Angela Kearney’s journey into holistic healing is one of profound transformation, driven by personal struggles and a deep love for her cherished pets. Having navigated the high-pressure world of magazine publishing, Angela found herself at a crossroads after nearly two decades of relentless deadlines and stress. It was the unexpected passing of her mother that pushed her to reevaluate her life’s direction, plunging her into a period of intense grief and disorientation. However, amidst the turmoil, the arrival of two kittens, particularly Rex, marked a pivotal turning point. When Rex was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy at just 18 months old, Angela embarked on a quest to find safe, natural ways to support his health and wellbeing. This journey led her to explore the realms of Reiki, Bach Flower Remedies, and holistic healing for both humans and animals. Angela’s dedication to her beloved pets ignited a passion for helping others on their healing journeys, leading her to become a practitioner in Reiki, Bach Remedies, and Animal Healing. Her unique blend of expertise and compassion has since transformed the lives of countless animals and their owners, offering hope, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
In her interview with MysticMag, Angela shares insights into her personal journey with holistic therapies, the transformative power of Bach Remedies for animals and humans alike, and dispels common misconceptions surrounding holistic healing for pets. Her wealth of knowledge and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of animals serve as a beacon of hope for pet owners seeking alternative avenues for their furry companions’ health and happiness. Angela’s holistic approach emphasizes the importance of nurturing the whole animal—physically, mentally, and emotionally—offering practical advice and compassionate guidance to pet guardians worldwide. As she continues to touch the lives of both people and pets through her healing work, Angela Kearney stands as a testament to the profound impact of holistic therapies in fostering wellness and balance in our lives.
What inspired you to pursue a career in holistic healing and become a practitioner of Reiki and Bach Remedies for both humans and animals?
It was a combination of things really. I come from a background in magazine publishing and media which had left me utterly burned out and disillusioned. I jumped off the treadmill but after almost 20 years of crazy hours and relentless deadlines, I had no idea what was next…
Life became unstructured and stressful. But what pushed me to the edge was the unexpected passing of my mother. I was inconsolable and found it difficult to function at the most basic level. Life had fallen apart.
It wasn’t until 2013 when I welcomed two kittens into my life that the path became entirely clear. The male, Rex, received a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy at just 18 months old. The only recommendation from my vet and two neurologists was lifelong prescription drugs with potentially harmful side effects. Determined to do my absolute best for him, I was certain there must be safe, healthy ways to support him and although unplanned, it led to an entirely new career path.
I enrolled in an Animal Healing Diploma Course. Most of the animals we worked with had chronic health conditions or behavioural/emotional issues. The course modules were comprehensive: nutrition, natural remedies, behaviour, anatomy and physiology, first aid etc but it was the meditation practice with animals that steered me towards Reiki. To see animals so deeply relaxed, free of pain, fear and anxiety was the most beautiful result. The student healers, myself included, also benefited from the exchange. I knew this was something that had a great deal of potential for Rex… and me!
I took my first Reiki course in the same year and completed my Master training in 2019. The following year, I had the great fortune to study with Kathleen Prasad who was visiting from the US. Following completion of her course, I gained my Master Practitioner qualification in Animal Reiki.
The magical, healing properties of plants have always been deeply fascinating to me. I’ve recently completed a Foundation Course in Herbal Medicine and I’m even more convinced of their benefits for humans and animals.
I purchased my first Bach Flower Remedies in my twenties. Almost 35 years later, the remedies still bring me comfort and emotional balance. They’ve always been a very natural fit personally and now, in my growing business. I love that they are simple to use, inexpensive and safe for everybody, animals included. I was keen to learn more about the system with a view to becoming a practitioner and helping others. But the decision to train was sealed when again, during my research to help Rex, Bach Rescue Remedy greatly helped his recovery during and post-seizures. My Bach education commenced in 2017 and I completed my Practitioner course in 2019. After additional training in animal behaviour, I then qualified as a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner in 2020. And I’m the only BFRAP in London!
Can you share more about your personal journey with these therapies and how they helped you overcome challenges in your own life?
