My name is Marty Abdo and I am a Friday morning shift volunteer. One of my several passions in life is a therapy method called Reiki. I have a business offering Reiki long distance to people and animals in need of relaxation, pain relief and emotional balance.
I was introduced to Reiki over 20 years ago, while I was completing massage school. Years later I received my Reiki Masters certificate from Reiki Master, Melinda Kaur. In early December 2019, I was feeling a strong calling to be around and give to horses in need. I did some research online and quickly determined that SAFE was the best at what they did — providing love and rehabilitation and adoption for abandoned and abused horses. I knew from the first day that this was the place for me to be, in order to heal from life’s daily challenges and offer relief to those we all unconditionally love, the SAFE horses.
Some of you may already know, but many ask, “What is Reiki? How does it work? What are the benefits?” The following quote and fun facts are from an article in www.medicalnewstoday.com by Tim Newman:
“Reiki is a form of therapy commonly referred to as energy healing. It emerged in Japan in the late 1800s and it said to involve the transfer of the universal energy from the practitioners’ palms to their patient. Energy medicine aims to help the flow of energy and remove blocks in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure. Reiki is not an alternative treatment for medical issues but an adjunctive therapy that can help support healing and increase a feeling of well-being.”
Fast facts on Reiki
- Reiki is a form of energy therapy
- Despite skepticism in some circles, it is growing in popularity
- It involves the transfer of energy by laying on hands
- Reiki’s advocates say it can treat many conditions and emotional states
- Small studies show that Reiki can slightly reduce pain, but no studies have shown that it is effective in treating any diseases
- Some hospitals in America and Europe offer Reiki, but insurance rarely covers it
During the spring of this year, I approached Terry as she was working on taming Artie. I asked her if she was familiar with Reiki and if I could offer this alternative therapy to the horses. Terry granted me permission. Since then, each Wednesday I check in with Terry for updates on the horses. After my Friday chores, I spend a half hour to an hour giving to those in need. Since spring, I have worked on several horses at SAFE: Artie, Buddy, Banner, Cyrus, Wind, Slim, Sunny, Tilt, Jill and Millie. When I offer Reiki to the horses, I direct the energy to the areas of concern in hopes of bringing relief and comfort. From my own personal observations, I quickly notice relaxation in the form of licking, closing of eyes and hanging of the head. I have had Banner offer me his injury and stand still for ten minutes. I text my observations to Terry after each weekly session. As a reminder, Reiki is seen as a nice adjunct to all the medical attention that is provided by SAFE. Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment. I may not be able to prove that Reiki heals the beautiful creatures that we all care for but I can say with certainty that the unconditional love I feel and receive from them, when I am in their presence, has definitely added to the healing of my soul.
Thank you, SAFE, for allowing me this amazing opportunity to give back each week via Reiki, both hands on and long distance. Warmly, Marty Abdo
