Interview with Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce and Industry
Animal Therapist, Ms Yuka Koreeda
Yuka Koreeda, is an Animal Healing Therapist and a Holistic Wellness Practitioner, based out of Oakville, just west of the Toronto metropolitan area. Here in Canada animal healing has been gaining favourable attention in recent years. Yuka moved to Canada from Japan with her family when she was in middle school. Adjusting to a new culture is not easy, and this move was especially challenging for Yuka since it was not her decision, let alone her sense of adventurous spirit that brought her and her family to Canada. It took time and effort for her to acclimatize to her new school and to overcome the language barrier. However, Yuka says Canada is now home. She has forged her own path by pursuing what she loves, both professionally and privately, and her bi-culture and bilingual skills helped her to pave out her own way. In this article, I asked her to relate interesting stories on her role as an animal therapist, how she heals pets and the type of clients she has.
(Interviewer: Ayumi Mito)
Can you explain what it means to be an Animal Healer Therapist?
The aim is to heal animals through holistic and preventative care therapy. I specialize in canine massage as well as Reiki and aromatherapy for pets. I also do Reiki and aromatherapy for human clients. I believe there are many people who may have heard the term “Reiki” but are not familiar with what it is. Originating from Japan, Reiki is an energy therapy and a relaxation method that has now been recognized as a valuable healing method around the world. It has been adopted by various medical center’s and hospitals. In Toronto, some hospitals practice Reiki, and in the US, places such as Yale University Cancer Center and Boston’s Brigham and Women Hospital have incorporated Reiki as part of their health and maintenance care.
Reiki or ‘Ki’ therapy effectiveness is not limited to humans but can be used to relax and heal dogs along with other animals. There have been concerns raised about the use of aromatherapy with animals. I have heard that one needs to be careful using aromatherapy even for personal use if you have a cat. I have also heard that it is dangerous to use essential oils on pets. Many people may think of aromatherapy as simply enjoying the scent. However, pure high- quality essential oils, can, if used properly, be effective for allergy relief, as well as maintaining hormonal balance. Also, depending on the cause, it can be useful for pain relief as well as reducing anxiety. The properties of essential oils are strong, and therefore, if using for therapeutic use, one needs to study it properly. When using essential oils for animals, it is significantly diluted first with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil. Essential oils which can be used on children or babies are used for the animals, which will be adjusted according to - the species, it’s body size, age, and physical condition.
How do you administer essential oils for animals?
We use a diffuser indoors. It is said that when you inhale the oil’s aroma, within 0.2 seconds, the scent molecules reach the brain, and this causes changes in one’s brain. Sometimes, depending on the symptoms or one’s purpose, you apply the essential oil topically or mix it with water or food.
It is important to choose high-purity and high-quality essential oils. Choosing the right essential oil is extremely important since some products will advertise itself as being 100% essential oil when it is not.
What made you decide to become an Animal Healer Therapist?
I have always loved animals and over the years have had various pets. But my interest to learn more about natural remedies and holistic healing was initially for my own personal use. I developed fibromyalgia while at University and have since endured many years of pain and insomnia. For my health, I have practiced Pilates, yoga, and dance, but through a friend’s recommendation
I began to balance my Ki. This included aromatherapy and Reiki, and the more I balanced my
Ki, the better I slept and was able to manage my pain. Until then, I had been taking 4 or 5 different medicines for my pain, but I no longer need them. I participated in the Reiki course offered by Ms. Mito. While the course was for administrating Reiki for humans, I heard that it could be effective on animals as well. I therefore tried it on my own pets, and it seemed to relax them. This is when I decided to also pursue studying how to heal animals.
I started my business as an animal healer therapist 5 years ago. I was originally trained as a pianist and worked as a piano teacher since graduating from the piano department of Western Ontario. While teaching music and piano, I would take courses related to healing and health and I also began offering treatments. After my marriage, and with the arrival of my second child, I took a break from teaching piano and have been focusing on holistic wellness and animal healing therapy.
Where did you study canine massage and animal Reiki?
There are many programs in the United States, Canada, and other places where you can learn and study about canine massage and acupressure I studied through the Holistic Touch Therapy School of Canine Massage and Acupressure in Texas, and from the Canine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy" program offered by Dr. Angelique Barbara in Florida.
For Reiki, I took a course called "Animal Reiki". Katheleen Prasad is a famous teacher in Florida who specialises in Reiki for animals and is the pioneer for Animal Reiki. I studied under Michelle Kyle who graduated from Ms. Prasad’s program. Michelle practices in rural Ontario and I attended her lectures, practiced, and as part of the practicum treated various different kinds of animals.
Is canine massage and holistic healing for pets popular in Canada?
For Japan, when one searches the internet for healing pets or therapy for animals the results end up about animals healing humans.
The United States and Europe are quite advanced in holistic healing for pets, and depending on the region, the practice is widespread. It is just starting to get noticed here in Canada and is spreading, especially around Toronto. While recognition is higher here in Canada than Japan, it is still behind Europe or the US where the qualification is under the jurisdiction of the government and there are insurance options that include holistic healing for pets.
Can you tell us more about your clients? What kind of animals and owners do you see the most?
Most are dogs, but I also see small animals such as cats, rabbits, and ferrets. Owners who engage their dogs in sports, such as dock diving and flyball, appear to be interested in holistic care for their dogs. I also see professional-trained dogs as well.
