Looking forward to connecting with Animal Shelters in the area to bring this program to the animals.
Reiki for Shelter Animals – The PHUR Program active since 2008
The PHUR program was created in 2008 to bring healing and a voice to shelter animals. It was incredibly successful on many levels and the shifts in the animals was profound. We also experienced people feeling immense heart joy and stress relief from being in Circle with the animals. The effects of these gatherings engaged so many levels of healing and sharing.
The program has been reborn at Pope Memorial Humane Society (Cocheco Valley) in Dover NH taking place on the first Friday of each month at 4-6pm facilitated by Michelle McEwen. The shelter is excited to bring this program into their enrichment program. If you are interested in attending keep reading this page for more information and contact Michelle to RSVP.
What is the PHUR Program?
PHUR (Provide Healing Using Reiki) was created by Michele Lowry in 2008 to give Reiki volunteers the opportunity to come together, create a sacred space for shelter dogs, cats and other animals to heal from trauma, bring stress relief and interaction with a voice through communication and sensory experiences.
This monthly workshop begins with a meditation, and then one dog at a time is brought to the healing circle. These dogs bring a variety of emotional, behavioral and physical concerns that can be addressed and supported offering pure, loving energy. The dogs will often receive a healing from the person of their choice. And spend as much time as they need in this safe, healing space. They may choose to run and play, lay with people in the circle, sleep and interact in whichever way they need. We ensure a safe experience for all concerned and the dogs well being is of the utmost importance during this sessions.
This loving group of volunteers has laughed, cried and seen incredible releases and profound healings during these sessions.
The History of the PHUR Program
In 2008, Michele began a relationship with the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, ME. Once a week Michele volunteers her time offering Reiki and Animal Communication to connect to any emotional or physical concerns that require healing and also asking the dogs what their ideal forever home will be.
Michele has worked with many dogs. She is able to provide healing, work on behavioral issues to find its root cause, and offer the shelter additional options for creating emotional change in the dogs. These dogs release any ‘baggage’ from their previous experiences.
Many stories will be shared on this page of dogs who have shared their experience with Michele and have found their forever home. Through the Reiki work Michele has found dogs who are depressed, confused or sometimes even happy to be out of a previous environment. She has worked with dogs who have aggressive issues and has been able to communicate with them to find out why and how they may be helped, whether they are in pain, or need to spend time in quieter areas of the shelter, or with the staff. Michele has also worked with dogs who had illnesses ‘brewing’ in their body and the staff were able to provide medical evaluation and veterinary care for them.
Michele has found that through her energy work and tracking each dog in a log, recording how the dogs improve physically and emotionally, the shelter is able to track their adopted families. Many dogs have gone to a home that they had asked for which creates so much opportunity for this work to continue.
The AWS has been so incredibly supportive and Michele receives emails, like this one:
“I wanted to tell you about Zeus that you had worked on. I noticed a big change in him right after that. He started showing joy and was happy to go out with volunteers and come to class. I heard he got a really good home. So I wanted you to know that it was a big difference after being with you.”
-Kim
Michele worked on a Pitbull who exhibited extreme aggression with those she did not know when in her kennel. Once out of her kennel she was incredibly sweet. During a Reiki session Michele was able to gain a lot of information from the Pitbull, including a request for a name change and her desire to spend time with the staff. A week later the Pitbull had greatly improved and her interaction with people was much calmer.
Doja had been at AWS a very long time, when Michele went to see her she was in a quiet outside kennel, but it felt like she was hidden (her choice). Michele took her to where she offered Reiki to the dogs and began to work with her. She had cloaked herself in a veil. This veil protected her from being seen and therefore being adopted. She lacked self confidence and didn’t feel she was worthy of a being adopted. The Reiki and communication provided an opportunity for her to remove energy blockages, rebalance her emotionally, and clear the veil. When Michele returned the following week, Doja had been adopted!
Working with Shelter dogs creates a whole new environment for energy work as they are in transition and require a gateway to their forever home. They will wrench at your heart, or provide you with an opportunity to offer healing. Some, like one-eyed Jack, were movin’ on! Ready for that next home, no interest in the past! He found a perfect match a week later. Michele believes that by writing down the experience with each dog she is creating an intention and through the energy work raises the dogs vibration so they may align and synchronize with their new owner(s).
In 2014, Michele began a relationship with the NHSPCA in Stratham, NH. Through weekly volunteer sessions, Animal Reiki workshops and the PHUR program, Michele is working closely with the Behaviorist and Trainer to bring a different level of healing for the animals at the shelter. Staff members have commented on the changes in these dogs as we work to release emotional blockages, physical issues and behavioral concerns. These dogs have been wonderful to work with. Check the calendar on both websites for upcoming opportunities to work with these animals.
Home or Barn Visits are Available: If you have adopted a shelter/neglected/abused animal, there is much that can be done to facilitate emotional, behavioral and physical healing. This is not something you have to ‘live with,’ it may take a little time but there are so many options available to provide a healing environment for both you and your dog.
Shelter Animals Need You!
If you are interested in bringing PHUR to your local shelter, contact Michele at nikoetherapies@proton.me