Joliet center offers alternative healing for pets

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A reiki master performs reiki on Jack, a 5-year-old Pomeranian, at HS Healing and Wellness Center in Joliet. | Submitted by HS Healing and Wellness Center

Updated: October 7, 2011 12:21AM

Jack, a 5-year-old miniature Pomeranian, pronounced himself protector of Sandy Gerrettie’s family.

Unfortunately, possessiveness and aggressiveness accompanied Jack’s mindset, a big no-no when elderly parents and two other dogs share the household and when grandchildren are frequent visitors.

So after obedience training failed, Jack’s owner, Sandy Gerrettie, owner of HS Healing and Wellness Center in Joliet tried reiki instead and achieved fabulous results.

“He’s a different boy now,” Gerrettie said. “He’s calmer and more lovable. Before, he didn’t like to snuggle; he wanted to be left alone. Now he doesn’t feel he has to be the protector. He’s just peaceful little Jack.”

Reiki is a spiritual practice that claims to move healing energy from the palms of the person initiating it to the recipient. Touching is not mandatory and the reiki master can perform the movements with the client lying on a table or sitting in a chair. Most people prefer lying down, Gerrettie said.

Human sessions at HS Healing and Wellness Center last 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Clients often report feeling warm and tingling during the procedure. Others feel a “rushing” sensation, beginning at the head and out the feet.

“Reiki is about helping the person open up and release all the negativity our bodies pick up from other people,” Gerrettie said. “Reiki helps us to clear our minds and be whole and healthy so we’re able to help other people.”

Gerrettie recently introduced pet reiki at the HS Healing and Wellness Center.

Its benefits apply to many species, she said, including dogs, cats, ferrets, birds and rabbits. Reiki is just as effective for pets as it is for humans, even when physical illness or sadness, as opposed to anger, is the animal’s troubling issue.

During Jack’s treatment by reiki master Judy LeGrand, Jack sat still for 25 minutes, calm, eyes closed, no barking.

“I have a picture on Facebook that actually shows the aura around his head,” Gerrettie said.

If Gerrettie needed any proof that Jack’s initial treatment was successful, she received it the other day when a frequent target of Jack’s incessant barking walked past the Gerretties’ house.

“Jack did not bark at the man, and he did not growl,” Gerrettie said. “He only took a deep breath, so I patted him on the head and said, ‘Good boy.’ ”

The center also offers merchandise, yoga classes, support groups and educational seminars. For more information, call 815-741-4386.