Background
As holistic therapies and a desire for more natural approaches to healthcare grow, Reiki is increasingly being offered to animals as well as people. Animals are often very receptive, and this technique can be very effective for relaxation and have many other potential benefits.
Starting out as a Reiki for Animals Practitioner
It is a privilege to offer Reiki to Animals but carries a great responsibility as they are unable to give verbal consent. TRA’s information sheet ‘Starting out as a Reiki for Animals Practitioner’, will give you the information you need to start offering Reiki to Animals at a personal level.
For anyone wishing to offer Reiki to animals other than their own, family and friend’s animals that they know well, we would recommend additional Reiki for Animals (RfA) training.
The publication Understanding Animals: A working Guide for Reiki Practitioners has been produced by the Reiki Council to support practitioners wishing to offer Reiki to Animals professionally.
Reiki for animals and the law
Reiki is not a replacement for veterinary treatment, medication or other care and it can support veterinary care and other animal care or can be used, where appropriate, alone. Reiki for Animals practitioners like other animal care Practitioners must abide by the requirements of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), It is illegal to offer any diagnosis.
Animals with an undiagnosed medical condition should be seen by a vet prior to a Reiki session unless the Reiki is being given in an emergency situation whilst waiting for a vet to arrive, or on route to a vet.
Training Standards for Offering Reiki to Animals
There are National Occupational Standards for offering Reiki for Animals, developed through collaboration between the Reiki Council, RCVS and LANTRA.
Reiki Council member organisations are now offering professional recognition
It is important to ensure practitioners working with animals meet the standards that other animal professionals adhere to for credibility within the animal care industry and to reinforce the image of Reiki to the wider public.
TRA provides a recognition service for Reiki for Animals public practitioners. This provides evidence of your Reiki learnings and practice, knowledge and experience in relation to working with and understanding animals, and competence in Reiki delivery to benefit different animals in various situations.
The current cost for this is £75 to the Evaluator plus an admin fee of £45.
If you are interested in applying for recognition, please contact TRA Reiki for Animals (RfA) liaison officer at animalreiki@reikiassociation.net. You may find it useful to check our faq’s for more information.
Application for Reiki for Animals Practitioner recognition
This application process has been created to:
- Help applicants be fully prepared to conduct Reiki sessions with animals competently in a safe, legal and completely ethical manner
- Enable Reiki organisations to professionally recognise proficient practitioners
- Raise standards of RfA training and practice
- Create a solid platform from which to generate awareness of RfA as a profession in its own right, and optimally publicise professionally recognised practitioners and approved training courses.
Pre-requisites to application:
- Reiki level I and II completed
- Minimum 9 months practice since Reiki I
- Reiki Attunements/Initiations/Reiju must have been received in-person
- RfA training to public practitioner level OR if applying based on experience, a minimum of 100 hours offering Reiki to animals (with at least 75% being in-person)
- RfA training (when undertaken) to have included in-person practical sessions for your teacher to teach/observe/advise on your Reiki with animals
- A valid insurance policy which covers you for humans and animals
Reiki for Animals
The Reiki Council is currently working on accrediting courses that provide ALL the necessary information and training to meet Reiki Practitioner for Animals standards. Once courses have been accredited details will be available in the TRA directory and on the Reiki Council website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check if your query can be resolved by looking at the answers below before contacting us……..Thank you.
Show/Hide FAQ
Q: Why have new standards and recognition for RfA been developed?
A: We recognise the growth within RfA across the sector – vets, animal health practitioners, animal owners and care givers. It has become apparent that many Reiki Practitioners are already working with animals; we receive many requests for recommended good quality courses. Online courses are increasing in popularity, but some have limited content and a lack of in-person practical work.
Practitioners require a good understanding of animals. The Reiki Council has established basic standards for training. This is a profession in its own right and not just an add-on to Reiki. All Reiki Council member organisations agree that a common set of standards is the best way to optimise the credibility and professionalism of RfA.
Q: What is the basis for recognising Reiki for Animals Practitioners?
A: RfA will offer recognition at public and professional level Three NOS specific to RfA have been developed in conjunction with LANTRA* and will form the basis of our requirements for Professional Reiki for Animals Practitioner recognition.
Initially we are launching Practitioner level, but the higher NOS level to follow.
National Occupational standards for Reiki with animals:
* Lantra has worked with the Agricultural, Environmental and Animal Care sector for over 50 years, initially as a National Training Organisation and now a Sector body. It has worked with employers, trade bodies, professional organisations, regulatory organisations, industry experts, voluntary organisations, trade unions and other partners throughout the UK to develop and review National Occupational Standards (NOS), qualifications and apprenticeships for occupations at all levels.
Q: I wish to be recognised for RfA at Professional Practice level, do I need to apply at Practitioner level and upgrade when the NOS level is launched?
A: You can wait until we launch level 3/NOS recognition or apply now for Practitioner recognition and upgrade when the NOS is launched. By applying now, you can start to gain professional credibility and raise awareness.
Q: What is the benefit of being professionally recognised by TRA as a Reiki for Animals Practitioner?
A: – public credibility- a certificate from a professional UK Reiki organisation.
Q: How do I apply to be recognised as a Reiki for Animals Practitioner?
A: You will need to complete an application form and send it with required evidence to the TRA verification officer.
Q: What does the Reiki for Animals Practitioner recognition cost?
A: The application for recognition is £75 plus an admin cost of £45. This covers the admin costs and the evaluation of your application with possible discussion and follow up.
Q: How long does the process take once I submit my application?
A: You should receive an initial reply within 7-10 working days. The length of the process will depend on specific circumstances, and the expertise demonstrated in your application.
Q: How do I know if my existing training/ experience qualifies me for RfA recognition?
A: Please look at the Prerequisites and the application checklist above. If you can draw on good quality Reiki training, other learning and experience, you are likely to qualify.
Q: How do I further my training for recognition if my training didn’t include topics such as Understanding Animals, related legislation, and health & safety requirements?
A: The Reiki Council publication: Understanding Animals: A working guide for Reiki Practitioners, covers these topics and is recommended if you have these gaps in your training. You may need to read this more than once to absorb the information.
Q: I have been giving Reiki to animals for many years and have a wealth of expertise, do I have to pay for training that I don’t feel I need?
A: Recognition of Reiki for Animals Practitioners is intended to ensure that the Practitioners meet a set of common standards, requiring them to be knowledgeable, competent and proficient in relation to animals and the delivery of safe, effective Reiki practice. Practitioners who have not undergone formal RfA training but who have a minimum of 100 hours of Reiki experience with a variety of animals, in numerous and variable situations, meet the requirements to apply.
Q: Do I need additional Attunement/Initiation/Reijus to become a Reiki for Animals Practitioner?
A: All you need to have is Reiki level II to be a RfA Practitioner, you will have had all the Reiki Attunement/Initiation/ Reijus you need to be able to work with animals in-person or from a distance. Additional Attunement/Initiation/ Reijus are not deemed necessary or recognised by TRA for RfA Practitioners.
Q: I have a condition which means that I struggle with writing, can I complete applications by answering the questions by audio or video means?
A: We wish to be inclusive and are happy to discuss options. Please contact us so that we can discuss this further with you.
Q: Are assisted digital options available. I do not have a means to print the paperwork.
A: We would ask that requests for paperwork are kept to a minimum, but we will do what we can to assist where you need help, please contact us and we can discuss this further with you.
Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: Email animalreiki@reikiassociation.net.
