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“There's only one thing we're still dealing with,” Remmy's owner mentioned. “He paws terribly when standing in cross-ties.” Immediately, I had a vision of Remmy in the barn aisle, held by cross ties – two ropes attached to the walls, clipped to his halter. I responded, “No wonder he's upset when stuck in cross-ties for two hours.” At the same time, Remmy's owner added, “I knew he had been left in cross-ties for hours with the last trainer.” We shared a moment of realization and concern. I spoke, “This horse was made to stand in cross-ties for two hours…” “Yes, after his rides,” she confirmed. I could feel Remmy's experience in my own body. “Imagine being ridden hard, then stuck in cross-ties while the sweat dries, leaving you itchy and unable to move or reach for water after an intense workout. It's no surprise he's distressed.” Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/101-left-hanging-out-to-dry

 I was doing something mundane, like the dishes, when I felt a proverbial tap on my left shoulder. With it, a horse I knew, Topaz, came into my mind.  "What about the rib?" he asked me. Topaz and his person had been on the phone with me a week prior. Topaz was worried about going into the wash stall. When I tuned in to him, he told me, "Slippery, slippery!" Due to an old injury, he was concerned about slipping. During that call, Topaz also pointed out that a rib on his left side was out of alignment. His person, a veterinarian and chiropractor, said she would check and fix it.  So, I was surprised to hear from Topaz asking about his rib while I was doing the dishes a week later. I knew his person would have checked it right away, but Topaz insisted, "What about the rib?" So I texted his person:  Topaz is nudging me. I wonder if you checked out his left rib cage and if you noticed anything. She answered:   Yes, I did and it was ok. I can check him again tomorrow. I answered:  He keeps pointing to his left side, and I wonder if anything is stuck there. Just keep an eye on it. The next day, I received a text.  Guess who had a rib out, left-hand side #cantmakethishsitup  Being genuinely heard means that the one listening is mindful of receiving it. My animal clients don't just reach out to me like that.  I have good boundaries around that. I am present with the animal during our phone session. After that, I am present with something or someone else.  I am not an open channel. Can you imagine? I would lose my mind if I heard animals coming in left and right. Animals wouldn't do that out of respect.  But Topaz knew his person could help, so he was persistent. In that case, I will listen—closely—because listening builds trust. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/100-the-art-of-listening

The dog wanted to show me his favorite place: I saw a lake, nature, and pine trees. The dog expressed how much he loved the scent of pine needles.  The dog's person was not impressed. He said, “I don't know what the dog was talking about.” Next, the man asked me what his dog's favorite spot in the house was. I saw the dog in the bedroom, covered by something that made the space dark and cozy.  Maybe he likes to be under the bed, I wondered. The human said, "Nope."  It turned out the dog was happiest under a blanket on the bed.  That was close enough for me.  But, more importantly, why did the guy ask?  He knew the answer. "What is my dog's favorite treat?" he asked next. "It's small and dark brown," I answered, "I'd say it looks like a liver treat?"  "No," the guy said, "it's a duck treat.  Considering the variety of dog treats available, from cream-colored milk bones to green teeth-cleaning treats, cubes of cheese, and hide-free chew sticks, my description of a small brown treat was spot on. Does the dog know the difference between liver and duck? Was it maybe duck liver? Who the heck cares? And more so, why are we talking about things the man already knew? This was the first time I offered my money-back guarantee.  The guy declined. There is more ... time to tune in! Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/99-it-ain-t-a-parlor-game

Are you breathing with our therapy horses? Breathing? You might think right now. We don't have time for that. The parents will complain if the student is not on horseback within the first five minutes.  I get it.  Twenty-five years ago, I ran a traditional program: We quickly got the rider on the horse to maximize the time on horseback. I changed the program when I realized that horses were often little more than vehicles for getting the job done.  We integrated more bonding time and more opportunities for the riders to get to know the horse by seeing the world through the horse's eyes. They transformed as we added more mindful interactions to our students' lessons. They became not just more compassionate and understanding but advocates for the horses.  And our horses? They were not just happier; they were thriving. Their well-being became a testament to the effectiveness of our approach.  And our board of directors? They were not just pleased; they were impressed. The vet bills went down, and our safety records soared. Join me to explore the world through your therapy horse's eyes.  Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/98-through-the-eyes-of-a-therapy-horse

