A Reiki treatment for an animal differs from a treatment for humans in a couple of respects; when an animal is treated, it is normally done at the animal's place of residence, or perhaps at a veterinary clinic if the animal is under a doctor's care. The treatment may or may not be a hands-on treatment, and this depends soley upon the animal itself. The best situation is one where the animal can be completely relaxed, in familiar surroundings.
The pracitioner will often simply be in the same room with the animal, sitting quietly, with hands resting in their lap. The animal will be greeted mentally by the pracitioner, and the animal will be asked their permission as to whether treatment shall proceed. The owner may stay as well, and could very well benefit by taking in residual Reiki energy in the room during the treatment. Very often the animal will approach the pracitioner and smell their hands, demonstrating that they are sensing the energy coming from the palms. Sometimes the animal will place the part of their body that needs treatment in the pracitioner's hands. Most commonly, the animal will begin to settle, yawn or sigh, which are common signs that they are feeling the effects of Reiki, and may very well fall asleep and stay asleep during the treatment.
Sometimes the animal will not give permission to the pracitioner to send Reiki energy, in which case the appointment would be rescheduled and attempted again. Or, the pracitioner may decide that Distant Reiki would be an alternative that the animal would more readily accept. Again permission would be asked of the animal, and the energy would be sent, should the animal agree to treatment. Some animals simply find the energy to be too intense for a hands-on treatment, but truly enjoy and benefit from Distant Reiki. If the owner prefers, an appointment can be set for the treatment to occur in the case of Distant Reiki, with the owner observing the animal during the appointed time of treatment when the energy is being sent. After which the owner can phone the pracitioner to relay any observations they may have made during the session.
The length of treatment varies, lasting anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. When treatment is done, the owner and pracitioner confer and decide whether further treatment is necessary, depending upon the condition of the animal, and the problem being treated.