After training, they want their dogs to have a chance to relax their muscles, to get their bodies in shape through massage, chiropractic treatment as well as aromatherapy. Clients often come from having been referred to by canine sports facilities. There is also a lot of word of mouth.
Recently, veterinarians have began to adopt holistic healing practices, and provide information and advice to their clients, who then contact me. Like humans, dogs and cats also get arthritis and the pain intensifies as they get older. Therefore, many of my clients are "senior dogs.” I also see pets who were adopted from shelters who fear humans, which is likely due to stressful past experiences.
Where and how do you treat animals?
It is effective to do it in a place where the animals can be at ease. Therefore, an environment that they are accustomed to is best, which is why, as much as possible, I visit the owner house and perform the treatment there. I will sit together with the pet on the floor in the house or even outside. Aromatherapy is done indoors. Large animals such as horses and cows are treated in their usual stables.
When doing canine massage, I first conduct an analysis where I will observe how the dog moves and walks. Only after an assessment will I start the massage or acupressure treatment. Depending on the pet’s age and condition, I may even provide a gentle Swiss massage, shiatsu, or myofascial release. I also help them with stretching.
Reiki is effective even without physical touch. The animal will approach me while I send them Ki. They are receptive to receiving Ki and some have stayed for one hour. Cats often stay hidden at first and may only stay to receive Ki for 15 minutes. But it is important to recognize and respect the state of the animal and let them guide me.
Please tell us some of your memorable experiences, such as happy moments, some of the challenges, and unexpected surprises.
There was a case with an old German shepherd with arthritis. This dog use to sleep in the bedroom with its owner on the second floor. However, the arthritis had gotten so bad that the dog was no longer able to climb the stairs. This was upsetting the owner as well. After four weeks of massage and Reiki therapy, the dog was able to climb the stairs again and was even able to jump on the bed. I was very happy to receive a photo from the owner showing the dog happily sitting on the bed.
Another case was an 11-year-old rabbit named Ana. Ana was adopted 8 years ago from a shelter by her current owner. Her current owner has been devotedly caring for Ana, even providing Ana with her own private room. However, perhaps because of past trauma, Ana was extremely fearful of humans and whenever the owner entered her room she would bite or attack, leaving the owner unable to get close to her. The owner continued to do her best to take care of Ana but did miss being able to cuddle with her.
We decided to try animal Reiki. I started by sending Ki into Ana’s room from outside her door. Ana likely had sensed my presence, because when I opened her door, she approached me. She brought her nose close to my hand to smell, then calmly, without attacking, she retreated back into her room. That was our first session. The second time, I did a 40-minute Reiki session. This had a calming effect, and she seemed more relaxed. After this, Ana’s behaviour has changed drastically. Her owner can now hold her and pet her. This was something she was unable to do for 8 years. This was an experience that made me especially happy, and it is one that I will never forget.
Have you ever received a request which you had to decline?
I was asked if I could stop a dog’s biting habit through Ki (Laugh). It is possible to calm a situation through Ki, but dogs require proper training and learning.
Have there been unusual clients?
Yes, Fish. There was a request to help a fish in a home aquarium. Apparently out of the many fish, there was one fish that was always in a rage and swam violently. The owner hoped something could be done. I began Reiki and touched the aquarium, then, only that rampaging fish approached my hand, and seemly relaxed, stayed there for awhile. That was all I did, but according to the owner, that fish has not showed any signs of aggressive or violent behaviour since then. There are many animals and birds that become quiet when you send them Ki.
There was also a case with chickens. The chickens got angry and made noises whenever someone approached the chicken coop. However, after sending Ki for some time, they fell asleep.
This is interesting. Animals and humans react the same way. When you moved to Canada with your family when you were in middle school, I understand it was very difficult to learn English, but I think it is amazing how you have mastered and maintained a high proficient level of Japanese and English. How does your Japanese background influence your current job?
It was indeed hard when I first moved here (Laugh). But I am now comfortable living here and consider Canada my home. But of course, there are times when I realize I am still Japanese. My work happens to have strong ties with Japanese culture, from using therapy practices that originated in Japan, from the concept of Ki and the breathing method, as well as the calmness of mind through Zen-like approaches. All these remind me of the culture I was exposed to as a child, such as the calligraphy lessons I took. While working, I feel like I am returning to my roots and it all feels natural.
I feel that Canadians have taken the Zen-like approach with a positive attitude and will be willing to embrace and consider how we, as humans, as part of this existence, should connect with nature and animals.
Please tell us about your future projection.
Currently there are still many restrictions due to the Covid19 epidemic, but once we open up again, in addition to treatments, I would also like to hold workshops aimed at pet owners. I would like to inform and spread the significance of holistic pet health care practices, including techniques and methods. I plan on offering workshops to promote safe and effective essential oils at home, as well as just massages and Reiki courses.
I would like to spread the idea that pets are part of the family, and as we treat other humans, we should provide holistic and preventive care for our pets in addition to medical care. For example, rather than only going to the vet once the senior canine develops arthritis, we should provide them, from a young age, with adequate exercises and massages to promote a balanced wellbeing.
If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to contact me through the website. I am looking forward to connecting with Japanese and Nikkei people. Thank you.
With the increasing concept of pets as family members, and with the growing interest in pet ownership, especially during Covid19, the idea of preventive medicine and healing for pets seems like a natural trajectory. Thank you for your time today.
(Translator: Caitilin Griffith)
Oakville Reiki
Yuka Koreeda
Website: www.oakvillereiki.com
Information is also posted on Instagram and Facebook.
@Oakvilleanimalreiki