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Distant Reiki for Animals in Natural Disasters

By Molly Malone. Molly is the author of the Little book of Animal reiki and the course tutor for the Reiki Healing Association’s animal reiki master teacher training

During the horrific wildfires in Hawaii’s Maui last year, I read a story about a brave man named Franklin Trejos who clung to and shielded his best friend’s dog Sam as the fires engulfed his car. As a lifelong animal lover and devoted guardian to my dog George, my heart broke. What a poignant final act of love and protection.

When catastrophe strikes on the other side of the world, it’s natural that we can feel powerless. In today’s modern world, we often see first-hand accounts via social media of just how frightening and devasting such disasters can be. The innate human urge to help is overwhelming but it can be hard to know how best to help, and in recent years, it seems we are witnessing more and more natural disasters, from devastating hurricanes, cyclones and wildfires to monster earthquakes and floods. This increase has been attributed to various factors, including human-induced climate change, deforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture, and rapid urbanization.

Natural disasters are extreme events that cause great damage or loss of life. In 2020 alone, the world bore witness to an estimated 409 natural disasters, affecting collectively over 98 million people. Amidst the heart-breaking headlines and shocking statistics, the suffering and devastation endured by countless animal species and the natural ecosystems tends to be overshadowed. But animals are hugely affected by these catastrophic events also. Their plight is an integral facet of the larger narrative surrounding natural disasters, and the toll on wildlife is both profound and disheartening. A poignant example of this can be seen in the unprecedented Australia wildfires of 2019 and 2020, which burned millions of hectares of land and claimed the lives of over a billion animals.

Similarly, when the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil, a global ecological treasure, were ravaged by wildfires that raged from January to November 2020, as many as 17 million animals were lost, whilst 30% of the world’s largest tropical wetland was destroyed.

The animal kingdom is intrinsically linked to the delicate web of life on our planet, and their well-being and survival are intimately tied to the health of our ecosystems. In the last ten years, these crises have certainly pushed the boundaries of our understanding about what a disaster can do. And it is evident, that the consequences of natural disasters extend far beyond human suffering. I’m not sure we even appreciate the full impact these disasters are having on biodiversity and ecological equilibrium across the world, and it’s very easy to be overwhelmed by the scope of the problem.

Luckily, there are some incredible organisations and protection agencies and charities, that jump into action when disasters strike to support local government action. What’s more, in the wake of every event, we witness the extraordinary acts of selflessness displayed by emergency service personnel, volunteers, and local people who work tirelessly to help their community and all those affected, including domesticated pets, farm animals and wildlife. Animals themselves, often play a role in the rescue and relief efforts, with trained search and rescue dogs locating survivors, detecting scents, and navigating challenging terrain that might be inaccessible to humans. Their dedication and tireless work often results in countless lives being saved. Interestingly, animals may even provide us with a way to detect impending natural disasters in the future, to avoid such devastating loss of life. There is a lot of research taking place into how animals seem to sense oncoming danger well before manmade warning systems and make efforts to flee.

When the 2004 tsunami hit Indonesia, many eyewitness accounts describe a range of reactions among different species ahead of the deadly waves hitting land: dogs refused to go outside, elephants were seen fleeing to higher ground and flamingos left their nests on lower ground.

One particularly striking incident unfolded in the coastal village of Bang Koey, Thailand, where locals observed a herd of buffalo positioned near the shoreline suddenly look out to sea and then charge towards the summit of a nearby hill moments before the arrival of the tsunami. Perhaps in the future we will be able to study this further and tap into the natural instincts of animals, where possible, as early warning signs of impending disasters.

As conscientious global citizens, there are of course ways we can personally contribute to the relief efforts when disasters do strike. We can make monetary donations to reputable organisation or donate much-needed supplies and resources to assist those affected by these crises. However, as Reiki Practitioners there is another way we can offer support, and that’s by sending Reiki to the areas hit by tragedy. I like to send Reiki to the people, animals and the ecosystem that will be affected. I find it can help to look up an image of the area affected by the disaster to better visualise and form a clear intention of where I want Reiki to flow.

When sending Reiki distantly to animals affected by natural disasters, I like to set the intention that all the animals, whether domestic, farm animals or wildlife can accept the comforting and healing light of Reiki energy. I envision the animals finding safety, nourishment, strength and peace and surround them with a protective aura of well-being. You will need to call upon the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen Symbol, to activate your distant connection to the disaster zone, working with your preferred method of distant Reiki. Given that these crises involve a broad range of needs, I like to use all the symbols to amplify the healing intention. Visualise a gentle, radiant light emanating from your hands to a surrogate (or your preferred distant method). Trust in the energy’s ability to travel across the miles to reach the animals, providing comfort, relief, and healing.

You can administer Distant Reiki as often as you feel called to do so. Regular sessions offer continued support to animals as they recover from the aftermath of natural disasters and move forward from any trauma with confidence, in accordance with the Highest Good. Even if you are yet to learn the distant Reiki symbol and distant Reiki techniques, you can still contribute by harnessing the power of intention and healing thoughts. The important thing is to have the intention to help, to send forth love and healing energy with the aim of enhancing the well-being of the world.

Distant Reiki offers a unique way for people around the world to contribute to the well-being and recovery of those affected by natural disasters. It reminds us that compassion knows no boundaries and that even when we are physically distant, our intentions and actions can make a difference. In times of crisis, as we continue to witness the planet’s trials, let compassion be our guiding light. Alongside our innate empathy for our global brothers and sisters, let’s also remember the animals that share their home.

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