Christine Barfield, owner of Fern and the Fox, uses energy healing practices to strengthen connections between pets and their owners and help animals heal from past trauma.
Christine Barfield can help ease animals’ anxieties using techniques she learned as an animal Reiki practitioner.
She is the owner of Newmarket-based “The Fern and the Fox”, a business that aims to create connections between pets and their owners through energy healing practices.
“Ever since I was a little girl I had a bond with animals and followed my instincts,” Barfield said. “I’ve had dogs all my adult life and I’ve always understood and felt a deep connection with dogs.”
Her signature Personal Energy Techniques program is designed to help animals by providing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual relief to animals who exhibit anxious behaviors, suffer from past trauma, have been rehomed multiple times, are physically ill or suffer from illness.
She uses energy therapies such as Reiki, communication, past life therapy and integrated energy therapy with dogs, cats and horses.
Barfield helps rescued pets adjust to their new homes, helps pets who have been with their families for a while to ease stress, and also helps pets deal with separation anxiety when their owners have to be away for a while.
“We help your pet feel safe and secure within themselves so they aren’t confused or stressed when you go to work,” Barfield says. “This takes some time because behavioral issues can be deep-rooted and may require several sessions.”
Tracy Lee, a client of the program, has a cocker spaniel-poodle mix named Bailey who gets anxious when left alone, and Barfield has been able to calm him down.
“She did the treatment on Bailey and gave me a rollerball,” Lee says, “and when I go out, I put this essential oil on Bailey’s head. I don’t know how it works, but if I put it on before I go out, Bailey is so calm that he doesn’t come to the door with sad eyes.”
According to the International Association of Reiki Practitioners, Reiki therapy produces a relaxation response and promotes a state of mind and body conducive to healing. Reiki therapy includes symptom relief and treatment of the physical causes of health conditions.
According to the association, Reiki healing involves mental, emotional and spiritual unblocking and rebalancing, helping to get to the root cause of symptoms, get you back on track and create the optimal environment in which the body can heal.
“I’m trained in a variety of energy modalities, including Animal Reiki, Healing Touch and Integrative Animal Therapy,” Barfield says, “and I choose which ones I do, but I’m also an essential oil therapist, so I use essential oils for calming purposes.”
Animals experience calmer, less anxiety and stress, and less pain and discomfort, and owners receive practical guidance and tools to provide ongoing support for their animals.
“I’ve become more aware of Bailey and her needs,” Lee says. “I feel more connected to her and now I feel more comfortable leaving her alone.”
Barfield holds certifications as a Reiki Master, Animal Reiki Practitioner, Level 1 Akasic Records Practitioner (Past Life Therapy), Level 2 Integrated Energy Therapy Practitioner, Aromatherapy Specialist, and Level 1 Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner.
She also runs an online shop where she offers a curated collection of crystals and essential oil sprays for people and animals seeking calm, abundance, serenity and joy.
For more information, visit www.thefernandthefox.com
