Christine Barfield has a way with animals where she can soothe their anxieties with techniques she learned as an animal reiki practitioner.
She is the owner of Newmarket-based the Fern and the Fox, a company that aims to build connections with pets and their owners through energy healing practices.
“From a young age I always had a bond with animals and I listened to my intuition,” said Barfield. “I had dogs throughout my adult life. I always understood them and had a deep connection to them.”
Her signature personal energetic techniques program aims to help animals that display anxious behaviour, suffer from past trauma, have repeatedly been rehomed, have a physical ailment, and suffer from disease by providing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual relief.
She uses energetic healing methods such as reiki, communication, past life regression, and integrated energy therapy on dogs, cats and horses.
Barfield has helped rescue pets settle into a new home and pets that have been with a family for a while regulate their stress. She also helps pets deal with separation anxiety when their owners have to go away for some time.
“I help the pet feel safe and secure within themselves, so when their people go to work, they’re not a mess or stressed out,” said Barfield. “It takes a little bit of time with that because behaviour issues can be deeply rooted. It takes a couple of sessions.”
Tracey Lee is a client of the program. She has a cocker spaniel mixed poodle named Bailey who has anxiety when left alone. Barfield was able help Bailey calm down.
“She worked on Bailey and gave me a rollerball,” said Lee. “I put these essential oils on her head if we’re going out. I don’t understand how this works, but when we put it on her before we go, she is so calm that she doesn’t need to come to the door with sad eyes.”
According to the International Associations of Reiki Professionals, the practice assists in creating a relaxation response and promotes a mind-body state conducive to healing. It involves alleviating symptoms and treating the physical cause of a health condition.
The association states reiki healing involves spiritual, emotional, and mental unblocking and re-balancing to help get to the root cause of a condition, get back on track, and create an optimal environment in which the body can heal.
“I’m trained in a whole bunch of energy modalities, animal reiki, healing touch, and integrated animal therapy,” said Barfield. “From there, I pick and choose which one I’m going to do, but I’m also an essential oil therapist, so I use some essential oils for calming.”
Animals may feel calmer, less anxious and stressed, and experience less pain and discomfort. Owners will receive practical guidance and tools to provide their animals with ongoing support.
“It has made me more aware of Bailey and her needs,” said Lee. “It has helped me feel more connected to her. I feel more comfortable leaving her alone now.”
Barfield holds certifications as a reiki master, animal reiki practitioner, level one akashic records practitioner (past life regression), level two integrated energy therapy practitioner, aromatherapy specialist, and healing touch for animals level one practitioner.
She also has an online shop where she has a curated collection of crystals and essential oil sprays for both people and animals whether you are seeking calm, abundance, grounding, joy, or you’re manifesting your wildest dreams.
For more information, visit www.thefernandthefox.com.