It's important to understand that animals, just like humans, may not necessarily like each other. We don't always get along with every person we meet, even if we share the same workplace, school, or family. This is also true for horses, who are often brought together in small spaces without much choice. Each horse has its own history, experiences, and needs that must be met in a domestic setting. Sometimes, these needs are complex and cannot be easily met. The same can be said for our pets. In this episode, we will explore how to ensure everyone gets along. Show notes available here:  https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/97-let-s-all-get-along

As pet owners, we face various challenges and questions about our furry friends. Some of these questions may include when to take our dogs to the vet for diarrhea, what causes watery poop in horses, and how to deal with the bellies of anxious or sensitive animals. We all have seen the headlines on social media:  :: Diarrhea can be particularly dangerous for puppies, elderly dogs, and immunocompromised animals.  :: Diarrhea can result in the loss of electrolytes and dehydration.  With so many questions and uncertainties, it can be overwhelming to know what to do and when to do it. In this episode, I will guide you through a simple approach to finding answers and solutions to these and other animal-related issues. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/96-when-should-i-be-concerned-about-diarrhea

Do you deeply care about your animal and their well-being? Do you constantly check the weather, scour for life-saving supplements, research the perfect blanket, or only plan vacations when the right house sitter is available? I understand where you're coming from. Been there, done it. However, there is another side to this story. We must accept that we are not always in control of other beings' journeys, which can help us find peace and understanding. In this episode, we'll delve into this topic further and explore how to learn to let go and trust the natural course of things. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/95-when-we-know-better-we-do-better

How do you facilitate a workplace conflict when the clients are equines? Two herd members, Dutch and Tango, were unhappy about the donkey's presence in their program. They considered him a distraction from their real work. However, Pedro, the donkey, felt he could serve as a greeter, easing people into the program. When I suggested assigning Pedro as a purposeful herd member to greet people and create a bridge into deeper work, neither horse was excited about that option. Listen in to see how to resolve workplace conflict. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/94-resolving-workplace-conflict

I wondered why I was so tight. I could feel every muscle in my body pulling in one direction or another. When I walked, my Achilles felt tight; when I sat, my hip flexors felt tight; when I turned my head, my neck felt tight. Was this what it meant to get old? Then I felt Scout's wet nose touching my hand. Scout, our dog, had been lying on the other end of the sofa but had now crept along to engage me in some petting. I reached up to his neck and started to massage it. He licked my arm in response. Then I got sidetracked watching the show, and moments later, Scout nudged me, reminding me that I needed to be more focused. I took a deep breath, grounded myself, became aware of the tension in my body again, and wondered and wandered off in my mind again, thinking I needed to take a muscle relaxer or do some stretches. I wondered why my body felt so tight. Every muscle was pulling in different directions. Walking made my Achilles feel tight, sitting made my hip flexors tight, and even turning my head made my neck tight. Was this what getting old felt like? Suddenly, I felt something wet on my hand and realized it was Scout's nose. Scout, our dog, had been lying on the other end of the sofa but had now crept over to get some petting. I began to massage his neck, and he responded by licking my arm. However, I soon got distracted and began to watch TV. It wasn't until Scout nudged me that I became aware of my body's tension again. I took a deep breath, I needed to either take a muscle relaxer or do some stretches to alleviate it. As my mind took off again, Scout nudged me again. This time, I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths. I could feel my mind getting quiet, tuning out the rest of the world. Reaching around Scout's neck to the withers, I suddenly became aware of a word … Vitamins. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/animals-curb-our-internal-chatter

  See the visual I used as the icon for this podcast episode? Take a look at it. You see a woman taking a walk with her animals. While they are all on the same path, seeing the same things, the woman is distracted by her thoughts instead of being in the moment, experiencing nature and the company of the animals. The woman is physically there but not present.  It is an excellent reminder that you might be standing, sitting, or walking next to your animal in physical proximity; a leash or lead rope might physically connect you, yet you might not be present and in the moment at all.   There is no question that it is hard for humans to stay present for long periods. That's just not how we are designed. Our mind takes up most of our time, but being present and tuned in to our senses and body makes life much richer. The cool part about animals is how often your animal helps you and invites you to be present. Tune in to explore how animals pull us into the now. Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/92-mind-full-vs-mindful

