GRACIAS JULIETTA!

It was Julietta, my 6 year old paint mare, who helped me to discover that I can communicate with animals. One summer morning in 2006, I went out to the barn to find Julietta with her lower lip hanging oddly. I could feel her distress and knew instantly that something was very wrong. I sensed that her jaw was broken but the local veterinarians disagreed. One said she had probably just bitten her tongue, and another said she might have a hairline fracture of the jaw, but nothing to worry about.

Since they were the professionals, I deferred to their judgment. After 5 days of feeling Julietta's suffering, however, I loaded her up and took her down the mountain to the university vet hospital. There, x-rays revealed that her jaw was indeed broken on both sides and needed major surgery in order to heal. It was a painful, profound lesson for me about trusting my own inner wisdom. I had known she was seriously hurt the minute I had seen her that morning, but had mistrusted myself in the face of what seemed more scientific assessments.

Several weeks later, I met with intuitive teacher Paula Vaughan, about my nagging feeling that there was some "other work" I was supposed to do in this lifetime. I had been actively searching for it ever since my youngest son had left for college 5 years earlier. I knew this work would involve the spiritual realm, which has always been my passion, but I still wasn't sure what it was.

As she sat with me picking up impressions, Paula commented on my deep connection with the animal kingdom. She pointed out that my ability to understand animals is a real gift, and scientific in its own way. My connection with animals has been such a natural part of my life that I hadn't thought of it as a special ability.

As far back as I can remember, I was always happiest out in Nature connecting with whatever animals or insects were around. When I was a little girl, I spent all my spare time climbing trees, and playing with toads. In high school, I used to walk around with my waist encircled by Hud, a dazzling indigo snake that I had trained to go through my belt loops and hang out. My passion for animals has continued through adulthood, raising goats and Scottish Highland cattle over the years, as well as the horses, dogs and birds that form part of our family.

Paula told me that I had the ability to be an excellent animal communicator. Like so many great answers, it seemed very obvious once she said it, and absolutely thrilling. As we explored it over the next week, I realized that this was indeed the "other work" I'd been sensing and seeking. In fact, looking back now, most of my life seems to have been preparation for this work.

Instinctively, I had given myself the perfect training. Twenty-five years of contemplative prayer, meditation, and yoga taught me how to listen for Spirit's messages. The years I spent studying with Sobonfu Some taught me to connect with the spiritual essence in everything. My Spirit Guides have helped me feel the transparent but strong connection we have with all other life forms, here on Earth and on other planes.

With all of that background in place, I was ready for a mentor to help me hone my skills. Paula showed me how to use the healing energy that comes through my hands, so that now when I feel the physical issues an animal is dealing with, I can actually help with it. She gave me a format for gathering information, a way to channel the gifts I carry.

With her encouragement, I practiced with many different animals, both in their presence and over a distance, and it went extremely well. From the beginning, owners reported a positive difference in their pet's demeanor; they seemed happier, relieved, and carefree. The insights gained from our sessions addressed many of the owner's concerns and worries about their animals as well, thus improving and deepening the relationship with their animal.

There's no greater feeling than doing what you're born for. It's a joyful privilege to serve the animal kingdom by facilitating communication and understanding between species. I will always be indebted to Juietta for guiding me to this place. She also told me she wants to have a baby, so it looks like we'll be welcoming a foal in the near future!