Undoubtedly, it’s the personal challenges I’ve faced that led me to the therapies, triggered by something of a midlife crisis in my forties. For the above mentioned reasons, I found myself in unfamiliar territory and wasn’t coping.
Life-changing events force us to question where we are on our path. These periods are often chaotic, unhappy and can affect our physical and mental health. That was certainly the case for me.
Unconvinced by the recommendations of my GP, I realised that recovery and ultimate happiness were entirely up to me and I had to find a healthier, safer way than prescription drugs. I realised also that I’d lost my sense of purpose.
Welcoming the cats into my life was the first major step forward. They needed me and as it turns out, I needed them.
I’d been using Bach Remedies to help ease my grief following the death of my mother. The remedies had also become important in managing Rex’s seizure activity. I needed a way out of depression and anxiety to find calm and peace. Reiki helped me do that. And, along the way, Reiki also healed minor injuries and eased chronic health conditions. Bonus! Reiki also became an important part of Rex’s ongoing therapy. Serendipity…
In summary, the inspiration to change course came relatively late. The familiar framework of my life was gone. Driven by many factors including lost confidence in conventional medicine and procedure; profound, enduring grief and a determination to do my absolute best for two beautiful animals who had done so much to heal me, Reiki and Bach Flower Remedies helped me recover, finding calm and clarity amongst the chaos.
And importantly, both therapies have helped me find purpose… which is to help others going through their own struggles.
Could you explain how Bach remedies work for animals and humans, and what specific benefits they offer?
Bach Flower Remedies are an energy healing system of 38 flower and plant tinctures plus Rescue Remedy discovered in the UK by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s. Doctor Bach was trained in orthodox medicine but his approach to health and wellness was entirely holistic. He also believed there was a direct link between health and our emotions.
The remedies work to balance emotions by encouraging the positive potential of negative emotions or personality types. These emotional imbalances can sometimes manifest in physical symptoms or affect our general wellbeing.
Bach remedies support both humans and animals but of course, humans have the advantage of speech and the ability to articulate their problems. Animals do not.
For humans, it’s possible to self-select by following advice from any number of books and guides available. And indeed, this is what Dr Bach intended; those who were struggling should have access to an inexpensive, simple and safe system of self-healing. However, when clients are new to Bach, it’s helpful to first see a practitioner who will suggest remedies that may help and advise how the system works. It’s actually a very collaborative process.
The remedies bring about a subtle shift in the emotions which helps to better manage stress, anger, fear, jealousy and many other troubling emotions. Where there is emotional stability, there is improved overall health and wellness. Remedies can be taken neat under the tongue but most commonly, in water or a drink sipped throughout the day.
Bach Flower Remedies for animals do the same job but keen observation of our pets is required and to have some knowledge of animal behaviour is also helpful. All the remedies are safe and no harm will be done if the most appropriate remedy is not chosen on the first selection. The very worst that can happen is that there will be no improvement until the most appropriate remedy is selected.
There are several excellent books about Bach Remedies for animals which can guide pet guardians. Or expert advice can be taken from a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner. But note that depending on the country of residence, animals may be protected by the law and a vet referral to a BFRAP may be required.
Each of the remedies encourages the positive potential of a particular emotional state. For example, if you have an aggressive pet, there will be a Bach remedy or combination to encourage the opposite behaviour. If you have a timid or nervous pet, there are balancing remedies to promote courage and confidence. The remedies are most commonly used for cats and dogs but work in exactly the same way for small furries, horses, farm animals, reptiles, birds, fish and wild animals.
Remedies for animals are best added to food and water. They can also be gently massaged into the skin or fur of domestic pets. If tolerated, just inside the ears or into paw pads works well.
What misconceptions do people often have about holistic healing for animals, and how do you address these misconceptions in your practice?
