Sometimes, the most profound journeys are the ones we never plan. Angela Kearney’s path to holistic healing was one of them.
For nearly two decades, she built a career in magazine publishing and photojournalism, thriving in the high-pressure world of news and relentless deadlines. But the constant demands took their toll, leaving her exhausted and searching for something more.
Just as she began to reclaim a sense of balance, tragedy struck when her mother passed away unexpectedly. In the depths of her grief, Angela searched for meaning and clarity.
Amid the uncertainty, two tiny kittens arrived, not just as companions but as sources of comfort, purpose, and the unexpected promise of healing.
She couldn’t have known it at the time, but they would become the catalyst for an entirely new path. One that would change everything.
Angela Kearney, Holistic Therapist for People and Pets
Can you tell our readers about your background and how you became an animal healer?
After almost 20 years in corporate media, I was disillusioned and depleted. My life lacked balance and meaning, and I was quite unhappy. Change was long overdue.
Hoping to rediscover something of myself, I traveled, lived abroad, and unexpectedly found myself managing a Cuban salsa band, which took me from Havana to Moscow and back to London. I also began singing semi-professionally while running a successful Airbnb portfolio. It was an exciting and dynamic chapter of my life, but then everything changed. An important relationship ended badly, and soon after, my mother passed away suddenly.
In a relatively short space of time, my life was shaken by a series of significant events I was completely unprepared for. Mainstream healthcare approaches didn’t work, leading me to explore alternative ways to heal. I revisited Bach Flower Remedies, which had helped me recover from crushing heartbreak and professional disappointment many years before. Reiki was something entirely new to me, yet I felt instinctively drawn to its energy and potential. Subtle, non-addictive, and effective, I felt a positive shift and soon found myself in much calmer waters.
I also welcomed two adorable Bengal kittens into my life. At just 18 months of age, Rex was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. His neurologist prescribed lifelong medication, and I had concerns about the long-term effects on his health. I began looking for holistic options to help manage his condition, as I had done for myself. Before long, I was enrolled in an Animal Healing Diploma course, which changed my career and life path.
Why did you specialize in Reiki?
There was a decisive moment during the Animal Healing Diploma course when a group of dogs with a variety of physical and emotional issues participated in a meditation. Every dog in the room was totally relaxed, completely still, and free of pain and anxiety. Apart from occasional canine yawns and gentle snoring, you could have heard a pin drop.
Whatever was happening in that space, I knew it was incredibly powerful. As we conducted further sessions with different animals in a variety of settings, it became obvious to me that meditation was equally effective for many species, including all the humans in the room.
I had personally experienced the benefits of Reiki and sensed that it would be fantastic for animals. A Reiki practitioner can, but isn’t required to, place their hands on or even near the patient. For fearful, nervous animals who may also be in pain, Reiki allows them to experience safe, gentle healing without being handled or touched.
Animal Reiki is about connection, creating a calm, safe space where your pet can let go of stress, relax completely, and heal. This method of Reiki, Let Animals Lead®, I learned from its creator, Kathleen Prasad, founder of Animal Reiki Source®, when she was teaching in the UK during the summer of 2019.
Physical touch isn’t necessary for a successful Reiki session when the intention to help animals is heartfelt. The Let Animals Lead® method made so much sense to me and reinforced how I had worked intuitively with Rex to manage his epilepsy. Additionally, Reiki transcends space and time, allowing practitioners to connect with and support animals energetically, whether they are nearby or across the world. How incredible is that? I wanted to help other animals and their guardians in the same way.
Reiki is safe and gentle for all animals. It doesn’t hurt them, and there are no side effects.
Sharing Reiki with your pet is a beautiful bonding experience. Except for one very amorous pug, appropriately named Romeo, every animal I’ve worked with has been calm, relaxed, or asleep by the time the session concludes.
The healing potential of Reiki is unlimited, and who wouldn’t want that for their pets?
You also work with Bach Flower Remedies for animals. What issues do the remedies support, and how can they benefit animals?
Bach Flower Remedies work by balancing negative emotions and encouraging their positive potential. Emotional imbalance can affect mood, behavior, and general well-being, sometimes manifesting in physical symptoms.
The most common issues seen in our pets are fear, aggression, stress and overwhelm, separation anxiety, timidity, overexcitement and hyperactivity, jealousy, shock and trauma, and grief. Many animals also have difficulty adjusting to change. There are 38 remedies in the Bach system to choose from, or a bespoke mixed remedy can be created depending on the challenges your pet is facing. Some pet guardians will also be familiar with Bach Rescue Remedy, which helps restore calm in emergencies and periods of extreme stress.
