How We Keep Animals Stuck in Their Story - And How to Set Them Free

I’ve worked with countless animals whose pasts are hard to hear—abuse, abandonment, illness. The kind of pain that leaves a lasting imprint. And while animals are capable of incredible healing, they can remain stuck in trauma loops—especially when those around them keep repeating the story.

Animals live in a more present, energetic state than we do. They don’t naturally dwell on the past the way humans do but can get stuck there. When we keep retelling their trauma, introducing them by what they’ve suffered, or visualizing their pain, we reinforce that energetic imprint. It’s not the only reason they stay stuck—but it’s a big one.

True healing comes from addressing what lives in their emotional and energetic body. When we work with them through energy healing, gentle emotional release, and mindful positive reinforcement—combined with love, compassion, and patience—we help guide them back into alignment. We encourage new patterns, rewire emotional responses, and allow their nervous systems to reset on their own timeline. This is where lasting healing begins.

And part of that powerful process is not repeating the story of how they got there. Not over-identifying with their pain. Not leading every conversation or introduction with the worst thing that’s happened to them. Because doing so holds them in that moment—energetically, emotionally, and sometimes even physically.

Let’s take a moment to turn the lens inward.

Think of a painful experience from your own life. One that left a mark. When you recall it, how does your body respond? Do you feel a sinking in your stomach, a tightness in your chest, or the rise of shame, fear, or anger?

Now imagine being introduced to others by that moment.“This is [Your Name], they were betrayed by someone they trusted,” or “They struggled with trauma and are still working through it.” How would that feel?

Would you want that to be your defining story?

Neither do our animals.

Remember: they are not what happened to them. And we are not here to make them wear their wounds forever just so others can understand their depth.

Rewriting the Narrative — Changing How We Speak About Them

Retelling an animal’s trauma story is often done with love. I want to make that clear - it does not come from a bad place. We want to show how far they’ve come. We want others to see the strength and survival behind their eyes. But when we lead with pain, we unintentionally create an energetic framework that keeps them identified with their suffering.

This tendency comes from a very human place. Expressing empathy through words, storytelling, and emotional detail helps us feel seen. Sometimes, especially when we’ve experienced trauma ourselves, we over-identify with an animal’s pain because it mirrors something in us. Their healing becomes entangled with our need for validation.

That doesn’t make us wrong or bad—it makes us human. But it also means we have to be mindful of whose healing we’re actually speaking into when we tell these stories.

Instead of anchoring them to their trauma, we can anchor them to who they are now. To the healing they've already begun. To the energy of becoming, not just surviving.

The Power of Visualization and Its Impact on Healing

Visualization is more than just imagination—it’s a form of energetic direction and communication. Every thought we hold carries a frequency, and when we visualize something—whether it's a joyful moment or a traumatic one—we activate that frequency in our bodies and in our energetic fields.

The nervous system doesn’t always know the difference between what’s happening now and what’s being remembered or imagined. That’s why we can feel sick to our stomach recalling something painful, or tear up just thinking about a joyful reunion. Our thoughts shift our chemistry, our vibration, and our energy field in real time.

This becomes particularly important when supporting animals who have experienced trauma. If we keep picturing them in their most fearful or painful moments—locked in a cage, abandoned in the cold, neglected or mistreated—we’re continually feeding that vibration into their space. Even if our intention is compassionate, the energy behind those visualizations is heavy. It can reinforce fear, sadness, or helplessness—emotions that we’re trying to help them move through.

Animals pick up on this easily. They feel what we’re thinking. They don’t need to hear the story aloud to absorb the frequency behind it. So if we want to support their healing, we need to start seeing them as healing. As whole. As moving forward.

Try instead to visualize them in states of safety, peace, curiosity, trust. See them napping in the sun, receiving loving care, enjoying a safe connection with others. Picture them discovering new joys or expressing their quirky, radiant personalities. These kinds of visualizations aren’t denial—they are energetic encouragement.

They help shape the future instead of keeping the past on repeat.

The Impact of Introducing an Animal by Their Worst Experiences

Words are a form of energy. Every introduction we make, every description we offer, carries a vibration—and that vibration becomes part of how the animal is seen and held by others.

When we lead with an animal’s worst moment—“This is Jasper, he was rescued from a hoarding situation and had to fight for every meal”—we’re offering a lens that locks the listener (and sometimes the animal) into that moment. It creates a story bubble that defines them by what they endured, not by who they are becoming.

Now, there’s a time and place for those stories. Rescue groups, shelters, and fundraising efforts often need to share these details to create awareness. But once that animal is in your care, the energetic responsibility shifts. The focus turns to healing—and that means telling a new kind of story.

Try instead: “This is Jasper. He’s incredibly resilient, curious, and is finally starting to relax and trust again.” That small shift changes everything. It creates a new energetic signature around them—one that encourages growth, safety, and forward movement.

Remember: they are not what happened to them. And we are not here to make them wear their wounds forever just so others can understand their depth.

Reframing the Story – Writing a New, Empowering Introduction

This simple but powerful exercise can help rewire both your perspective and your animal’s experience:

1. Write the Old Story

Describe your animal companion as you might normally introduce them. Include any trauma details or backstory you tend to share.

2. Pause and Reflect

Read that back to yourself. Notice what emotions come up. Is there heaviness? Sadness? Does it feel empowering or depleting? How might your animal feel being held in that story?

3. Write the New Story

Now rewrite the introduction. Focus on who they are now. Their strengths. What they’ve discovered since healing began. What makes them unique, wise, loving, or full of light.

4. Feel the Shift

Say both versions out loud. Notice how your energy changes. The second version likely feels lighter, more hopeful, and more aligned with the healing you want for them.

This isn’t about ignoring the truth. It’s about choosing what we reinforce. When we speak of animals as growing, healing, and thriving—we help them feel it too.

Closing Thoughts

There’s no shame in wanting to honour what an animal has survived. In fact, it’s a beautiful thing. But we can choose how we honour it—with reverence for their strength, not with constant retelling of their pain.

The greatest support we can offer is the energy of the present. The space to grow. The freedom to step into a life beyond the worst chapter.

Our job isn’t to deny what’s happened, but to help them move beyond it. And that starts with how we see them, speak of them, and support their story to evolve.

Let’s help them write a new one.

If you're curious about how to better support your animal companions by understanding their energy, learning how to use Reiki specifically for animals, or how your own energy can play a role in their deeper healing—I’d love to connect.

Whether you have questions or just want to learn more, feel free to reach out. momentousreiki@gmail.com

Supporting animals through energy awareness isn’t just powerful—it’s a privilege. Thank you for walking this path with me.

Sending light and gratitude,

Monique 'Moe" Rosteius

Animal & Human Reiki Master Practitioner & Teacher | Energy Maven | Animal Advocate| Intuitive | Empath | Spiritual Coach

Owner of Momentous Reiki