The most obvious answer is that where there is something unconventional, unusual, unproven or lacking in scientific evidence, it’s often considered by vets and/or pet guardians to be expensive, exploitative WooWoo! Unfortunately, complementary therapists and healers are usually the last port of call for desperate pet guardians who have exhausted all other avenues. That’s a stressful place to be for the guardians and of course, even worse for pets who have perhaps deteriorated unnecessarily.
UK law states that all complementary animal therapies must be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon. However, those suitably trained in animal complementary techniques can treat animals with a referral from the vet in charge of the animal’s care.
Worryingly, there are those calling themselves ‘complementary therapists’ with flimsy credentials who work with animals and I agree that animals must be protected. I won’t work with an animal that doesn’t have a referral or permission from the vet to proceed.
Sadly, those therapists who are the real deal and who could very probably help in situations where pets aren’t fully responding to conventional treatment are rarely recommended by vets in conventional practice. Sometimes, this is because of legislation. In other cases, it’s the WooWoo factor.
And of course, holistic vets can often provide the services of independent complementary therapists. It’s a frustration. I have a pet-sitting business and those clients often become healing clients having built trust over time.
The key to improved health is first and foremost, diet and nutrition. Unfortunately much of the disease we see in our pets is due to poor or inadequate nourishment. When I see where improvements can be made, I’m able to help my clients with nutritional advice, suggest herbs and supplements to support various aspects of pet health and make suggestions for environmental adjustment which very often leads to behavioural improvements.
Often the smallest tweak can bring about improvements which helps to build trust. When trust is established, especially when conventional treatments have failed, pet guardians and even some vets are more open to trying complementary treatments which are, in my experience, highly successful.
Small steps can often lead to great results and if, through holistic care, we can improve the whole health of any animal, I’m more than happy to keep taking those small steps! There are few things that make me happier than recovered, healthy pets and happy (often very relieved) pet guardians.
What advice would you give to pet owners who are considering incorporating holistic therapies into their pets’ wellness routines?
Actually, the best advice I can give any pet guardian is to put greater focus on holistic care in general. Pets are not defined by their symptoms and test results. Where there is weakness or disease, when the whole animal is supported, we give our pets a much higher chance of recovery or significant improvement.
Get diet and nutrition right. There is hugely misplaced trust in the pet food industry. Get smart about food labels and make informed decisions rather than simply buying into fancy advertising and marketing. Ideally, feed pets fresh, species appropriate food and many common health issues can be avoided.
Keep pets mentally stimulated and active. They require interaction and love. Provide an environment where they are comfortable and safe. These are basic requirements but sadly, not all pet owners are sufficiently clued-up about what their pets really need to enjoy happy, healthy lives.
Be curious. Read from credible, impartial sources. There are some brilliant holistic vets and behaviourists online providing valuable information, tips, recipes. Dr Karen Becker in the US, Dr Nick Thompson in the UK to name just a couple. Follow on social media and you’ll be linked to so many more wonderful sources of helpful information for pets.
Keep a journal, take photos and videos to help your vet get a full picture of what’s going on for your pet. A great vet will welcome your questions and discussion respecting that what you know about your pet could be equally important as any test results. If not, you should consider changing your vet or at least get a second opinion!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Speak up for your pet. Nobody knows everything and that includes our vets. My own vet told me that.
Be aware. The clues to disease and injury are usually there but if we’re not paying attention, they can be missed and progress. It happens, modern life is hectic and animals are masters at disguising pain or discomfort.
For rescue animals and cases where there is trauma, complementary therapies can be extremely helpful in dealing with shock, pain, nausea, stress, anxiety. The same applies to animals with behavioural issues. The balancing effect of complementary therapies calms the spirit and stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal.
So, my advice is to take a holistic approach to your pet’s health and wellbeing. The result will be healthier pets (and less money on vet bills). But when veterinary support is required, I’d encourage an integrative approach of conventional and complementary care to treat both the illness or injury while continuing to support the entire animal, physically, mentally and emotionally.
It’s advice I give with some confidence. Apart from my client success stories, I’m so happy to say that my darling boy, Rex, is 12 this year. He’s happy, healthy and after a lifetime on prescription drugs, he’s still in great shape!