My pendulum is an extension of me. It is my direct line to the Universal knowledge available to me. By using my pendulum, I can get quick yes and no answers from an animal.  Do you want a pet sitter? Yes? No? Stay at the kennel? Yes? No?  Are you anxious because of the new puppy? Yes? No? Do you want a flower essence to help your anxiety? Yes? No? See what I mean?  Just for all those reasons it is worth learning how to dowse.  But let's not forget that you can also learn how to communicate with your animals to solve problems and challenges when you use the pendulum.  Check out my new 1:1 mini intensive: “Your Pendulum Your Path To Animal Communication.” You'll get my personal attention. Can ask a million questions. And will communicate with your animals in a mindful and meaningful way. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/91-your-pendulum-your-path-to-animal-communication

Five days after the dog's passing, we had a phone call. During the call, the dog helped us understand death and dying in new ways. As we talked about The Tibetan Terrier's transition out of his body back to full consciousness, we wondered how much it had mattered to him that his people were present during the transition. I will share his answer from my notes during that call. I wrote it down verbatim. “This transition one does on one's own. But it is comforting to know the presence of those who carry pure love for one are present.” Next, I asked the dog, “So, did you transition from life to pure consciousness?” Before I could even get the full sentence out as a thought, the dog interrupted and corrected me. “We are always life. We are just no longer a-live.” Join me for episode #90 to understand more about death, dying, and your one and precious life.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/99-a-tibetan-dog-on-death-dying

I don't know about you, but every time one of my animals has to go to the vet. I want to make sure that the experience is a good one. And so, over the years, I have tried to help my animals by preparing them for vet visits, and as you can imagine, I do it by telling them what's about to come now. A recent story sent to me by one of my clients made me realize it is essential to prepare not just our animals but also the veterinarian and the vet techs to ensure the experience is pleasant and beneficial. Let's get into it in episode #89 Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/89-help-your-vet-help-your-animal

A year ago today, my life changed. It was the morning after Christmas. Cup of coffee in hand, I looked out the window and saw our three horses standing by a big round bale in the field. I exhaled because that is what I do when I see everyone standing and content.  Something seemed weird, though. My light grey mare Shana had one of her hindlegs cocked, meaning she took all the weight off that leg, and from the knee down her leg was muddy brown. Had she stepped into mud, my brain wondered? It was 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The ground was frozen. There were no mud puddles.  I threw on a jacket and stepped into my boots. I had to take a closer look.  Join me as I learn about the friends we make along the way. Dedicated to my friend along the way. XO Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/88-friends-along-the-way

Your animal can help attract the right people to come into your life. Before we headed into the city, I sat down with Maisie, the Frenchie, and said, “OK, we're heading out. Please help us meet the right people for our purpose and mission.”  As we headed up the elevator of the apartment building in Tribeca, I noticed a man on my right leaning against the elevator wall. He wore a great leather jacket. Suede, cut like a denim jacket. I looked at him and said, “Love that jacket.”  Turns out, the sued-cladded gentleman was the man I was meant to meet. Listen and learn how your animals can manifest for you. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/87-the-manifestor-by-your-side

As a relationship coach for animals and their people, I am about improving or fine-tuning your relationship with your animal. If you have communication issues, I can help.  If you want to know what your animal thinks, I can help. If your animal is sick, lame, or despondent, I can help determine what is happening and provide a prescription or plan.   Now, the stakes are usually higher when the animal is a horse. Most horses live on borrowed time. You might wonder what that means … well, horses; unlike cats, dogs, birds, and turtles, horses are often a commodity. Horses get traded up or down. Horses are moneymakers or ribbon winners. Horses need to perform in a certain way to earn their keep. Not all, but many. Do you see how that raises the stakes?  Ok, it's time to push play on this episode to jump with me into the story.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/collaboration-matters

There is no need to wait another second to tell you another secret to communicating with animals successfully. Ask for what you need. It is so simple and effective … it airs on ridiculous that we don't use it ALL THE TIME!   Ask for what you need! When you express what you need, the chances of getting what you need increase tremendously. By verbally asking for what you need, you set a clear intention that the animal can follow. Remember, just thinking it in your head is less clear than saying directly what you need. You have tons of competing thoughts in your mind, and your animal has a hard time deciphering and distinguishing them all. But if you say it out loud, the message is clear.  Join me as we explore what's possible when we ask for what you need.  Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/85-ask-for-what-you-need