The remedies are most commonly used for cats and dogs but work in the same way for small furries, farm animals, reptiles, birds, fish, and wild animals. By helping our animal friends find a greater balance of emotions, we see an improvement in unwanted behavior, which results in calm, happy animals. Very often, this also encourages improvement in any coexisting physical symptoms.
What are the similarities and differences between Reiki and Bach Remedies for animals?
Reiki and Bach Flower Remedies are powerful tools for animal well-being. They can be used alone, together, or alongside conventional treatment for a more integrative healing approach.
Similarities
Both Reiki and Bach Remedies take a holistic approach, addressing emotional, mental, and physical well-being. As energy-based healing systems, they restore balance without force or restraint, making them gentle and stress-free. They work alongside veterinary care without interfering with treatment and are particularly effective in easing stress, anxiety, and trauma in animals.
Differences
Reiki is an energy-based healing practice that can be performed in person or remotely, allowing universal life energy to flow where needed. In contrast, Bach Flower Remedies rely on the vibrational properties of plants and must be ingested or applied topically. Reiki works intuitively, while Bach Remedies are selected based on an animal’s emotional state. While Reiki often provides immediate relaxation, Bach Remedies may take time to show effects but can be stopped once balance is restored.
What is the difference between conventional and holistic treatment, and which do you think is best?
Conventional care focuses on treating specific diseases and associated symptoms, typically with pharmaceuticals, surgery, and scientifically proven treatments. Diagnosis is determined through laboratory testing, imaging, and other evidence-based evaluations.
In contrast, holistic treatment takes a broader approach, considering the physical, emotional, and environmental aspects of an animal’s life. It aims to support the body’s natural healing processes. Holistic vets look closely at lifestyle, diet, stress, and underlying imbalances rather than just symptoms. Complementary therapies such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, Reiki, and dietary modification may be suggested.
We rely on science to determine underlying health issues, but animals are so much more than a list of symptoms and test results. It is equally important to recognize the emotional and environmental factors that influence an animal's well-being. In my view, an integrative method that combines the best of both conventional and holistic care is the optimal way to support our beloved pets.
Do you offer any other services?
I offer a range of complementary services to support my clients holistically. My background in herbal medicine allows me to integrate medicinal herbs into healing plans, while my expertise in species-appropriate nutrition, backed by training in small animal nutrition and raw feeding, enables me to provide tailored dietary advice and even home-cooked meals for feline clients with chronic conditions.
Understanding animal behavior is crucial in many cases, and my studies with Oxford University in animal behavior, along with ongoing research in feline behavior, help me support both animals and their caregivers. Additionally, I provide pet bereavement counseling to guide owners through the difficult journey of loss. While these services are not the core of my work, they offer valuable, compassionate support to clients when needed.
Although we have been discussing animals, it is important to remember their guardians too. I also offer Reiki and Bach Flower Remedy consultations for humans.
What motivates you to do this work?
Many factors contribute to our pets' well-being, and when health issues arise, conventional treatment should always be the first step toward recovery. However, it is not always enough. When allopathic treatments have been exhausted, that is when complementary therapists and healers like myself are called upon to help.
Every animal deserves to live their best life, which goes far beyond basic food and shelter. Our pets need love, interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, and a safe, comfortable environment. Ideally, one that is clean, green, and enriching. A fresh, varied, species-appropriate diet is essential for their health and longevity. Obviously, a great veterinarian, preferably a holistic one, is important, as are regular check-ups.
Animals have emotions and needs just like we do, yet their cues are often missed or overlooked. I have always had a deep, intuitive sensitivity to their needs and feelings, which gives me a unique perspective on their experiences and allows me to connect with them on a profound level.
The greatest reward for me is seeing an animal not only improve in health and comfort but truly thrive. Knowing that I have played a part in their healing journey is what motivates me to continue this work.
Is there a specific part of your business you want to develop? What is next for Angela Kearney Healing?
Today, my focus is on helping pets live healthier, happier, and longer lives by supporting their well-being as a whole. It has been an unlikely journey. The transition from the world of media to holistic animal healing has been one of complete transformation, driven by a deep connection with animals, boundless curiosity, and a constant desire to learn. I am utterly fascinated by cats, some might say obsessed, and I continue to study feline behavior. So, it is only natural that feline health and well-being will take center stage in the future.
In the coming months, I will be sharing a series of articles on animal health and well-being, offering holistic insights and solutions to common concerns. If you would like to explore how holistic therapies can support your pet’s well-being, I would love to hear from you.
Visit here to learn more about my services, book a consultation, or browse my latest articles on animal health and healing. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Instagram for insights, updates, and real stories from the animals I work with.
Read more from Angela Kearney
