Complementary Therapies Including Reiki

Gentle, effective therapies for dogs, Reiki for you, and the opportunity to enjoy Reiki together with your dog — with distant Reiki also available for people and animals.

Gentle Therapies, Tailored to Your Dog

Every dog is different, so each session begins with your dog — how they are feeling, how they are moving and anything you have noticed or are concerned about.

At The Small Barn in East Sussex, I use gentle complementary therapies to help with physical comfort, mobility and relaxation. Depending on your dog, a session may include myofascial release, Reiki, or a combination of therapies.

There is no force or restraint. Your dog is given time to settle, explore and choose where they feel comfortable, allowing us to work at their pace.

Individualised Support

No two dogs are the same, and neither are their sessions. I take into account your dog's age, lifestyle, mobility, comfort and how they are feeling on the day.

Some dogs may benefit from a combination of therapies, while for others a single approach may be more appropriate. Sessions are always adapted to the individual dog and taken at their pace.

Myofascial Muscle Release

Myofascial release is a gentle, hands-on therapy that works with the muscles and fascia — the connective tissue that surrounds and supports the body.

Areas of tension or restriction can affect how comfortably a dog moves and may lead them to compensate elsewhere in the body. Using light touch and gentle techniques, including methods from Emmett Therapy, I work with your dog to encourage release and greater ease of movement.

It can be particularly useful for older dogs, active dogs, those recovering from periods of reduced mobility, or dogs who simply seem a little stiffer or less comfortable than usual.

Every session is led by the dog, with no force or restraint.

This therapy may be particularly helpful for dogs experiencing:

• Stiffness or restricted movement
• Postural imbalance
• Compensatory strain patterns
• Recovery from physical exertion
• Ongoing mobility maintenance

This is not deep tissue massage or force-based adjustment. It is subtle, responsive work suited to dogs of all ages.

Reiki for People and Animals

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that can be offered to both people and animals. It creates an opportunity to slow down, relax, giving the body time and space to rest, heal and rebalance itself.

At The Small Barn, I offer Reiki for you, your dog, or for you and your dog together. Dogs are free to settle where they feel comfortable, move around or simply rest while Reiki is offered.

Reiki is also available for other animals in their own environment, where appropriate. I can travel locally to offer Reiki at their home, yard or premises, allowing them to remain somewhere familiar and comfortable.

Distant Reiki is available for both people and animals, and can be arranged individually according to their needs and circumstances.

Reiki may be particularly helpful for:

Supporting the body's natural healing processes
Deep relaxation and easing feelings of stress or tension
Supporting emotional wellbeing during periods of change
Creating space for rest, recovery and healing
Animals who are anxious, unsettled or adjusting to change
Older animals or those who may find hands-on therapies more difficult
Supporting people and animals during periods of illness or recuperation
People who find it difficult to switch off and make time for themselves
People and animals who enjoy receiving Reiki together

What Clients Say

“Myself and my two dogs had a wonderful share of Reiki with Toni Stevens in the beautiful and peaceful Small Barn. Toni took her time and we had a very interesting conversation afterwards, where she was happy to share her knowledge of many things relevant to our visit.

I can fully recommend this experience for some much needed ‘time out’ and healing and we are booked in already for our next treatment.”

Trudi, with her 2 dogs

What to Expect at Your Dog's Therapy Session

Sessions are calm and unhurried.

Your dog is given time to settle and choose where they feel comfortable. There is no force or restraint. Therapy may be hands-off or use light touch, with your dog free to stand, sit or lie down as they prefer.

Giving your dog space

For your dog to get the most from their therapy, they need the opportunity to settle into the session without continually checking in with you.

During an initial appointment, I'll spend time talking with you about your dog, their history and anything you've noticed or are concerned about.

For follow-up appointments, owners are encouraged to leave their dog with me where they are comfortable doing so. If you prefer to stay, I ask that you sit back, relax and allow your dog to have this time for themselves — without touching, reassuring or interacting with them unless requested by me.

Think of it a little like having a treatment at a spa: it would be difficult to completely relax if someone beside you was continually touching you and asking if you were okay. Dogs can be much the same.

I'll be watching and listening to your dog throughout the session, allowing their responses to guide how we work.

A session may include:

A discussion about your dog, their history and any concerns at their initial appointment
A brief update on any changes at follow-up appointments
Observation of posture and movement
Gentle, targeted therapy tailored to your dog
Time to settle and process

Some dogs visibly relax during their session, while others respond more gradually. Every dog is different, and each session is adapted to the individual dog.

VIEW AND BOOK