Tune in to this episode to see animal manifesters at work. This horse is a master manifester. He shifted the outcome once he knew what he could be destined for. In our phone call, the humans were able to provide him with the big picture and plan of what his life could look like. Animals don't witness themselves; they don't usually see the bird's eye view on their own. But when we explained it, he could see and feel himself in that life and step into it to make it happen.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/can-animals-manifest-their-destiny

Mares are incredibly smart, loyal, and good for you if you like a partner with ideas and suggestions. I remember someone referring to Shana, saying, “She is too smart for her own good.” To which I said, am I smart enough for her? A mare will always want to teach you something. And mares remind us every day how clever, loyal, and strong they are. A great mirror for us to look at.

There is one behavioral pattern, a quirky one, that annoyed me about our dog Scout: staring up at my plate the moment I want to dive into dinner.  Then, the other night, Scout told me why he behaved that way.  You might think it is simply about begging. It isn't. Listen in as Scout helps me get the most out of our relationship and gives you a tip on communicating successfully with your animals.   Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/in-tune

Teach your puppy what you want. So often, we try to teach our animals what we don't want. Don't jump on the sofa, don't jump up on people, don't surf the counter, don't bark. Don't, don't, don't … Don't is not a word that translates into a picture. All your dog sees is dogs on sofas, dogs counter surfing, and dogs barking.  Instead, acknowledge the things your puppy does right and create a template of what you want.  Listen in! I share ways to set your pup, kitten, horse, or bird (and you) up for success! Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/81-setting-puppy-up-for-success

Author David Brooks, a journalist, talks about how he often leaves a party or some gathering to realize that nobody ever asked him a single question. He estimates that only 30 percent of the people in the world are good question-askers.  Many animals feel that way, too. They want to be asked questions so they can express themselves. Hence my tagline: animals just like us want to be seen and heard. In this episode, follow me as I ask one important question to help Slick, a rust-colored Mule, shift from confused and uncertain to becoming his sweet and personable self again.  Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/animal-want-to-be-heard-and-seen

When horse people talk about being the horse's leader, I joke that a horse lives 22 hours without us, and in the two hours we see the horse, we expect it to hand over the power to us? Distracted pea brains like us? You have seen the visual I use to make the point: a person walking next to animals with a thought bubble above the head, mind full.  For a horse to accept us as a leader like another horse, we must get present enough to direct their feet consistently.  With humans, it's always a guessing game. Sometimes, we are in charge, for example, walking down the aisle and not letting the horse sniff the other horses in the barn. But the next moment, we wrestle the sliding door and leave the horse in charge of himself without direction. That's why human leadership is a gamble for the horse. When we lead or direct, we are a leader, but when we drop our attention and intention, we leave our horse leaderless.  What if we leave the word leadership behind and find a new way to describe an ideal relationship with our horse? Join me. This episode wrote itself and clarified our relationship with hoses and dogs.  Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/leadership-or-conscious-connection

Spraying, peeing, pooping out of the box? There is a reason for it. Any unexpected or undesired behavior from your animal is a cry for help. How do you prevent or change litterbox issues?  By having a chat.  I'll chat about it in this episode.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/78-spraying-other-out-of-the-box-issues

Do you know those moments when it feels like life is running you instead of you running your life? When that happens, our animals often step in ... literally ... to help us.   One night, Shana, my mare, took me aside. I was mucking the run-in shed, chop-chop-chop, when Shana stepped between me and the pitchfork. She brought her face close to my chest, lifted her head high, and then moved her head sideways from above the left shoulder over the crown to my right shoulder. She stepped back and took a breath. After another breath or two, she again brought her nose to my solar plexus area. I sensed she was working on my breath, opening the channels so I could breathe more deeply.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/77-receiving-animal-healing

I let the beautiful gleaming sunlight shine upon me as I took in the truly magical cloud formation.  And right then, a shiver ran through my body. From the top of my head down to my tail. I was realigning. Do you know that feeling? When your body does a little shiver? When energy runs up or down your spine? And then came the crazy bit. As I oscillated between "I feel balanced" and "kind of am ready to go back to my book," I got a message. “We do not have to make those moments so sacred that we don't feel they're part of our normal world.” Whaaaaat?  Listen to this episode to understand how you can get daily alignments of your nervous system. By following love and joy. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/76-getting-a-natural-alignment

