|
|
At least, they do if you ask Elaine Gallovic, a registered nurse and provider of craniosacral therapy and healing touch for pets.
Gallovic, a longtime volunteer for the Geauga Humane Society in Russell Township, shared her touch-centered philosophy with more than two dozen volunteers and cat lovers Wednesday night, in a demonstration on healing, soothing, and "full-body energy balancing" for pets.
"We're all in touch with energy," said Gallovic, explaining her work. "We feel it in our interactions with others every day. Simply rubbing our hands together creates an energy field, which we can use to help heal an animal."
The healing occurs by assessing whether the animal's chakras are blocked or open. A miniature pendulum is suspended over a known chakra, alerting the healer as to the state of the animal's holistic well-being.
"Their whole energy system should be flowing," Gallovic said. "The point behind this work is to become a healing presence for another. Calming an animal by working with its energy can help speed recovery, assist with behavioral issues, and even contribute to longevity."
Gallovic began her work with cats three years ago, although she also works with dogs.
"Cats are more spiritually evolved than dogs, but dogs don't care," she joked at one point.
Gallovic also advised volunteers to "set their intentions" before entering the collective cat adoption space at Rescue Village.
"How you interact with cats can affect them," she said. "Consciously controlling your energy to do the highest good will be helpful for both human and animal."
Several adoptable felines were used in the whole body-balancing demonstration, including cats named Ruby and Picky Sue. While Ruby proved uneasy before the crowd, Picky Sue, a long-haired, white-whiskered tiger cat with an extended muzzle like an affronted Frenchman, took well to Gallovic's ministrations, noticeably relaxing in her arms.
"I can't think of any situation with animals where touching of this kind isn't useful," Gallovic said, moving her hands across Picky Sue's back toward her head and heart.
She also cited the program from which she gained her training, Healing Touch for Animals, begun by Carol Komitor, a former veterinary technician, noting that local classes are available for potential students.
Brenda Donohue from Shaker Heights was an observer.
"I work at Case Western Reserve (University) in the Bioethics Department, so human and animal interaction is very interesting to me," said Donohue.
"I volunteer at the shelter a lot, and I know I've got some kind of interactive energy with felines.
"Attending this program is a way for me to find an applied system to understand that connection. Frankly, I can't see a down side to this process."
Gallovic was invited to Rescue Village as part of the shelter's overall goal of improving the lives of the animals there, said Corey Roscoe, public relations manager for the shelter.
"Elaine is here ... as part of our effort to do everything possible to ensure our adoptable cats' comfort as they wait for permanent homes," Roscoe said.
Gallovic has no doubt about the effectiveness of her work.
"One of my own cats was close to the end of her life," she recalled. "The vet had told us it was probably a matter of weeks before she passed away. I started treating her with full-body balancing, and she survived a full year beyond what the vet had predicted. This is a subtle process, but it's very powerful."
Those interested in learning more about healing touch for animals can contact Elaine Gallovic at (440) 256-1556.
