:

Choose a communicator who’s right for you.

There’s no substitute for a personal referral when you’re looking to hire an animal communicator. However, not everyone is able to get that. Even if you do have a name from a trusted friend, spend some time looking at their website and social media. Look for whether the practitioner subscribes to or mentions a code of ethics. Do you feel more confident and hopeful, or more anxious? Trust your research, but also trust your gut.

Read the instructions.

Just about any practitioner will have a form to fill out or information you need to include to arrange a session. You may be asked to acknowledge your understanding of the session; for example, that it is not a substitute for veterinary care. We all struggle with information overload. However, it saves your time and the animal communicator’s time if you read all of this and understand how the process works before reaching out.

Decide what’s most important.

What do you most want to find out from your animal during this communication session? If you have several questions, can you narrow it down to, say, two? Animals have limited attention spans just like we do.

Be ready to hear and follow through in good faith.

You probably already are; otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far. Animals may bring up concerns or express needs or preferences. They may tell me something you’re doing isn’t working well for them and ask if you can try another method. We owe it to our fellow beings of whatever species to listen to one another and give change (such as more play time, a cleaner litter box or being fed separately from the other dog) a chance.

Four things to know before hiring an animal communicator

curious tortoiseshell cat
Whether you have a mischievous kitten, an anxious dog, or a sad horse, you’ll likely benefit from working with a well-chosen animal communicator. (Image by Doris Metternich from Pixabay)

Most people who contact me for an animal communication session are trying to solve a problem — a seemingly intractable behavior issue, adjustment to change, or painful end-of-life concerns. I’m sure many of them never thought they’d consult an animal communicator.

It’s hard to make decisions when you’re upset, dealing with a million other things, or both … so here are a few points to remember as you seek the right animal communicator for you and your pet.

1. You’re already on the right track.

Considering a discipline based on listening to the animal and his or her needs means you are willing to listen and learn. Maybe animal communication is a new concept, but you love your animal. You’re willing to at least think “outside the box” in order to help.

Even if you decide working with an animal communicator is not the right move at this time, you’ll be closer to finding what will help. So stop, take a breath, and give yourself credit for this alone. 

2. Trust your research AND your gut.

Referrals from people and businesses you trust are time-honored for a reason. You can also contact local metaphysical shops. Some, like Catalpa Tree Shops here in northeast Indiana, maintain directories of healing arts practitioners. A worldwide directory of animal communicators, with paid listings and ads, is on author/teacher Penelope Smith’s Animal Talk website. (I am not currently listed here, as I did not find it especially helpful before, but you never know.)

Whether you get an animal communicator’s name from a friend, directory, or random Google search, spend some time on his or her website and/or social media pages. Pay attention to how you feel as you read. Are you calmer, or more anxious? Clearer or more confused? Does the person follow the Code of Ethics for Interspecies Telepathic Communicators, or any other code of ethics or guiding principles?

3. No one is 100 percent accurate.

I am human and can’t do everything perfectly. With God’s guidance and my own self-care, I can be present, clear, and helpful to the animal and his or her family. Any animal communicator claiming 100 percent accuracy is best avoided.

4. You’ll learn something.

If you’ve chosen a communicator with whom you feel comfortable, chances are very good that you’ll find a valuable takeaway. It could be information you can act on immediately, such as moving the litter box to a quieter place or telling your horse where you’re going as you’re loading. It could be insight into how your animal views her place in your household, or his feelings and needs as his life on earth is drawing to a close.

Animals see our gifts and struggles in a way that even the humans closest to us cannot, so you may even learn something about yourself. Nothing is ever lost by listening.