Like many older dogs I communicate with, why is our dog Scout suddenly more sensitive and reactive to energies? When I asked Scout, he told me, "Because our bodies are hurting." He explained that when their body hurts, everything else becomes ‘another thing' that needs to be dealt with. If one has chronic pain, any little thing stacks on top of the stress caused by it.  So, what can we do for our animals?  We can look at the five areas that make up our life and reduce the stress and overwhelm. Listen in to learn more about how you can help your furry companions. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/75-is-stress-stacking-up

When I see Rollie shake,  I make eye contact, and with that, I say, I see you. If he does not reach out, I will offer him my hand so he can communicate with me. If he gives me a lick, I know he knows I know. If he is motionless aside from the shakes, I will put my hand on his neck and stroke slooowly down the spine. A beautiful way to remind him of his body. This podcast is less about the shakes and anxiety for Rollie or my dad but an insight into seeing and hearing others. Being seen and heard is the most powerful gift we can give.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/my-dog-has-the-shakes-and-other-notes

Due to popular demand … another pearl of wisdom from Bennett.  In one of my conversations with Kathy, it was now mid-summer, she told me that Bennett had gotten very assertive around the hand grazing. On the way to the barn, he pulled her toward the grass. Kathy's pulling back resulted in the classic push-pull situation in which no one wins. It was unusual how much effort he suddenly put into it.  When Bennett did it again the next day, Kathy got mad. What was up with this horse? Why was he suddenly so forceful? Kathy, who has also re-learned to communicate telepathically with animals, finally asked Bennett what was happening with him. And she was as surprised about the answer as I was. Listen in to hear Bennett's explanation. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/we-have-a-herd-schedule

My friend Kathy and her horse Bennett rode up to the pole and parked parallel. Bennett came to a stop but got antsy the minute Kathy leaned over to get the jacket. He jigged in place, and nothing Kathy tried made him come to a quiet halt.  I told Kathy, "You know what, I don't think he knows why you lean off to the side. Have you told him?"  Kathy said, well, I always have the obstacle course in my mind, and sent him pictures of it. And I tell him before the ride what we do, like today we're doing obstacles." I felt Bennett was more particular. He needed details so he could be part of the exercise.  So I said to Kathy, "You got to give him specifics. Like, Hey Bennett, for us to get good scores at this obstacle, you have to stand still while I get the jacket." There is a place between "good boy, good boy, good boy" and a mile-long ramble. Find the golden middle. Did it work out for Kathy and Bennett? Listen to this episode. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/more-details-please

Sometimes, a podcast just comes to me. I record, and then during the edit, I realize the power of the words behind it. This podcast, #71, tells you everything you need to know to start utilizing everything you have ... your Body, your Mind, and your Intuition. It's all here in a nutshell. If you are ready to live your best life yet, listen in! Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-body-your-gateway-to-intuition

Mr. Willoughby, the handsome Golden Retriever, sat up again, scooted himself over to the right to be near his person, and put his face into the man's hand. "Now he is concerned about you," I said. He wants to know how you will deal with losing him. He says that his leaving marks the end of an era. He had hoped to be part of the next move but realized it was time for him to move on, more precisely, out of his body. I asked Mr. Willoughby if he wanted to share anything with his person to ease the pain of losing him.  "If I release you, you can release me," the dog expressed.  "That is my gift to you. Mr. Willoughby continued. "You took great care of me and my sister. This is my gift to you, please accept it." Well, bring on the tissues ​as you listen to this episode. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/half-in-half-out

Who knows you Best? You might have expected the answer … your animals know you best. I went out to feed the horses the morning of my leaving for a three-day trip to visit clients. I didn't like going away for more than one night, but ... two nights it was. When Shana turned her head toward me, showing me her left eye, I stopped. It was not only swollen shut, but it was the size of a golf ball. On my drive to Massachusetts, Shana popped into my awareness. With her came the words: "You can zip this whole trip up in two days." She showed me a visual of the map and the location of two clients I could cancel and, with that, shorten my trip. Listen to how the story unfolded and how our animals not only know us best but want the best for us. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/who-knows-you-best

