Sassy’s Story: How Animal Reiki Helped a Rescue Cat Finally Feel Safe
- moerosteius
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
A gentle, noninvasive approach to healing that helped one anxious rescue cat release fear, settle in, and find comfort in her body—and her home.
When we adopt animals from rescue situations, we often inherit their unknowns—the things they can’t explain, but still carry in their nervous systems, behaviours, and energy.
Sassy is one of seven rescue cats in her household, and like many animals with complex pasts, she came with some edges. Her human loved her deeply, but could sense that Sassy wasn’t fully at ease. She slept, but not deeply. She loved, but cautiously. And she co-existed with the other cats… but not without tension.
Her guardian, Leslie, had already experienced Reiki herself and noticed significant shifts in her own energy, mood, and overall well-being. When Leslie learned I also offer Animal Reiki sessions, she felt it was time to try something different—for Sassy’s sake.
“Having seven rescue kitties is the greatest joy of my life, but not knowing their full stories, I wanted to ensure they are living their best life and comfortable in my home—especially the older ones.”
This is one of the reasons Animal Reiki can be so helpful—because it works beneath the surface. It's a gentle, noninvasive way to support animals who may not be able to fully express what they’ve been through, but who still feel it deeply.
Before Reiki: Always on Alert
Sassy showed classic signs of fight-or-flight energy. While she bonded with her person quickly, she remained guarded around the other cats. Even in sleep, her body stayed tense, like she never quite let her guard down.
Her human, Leslie, noticed the following patterns before starting Reiki:
Hypervigilance and shallow sleep (always seemed to have “one eye open”)
Obsessive food-seeking behaviour—always needing to eat first and asking for food constantly
Aggressive responses during mealtime—hissing or swatting at other cats
General edginess, especially in group settings
Difficulty truly settling, relaxing, or finding ease in her body
These are the kinds of energetic patterns Reiki is great for addressing, because the energy field often reflects what the body and behaviour express. When an animal is holding onto stress, fear, or protective tension, Reiki energy offers a way to release that safely and gently.
What Shifted with Animal Reiki
Over the course of a few sessions, Sassy began to change—and not just on the outside. Her whole energy softened. She wasn’t just behaving differently; she was being differently.
Here are just some of the shifts her guardian noticed:
Calmer nervous system — She began to nap more deeply and peacefully
Health improvements — More hydration, better digestion, and more substantial bowel movements
Less tension around food — No more obsessing or lashing out at mealtime
Improved social dynamics — She no longer avoided the other cats and seemed to enjoy their company
More affection — She purred louder, initiated connection, and softened physically and emotionally
Slower, steadier movement — No longer darting or stalking, she walked with ease and comfort
“She walks with a calmer and slower demeanor and is overall a different, happier cat!”
That kind of transformation doesn’t come from forcing change. It comes from creating the right environment—an energetic container of safety, compassion, and permission to let go.
That’s what Reiki does.
A Surprising Openness
One of the things that stood out most to Leslie was how quickly Sassy accepted the energy and how fully she responded to it. Some animals take time. Others dive right in. Sassy was ready, and her body and spirit knew it.
“I feel a deeper bond with her… the majority of her fear and stress has disappeared.”
Sometimes, we don’t realize how much our animals are holding until we witness what they’re like without it. That’s one of the unexpected gifts of Reiki—it helps animals come back to themselves, and it deepens the connection we share with them along the way.
Why Animal Reiki Matters—Especially for Shelter and Rescue Animals
Many shelter animals have stories we’ll never fully know. Trauma, neglect, abandonment, emotional scars or even just high-stress environments can leave their mark. Even after they’ve landed in loving homes, that residual energy doesn’t always just go away.
Reiki is one of the most supportive tools I know of for helping them transition from surviving to thriving.
Because Reiki:
Meets animals where they’re at, without force or pressure
Helps regulate the nervous system and ease chronic stress
Supports better digestion, sleep, hydration, and overall vitality
Enhances trust and bonding between animals and their humans
Promotes emotional healing and confidence after trauma
Can be offered remotely or in-person without hands-on contact
And maybe most importantly: it reminds them that they’re safe now.
“I highly recommend that everyone with a feline or canine have an energy assessment done on their pets. Proper energy flow is the key to a healthy mind-body-soul.”
As someone who works with animals and their caregivers, I see this kind of shift all the time. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s dramatic. But it’s always meaningful.
Final Thoughts
If you have an animal who seems anxious, edgy, withdrawn, reactive, or “stuck” in any way—Reiki can help. It’s not a replacement for medical or behavioural care, but it’s an incredibly powerful complement. It offers something that food, training, and even medicine sometimes can’t: energetic safety and balance.
Sassy’s story is just one example of the many ways Animal Reiki can improve the lives of shelter animals and those who love them. And her healing journey is far from over—it’s ongoing, just like the bond between her and Leslie.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Reiki could help your animal, I invite you to reach out. I’m always happy to chat, answer questions, or book a session so you can see what it’s all about—for both of you.
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