Animal communication as a field has greatly expanded in recent years, and especially since I first started practicing in the field almost 20 years ago. 

This is a wonderful development, with more and more people becoming aware that this way of communicating with animals and all life is a natural ability that we all share, and that we can uncover it and begin to remember how to use it.

With this expansion of awareness and understanding has also come a proliferation of people who are entering the field of animal communication. 

Though this is an ability that we all share, there are times when it is really helpful, and sometimes necessary, to have some help with understanding our animal companions. 

A highly skilled, trained, and ethical animal communicator can be an important part of a team of professionals who can help you to better understand your animal friends. 

Just as in any profession, there is a variety of competence and skill in the animal communication world.

In this video and post, I talk about 5 things to think about when choosing a professional animal communicator. 

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Professional Animal Communicator

1. Training.

Since animal communication is a non-traditional career path, there are many ways that people become professional animal communicators. 

Though intuitive communication is a natural way of relating to animals and all life, and that ability is innate in us, learning how to use the ability clearly and accurately, in a skillful way, without interjecting human ideas, projections, or assumptions, is something that must be developed. 

Learning how to use interspecies communication in a professional, accurate, clear way to assist animals and their human companions almost always requires some kind of training and mentoring. 

This can be in the form of classes, workshops, online training and certification programs, apprenticeship, solo study and practice, and often, a combination of all of these. 

I’ve found that the most skilled animal communicators in the field have often studied, trained, and practiced for many years before hanging out a “professional” shingle. 

2. Experience.

Experience can also be important when choosing an animal communicator. Though as in any profession, someone new to the field may be excellent in their work, and someone who has had many years of experience may not be as skilled, experience is one of the factors that may be important to investigate when choosing an animal communicator. 

A good animal communicator will present their training and experience honestly and accurately. 

3. Ethics.

It is important to choose an animal communicator who adheres to strong ethical guidelines. Some of these include: 

• Only engaging in a communication upon request and with permission of both the animal and the human involved. 
• Clearly communicating about policies, consultation protocols, and how they work with regard to their time, fees, and scheduling.
• Honoring each client and their animal companion as individuals with their own path and ability to make choices and decisions in their lives
• Understanding their scope of practice, and referring to other trained professionals as appropriate
• Not diagnosing or recommending that you add or change any medication unless they are also a trained veterinarian. 

I’ll spend a little more time on this one because it is important. An animal communicator may be helpful with physical conditions and illness in the following ways: 

• Describing symptoms from the animal’s point of view and experience
• Communicating with the animal about procedures and treatment protocols and helping them to understand 
• Communicating with the animal about their viewpoints, wishes, and experiences with various treatments and options, allowing them to be a partner in some decisions 
• Suggesting supportive modalities that may be helpful for your animal (while recognizing that it is always your choice your choice what to do)
• An animal communicator may also suggest that you get a second opinion from another veterinary professional, but as always, that decision and followup is your choice

Be very cautious if an animal communicator tells you what you must do, makes a diagnosis, recommends a change in treatment without being in partnership with your veterinarian, or if they promise to cure or heal your animal. 

There is a Code of Ethics that was written by Penelope Smith that is often referred to as an ethical standard in the field.

This is the Code of Ethics that I have developed for the students in my Professional Animal Communication Certification Program:

Ethical Guidelines for Practitioners of Animal Communication and Animal Energy Work by Nancy Windheart 

4. Compatibility

it’s important to find an animal communicator that you feel comfortable with. You may be discussing really important, deep, private, emotional issues with them, and you want to work with someone you can really trust and feel comfortable with. 

This will vary for everyone, and the animal communicator that is a great fit for one person may not be a great fit for you. Read their website, watch videos or read articles and books they may have written, and see what YOUR intuition tells you about this person. Stay in touch with your feelings as you have your first session, and notice if this person and the way they work feel like a good fit for you. 

Many animal communicators also practice other kinds of supportive modalities such as Reiki, Flower Essence therapy, Healing Touch, Tellington Touch, acupressure, etc. If you are looking for these particular kinds of support for your animal, you can also look for someone who is skilled in using these in addition to the communication. An ethical animal communicator will communicate how these additional modalities may be helpful, and how they are supportive, but not the same as, direct animal communication. 

Also notice your animal’s response during the session, and afterwards. A good communication session will often be noticeable in the animal’s responses and energy, both during and after the communication. 

Ask for recommendations from people that you trust; do your own investigation, and then trust your inner knowing. 

5. Educate Yourself

Find out all you can about what animal communication is, how it works, and what it can and cannot do. This will make you an educated client, and help you to understand this beautiful modality that can help to create deeper and more harmonious relationships with you and your animal companions. 

To learn more about animal communication, visit the Free Resources page.

You may schedule a consultation with Nancy here.

See the Professional Certified Animal Communicators Nancy has trained here.