No matter if you are a horse person or prefer smaller animals. This episode is for everyone who wants a peek into what it means to be a team player. Here are some gems from the episode.x Steam took me back to the jumping arena, where he had refused to ride with the young girl. He said, "I want to make the rider look good. That is part of my job. And I can't do that in that environment with tight turns and little time to gather myself up between jumps." Steam's person also mentioned that he had a little fit at a recent outdoor show while ridden by the pro. Steam immediately replied, "Yes, she was getting too serious." He showed me that he was sometimes a goofball. And that he sometimes had to let off some steam. So if his rider got too serious and held her breath too much in her chest, he helped her blow off steam by changing the energy with shenanigans. Listen to the episode to immerse yourself with me in more shenanigans. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/teaming-up

And suddenly, I saw a dolphin, swimming along in the slipstream of the boat. Then a second dolphin popped up and jumped over the white-crested waves, the boat was creating. The first dolphin now arched over a wave and dove down on the other side, while the other sped up from his lagging position to catch the next wave. I was mesmerized. These two beautiful beings, one with the water. Arching over it, dropping into it, gliding through it. For a split second, I thought to grab my phone but didn't. It's always a choice in those moments. Do I want to be fully in the experience or do I want to capture it to experience it later on second hand? Listen to this episode and sync up with dolphin energy! Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/synching-up

Before you leave on vacation, breathe deeply, explain to your animals what is going on when. And have a joyful heart as you drive out the driveway.  Fast forward. Depending on your trip, you will be utterly relaxed, super stressed, or something in-between as you drive home. In this podcast I share how I consciously integrated our family after us being apart for a long weekend. This podcast will inspire you to prepare yourself and your family for the homecoming from a vacation, business trip, or festivity.   Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/welcome-home-everyone

As you know by now, I am a big fan of speaking with your animal in plain old English. Talk to your animal in short precise sentences.Why?To give your animals a chance to wrap their minds around your request. We are not used to treating animals as a being that needs to understand. Nobody teaches us that. As a child, we might tell the animal anything, the how, the why, and everything in between, because we see the animal as our special friend and equal with whom we share everything. But as adults, we feel almost silly to talk to our animals that way. When I give my clients verbal suggestions to use with their animals, clients often ask me, “Do you want me to say that out loud?”YES, I do. I want you to explain and talk and share out loud what you are about to do, where you are going, and what is on the docket for the day. Now ... some animals, usually the confident ones, require a little extra step. They not only want to know what is going on but WHY? Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/talk-about-the-why

I got an email from a dear client. Her horse, Gem, had sliced her leg, and they needed an emergency call to discuss the situation. During our call, Gem said, “Instead of coming with concern, my person can come to the barn and ask, “How do we activate the healing today?”  Gem explained, “You bring your knowledge (light therapy and Reiki), and I will bring my wisdom.” Amazing, right?  This horse basically said, hey, why don't we focus on how to meet me and my wound in the now by saying, “How do we activate the healing today?” and then each gets to apply the tools, skills, and wisdom we have to make it happen.  Genius. But there is so much more to the story. Gem took us on tour through the Universe, showing us that healing power resides in you too! Listen in to open up your healing channel. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/you-are-a-channel-of-magnified-healing

Scout and the bear had an invisible, energetic standoff. I quietly moved closer to see what Scout was looking at. Scout turned his head left to take one quick look at me. The moment he did, the bear ran out of the woods across the driveway, and down the embankment. Listen to more bear encounters in this episode. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/living-with-bears

Harry, the horse, spoke up.       He said, “You need to know your herd members well enough to know how to prepare them for clients.” Let me repeat what Harry said, “You need to know your herd members well enough to know how to prepare them for clients.” He continued, “Who do you take care of in the moment when the client and the horse both have needs?” Join me as I share more from this conversation in this episode. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/do-you-know-your-herd

