Frequently Asked Questions

How can communication help with a new animal?

Having a telepathic conversation with your new animal can be very helpful for both of you. People report seeing dramatic changes in behavior when their new animal understands what is going on. One woman called me to talk to a rescued dog who kept trying to run away. He scratched at the door constantly and whined to get out. She had to keep him on a leash any time they were outside. One day when she left him in the car for a short period of time, he chewed a lot of her interior upholstery. When I talked to him, he said he had "to get back to my family!". As it turned out, his family had moved out of state and had turned him in to the shelter. His person had me tell him that she was his "new person" and that she would give him a loving home. She explained to him that she loved to take him places with her and wanted him to stay close to her. He was very relieved to hear this information. She reported that during our conversation he stopped scratching, relaxed and curled up by the door. She reported weeks later that he remained calm and happy and never tried to run away again!

Can you make my dog stop barking?

Often dogs have assigned themselves the job of being "the watchdog", and they’re usually willing to be assigned a different job. Other times it’s a process of negotiation combined with behavioral cues, like "catching them being good" and praising them for being quiet. Often we unconsciously send the animal the image of them doing exactly what we don't want them to do! If you are concerned that your dog is barking, that is the thought that you are holding in your mind. Instead, hold the thought of the behavior you want to see (ex. your dog coming to you to quietly signal that someone has arrived). That thought will then become the message your dog is getting from you.

What are some of the common concerns you hear from animals?

It seems that one of the biggest concerns is that of being abandoned. When their family leaves on vacation, many animals worry that their family will not return. It is especially stressful if they are taken to another place to board. When you are planning to leave for any length of time it is good to take some quiet time with your animal and explain that you are"taking a vacation" and that you WILL "be back". I like to show my animals a mini-movie of how many nights I'll be gone. The same applies to going to the vet or the groomer. It really helps to let your animal know that you will return for them as soon as possible. You can just mentally reassure them that you'll "be back". Horses have a hard time with being traded. They often don't know why they are being moved from one place to another. That sets them up to be unsure of what is expected of them in a new setting. I frequently get reports from people about how their horse calmed down when reassured that they were staying with that person "for a long time".

Do you really see behavioral changes as a result of telepathic communication?

Yes, often dramatic changes occur. One horse I worked with bucked frequently. Her rider had consulted with vets, chiropractors, body workers, and an acupuncturist in hopes of locating the physical problem that led to this behavior. When the horse and I talked, it seemed that she thought this was a game. She didn't realize it could be dangerous for her person. Once I explained this, she stopped bucking. Her rider reported that the next day they went on the longest trail ride that they had taken in their 3 years together and not one buck! One year later, Michelle reported that Eve still behaved well on trail rides. It's important to follow behavioral changes with rewards so that your animal realizes that you've noticed their efforts. It's also important to note that you can make requests for changes but your animal doesn't have to comply. I do find that most animals do want to cooperate once they realize what you want from them.

Do animals reincarnate?

That's a hard one to answer. I often have conversations with animals who say they were with their person at some other time in the person's life. My sister did have an experience with a dog that seemed to point to reincarnation. She was driving in the country and came upon a dog sitting in the middle of the road. She stopped and opened her door to talk to the dog. The dog jumped into her truck as if he knew her. He was obviously lost and starving. She called me and asked me to see if he knew his name. He said it was "Beau".

She took him to her vet for a check up. The next day when she stopped by to check on him everyone in the vet's office commented that the dog seemed to know her. She asked me to check with Beau about that. Beau said that he "used to live next door to her in a pen". He "loved watching her with her happy animals playing in the backyard". My sister later asked her neighbor if he remembered the old dog his dad kept in a pen. He replied, "Oh, yeah. 'Beau' sure was a good dog".

Today, Beau has a happy life with daily runs on the beach and a loving family.

How Can an Animal Communicator Help With Animal Behavior Problems

Often what people call "animal behavior problems" are actually a result of miscommunication with their animal companions. Many people, even real animal lovers, don't know how to communicate with animals or how to understand what their animals would like to tell them. Most animals who have lived with humans in a shared domestic environment have picked up a vocabulary sufficient to tell their human friends their needs or concerns. You may just need some help listening!

Typical animal behavior problems include; chewing your things, shredding furniture or papers, picking on other animals, or urinating around your home. Believe it or not, you may not have been clear about what you want–at least not in a way that the animal understands. Yelling or hitting is not going to be clear to your friend–that just creates more stress and causes confusion. Often just having me explain what you feel is acceptable behavior is all that is needed. Usually your animal is then more than happy to cooperate.

Communication Can Resolve Animal Behavior Problems

I have never encountered a cat who was urinating in the house as an attempt to tell his person that he was mad. Most often, they are trying to tell you about a health problem.

How Can Pet Communicators Help You and Your Pet Deal with Passing on

Often people want help communicating with their animals about making end of life decisions. I draw on my counseling training and hospice experience as I work with animals and their families helping make the important decisions about life and death. I have helped the people know whether their pet would like assistance from a vet in leaving his body or whether he would like to do that by himself. It can be a great relief to people to know what their animal wants them to do during this difficult, emotional time.

With the help of an animal communicator, they can tell you the things you've wanted to hear, like how much they love you and how they've enjoyed their life with you. You can express your love and appreciation for them. They might even tell you that they plan to return to you in the form of a new animal. Many pets plan to do exactly this, and you can talk about it with them before they go so that you'll be able to open your home and your heart again in the future.