Talk to the animals

(Photo by Alen Fetahi)

I used to love “Mister Ed.” The embarrassing thing about that statement is that I didn’t watch it as a child; I discovered the show for the first time on cable when I was about 30. Something about it was so amusing, though, that it just cracked me up every time Mister Ed, a horse, spoke with his human friend, Wilbur. So when I think about improving one’s communication with animals, I’m afraid that’s what pops into my mind. Shows you what I know.

I’m sure I could learn a few things from Cindy Brody, a Reiki Master and the originator of CinergE, an energetic healing modality that, according to information on her website, can be applied to all living beings. It’s a combination of energy balancing and intuition, and helps to remove energy blockages that can cause stress, helping to prevent injury and ease pain. Brody maintains a practice healing horses in the Hudson Valley as well as an office in Woodstock where she works with people and dogs.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m., Cindy Brody will conduct a workshop at the Saugerties Public Library to demonstrate techniques for applying the principles of CinergE to your canine companions or other pets. The workshop is free.

The aim of her work with dogs, according to Brody’s website, is to bridge the communication gap between dogs and their caretakers. She writes that transition times are particularly tough for dogs, and a transition can be anything from a small change to a profound one. A dog can feel displaced in the family by a newly arrived baby, or grow from a sweet little puppy into a dog too large for the family to handle. Brody writes that CinergE helps to ease the dogs’ trauma, and the bodywork helps to relieve physical stress. “Dogs are so willing to let go of their tight necks and tight shoulders, and when they do, there can be a dramatic difference,” she writes.

Anyone can apply her techniques to their pets, she says. “All you have to do is open your heart and listen.”