When I tuned inThe first words that came out of the cat's mouth were,“I like my name. Because I am a Cheetah.” I said, “You are like a Cheetah?”“Yes,” he said, “like a wild cat.” Oh, the irony. Though I had seen a few pictures of him sitting on a sofa and a window sill, his person reported that Cheeto, his real name, mostly hid under the sofa. She had just recently rescued him from a local shelter. He was part of a hoarding situation. As his person shared this with me, I felt myself into the little guy. He was not small in stature, but he felt so small inside. More like a kitten than a cat. Especially a wild cat.  I asked Cheetah, who was now balanced, “Why do you hide under the sofa?” “Your house is too big,” I said to the woman.“He doesn't know how to navigate this much space without his posse.”  Understanding the cat's point of view helped bring out the Cheetah in this cat. Listen in to understand what it means to adopt a cat from a hoarding situation.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/i-am-a-cheetahhhh

I don't get to chit-chat with farm animals all that often. Chatting with pigs and piglets opened my eyes to their utilitarian point of view and their deep compassion for each other. If you enjoy hearing the animal's point of view, this episode is going to surprise you.  Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/60-chats-with-pigs

It is one thing to make the call to euthanize our beloved animal when the signs are clear. When the signs are wishy-washy, it is so much harder. We have to consider the level of comfort for our specific animal. In this episode, we'll hang out in the delicate space in front of the veil separating life and death. This space is sacred and fleeting. We do not get to hang out in it for long before things change. Having this moment, when the cat and her person shape their journey, is beyond valuable. It will allow for their relationship to come to a close while it is also a portal for what's to come.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/time-to-let-go-1

In order to connect to the depth of the soul, we have to give the mind a break. These days our mind has so many opinions about everything. Have you ever noticed how your mind takes over? Let's be real. I love a good mind, but too often, the mind is a party pooper. When we were young, our mind was an explorer. We were open and curious about the life around us. Nowadays, our mind thinks it knows it all. It is rarely curious. Let's change that. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/how-to-live-a-soulful-life

Can I MAKE them Listen? Not really.  But, during our chat, we will learn about the reason behind a particular behavior and a way to resolve the behavior. Telling the animal to STOP or CHANGE a behavior is not a tried and true way to communicate in mindful and meaningful ways. Listening and adapting are paths to a great relationship.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/can-i-make-them-listen

As you know by now, I am sharing animals' voices, opinions, insights, and needs. In each phone session or barn call, each podcast I record, and each article I write, I am expressing something the animals have taught us humans. Because of it, we get to understand our animals better and have a perspective on their life we wouldn't know without them sharing it with us. Experiencing a truth is one thing … standing in it and speaking it is a bigger task. Listen in as I share how standing in our animal's truth can be challenging, and also rewarding.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/stand-in-your-animal-s-truth

If you are an adult and still love horses you probably have one. Or you work with horses, or you take care of horses. And, like so many of us, the moment we engage with horses as adults, we lose a little bit of the girl-like quality we brought to the barn when we were younger.  In this episode, I invite you to go back to that feeling and the energy you brought to the barn when you were young. I share how you can connect with the horses the way you did when you were young!  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/horse-crazy-girls

I bet you are an animal communicator. You might not have a shingle out, but you speak with and speak up for your animals regularly.  Listen as I describe what we think of as animal communication (telepathic communication) and what it means beyond that definition. You might recognize yourself and feel affirmed. And … you might also hear a few ideas that will spark you to explore more and go deeper into animal communication. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/do-you-communicate-with-animals

​In recent months, I have been driving up and down the highways quite a bit​ , and I would see five, six, seven, and sometimes eight hawks. ​ One day, I told one of the hawks," I love it that so many of you are making yourself visible. And I wonder if there is a reason behind it?" The hawk answered, "We're friends along the way." With the words came feelings of heartfelt energy and a visual that showed me that the birds were aware of my driving back and forth. I was not alone. I had friends along the way. And so do you! Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/my-wild-life

Instead of calling a dog aggressive, I rather call them unhinged. Being aggressive sounds like a personality trait. It sounds like a label … s/he is aggressive as if there is no other way for the dog to be. Unhinged means not being attached where it really counts, much like a door. It means the animal is unbalanced. And that means there are ways for us to help the animal to move from unhinged back to hinged.  To come back from unbalanced to balance.  Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/is-your-dog-unhinged  

Snap, a Quarter Horse, had gone through a big transition. He had moved from one person to another and mentioned that a big change like this, changing his person, was something he needed to work through his body. He needed a chakra balance to fully integrate the past, present and new future into his body and energy field. He was ready to teach us about the importance of integrating life changes on a cellular level. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/coping-with-a-new-family