GOSHEN - When you ask Diane Novak about her work with animals she smiles. A wife, mother and a devoted pet owner, she has spent the last decade helping stray and abandoned animals find safe homes, educating people about the importance of pet sterilizations and volunteering at the Goshen Humane Society. She now works as a Reiki practitioner for horses, cats, dogs and other small animals because she said "I get to help make an animal's life better."

"I have a difficult time explaining Reiki", Novak said. "It' so unexplainable, I just do it. Just like you can't see, touch or hold the wind, but you know it's there. That's the way Reiki works too. It's an energy transmitted between living things. Novak has been working closely with Cindy Brody, a Reiki Master, energy worker and animal communicator, to offer a CinergE clinic next weekend. Participants will learn how to improve their horses' soundness and natural abilities while deepening the connection between horse and rider.

"CinergE" is Brody's combination of alternative treatments to promote self-healing. It integrates Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) with a range of complimentary therapies, such as energy balancing, kinesiology, deep tissue massage, acupressure, intuition and animal communication. Reiki, a Japanese word for universal life force energy, was created by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. It is the healing energy that flows through and out of the practitioner's hands.

Brody said the CinergE combination alleviates an animal's physical and mental strain. It can help heal muscle injury, back and joint pain, arthritis, and discomfort during pregnancy, and many also reduce an animal's stress and irritability and stimulate its immune system, she said. CinergE is used to treat all animals, young and old. Behavior problems are most often found in younger animals, and middle aged and older dogs are treated most often for pain relief, Brody said.

"What I do is find imbalances in the body and through touching", she said, "I break up that tightness, which enables a horse to move more comfortably."

Brody began practicing energy balancing 23 years ago and has been practicing Reiki for seven. At first she worked on people, but later, during the late 1980's, she tried the therapy on her horses and met with positive results. Working in animals is gratifying, Brody explained, because animals are less skeptical and more willing to accept the treatment.

Because she is unable to take on new clients, Brody presents workshops to teach pet owners how to treat their own animals.

"The best way I can help more horses is to teach other people to help their animals," she said. "Everyone has the talent and ability to do energy work. You just have to work at it, practice and improve your technique." She is currently working on an instructional video and writing a book.

Novak, who has been practicing Reiki for three years, agrees that anyone can learn and practice energy work. While learning to be a practitioner, both Novak and Brody say, it is important not to consider yourself a healer, but rather a facilitator of healing.

"Working with animals and Reiki makes you trust your intuition", said Novak. "It validates the way you feel about your animal and helps you trust that you can communicate with your pet. It strengthens your relationship with your pet.

Novak has performed Reiki on people, but she finds working with animals more rewarding. People often have opinions about what is going on around them. Animals just get it. They seem to access the Reiki energy faster than anything I've every seen. They're just open to the nice relaxing feeling that is coming their way. They know, intuitively, what is right for them."

Dr. Daniel Sickmiller, a local veterinarian, first heard about the use of Reiki on animals two years ago. While he himself has not used the therapy on animals, several of his clients have sought Novak's help for their dogs. He recommends Reiki for treating pain, anxiety and behavioral problems. The therapy can be calming, he said, and may help an agitated animal become a more acceptable pet.

"There are some times when you have to try alternative therapies, and anything that can help your pet and doesn't have adverse side effects is worth it", he said.

Dr. Sickmiller noted other benefits of Reiki. It is both natural and non-toxic, and provides a valuable bonding experience between an owner and his or her pet.

Jacquie Elliot, worse horse Donnie has received a Reiki treatment from Novak, also endorses the technique.

"I would definitely recommend it, particularly when you've tried everything else and are at a loss of what to do ", she said.

Donnie suffered from unexplained panic attacks, said Elliot. He would buck, rear, and start up to throw his rider.

"His actions reminded me of someone with PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," said Novak. After his first session, Donnie appeared more confident, and within a few sessions was much more relaxed even allowing Elliot to touch his ears, which he wouldn't allow before.

Dr. Sickmiller does not recommend Reiki as a substitute for medicinal therapy, but rather as a complement to it. Brody and Novak also stress that energy healing does not replace good, stable management. It should be used along with proper care - fresh water, nutritious food, a safe living environment, and of course, good veterinary care.

Dr. Sickmiller admitted that Reiki is not a common topic of discussion among veterinarians, but is slowly gaining more attention and credit.

Novak hopes that, as more veterinarians have experience with Reiki, they will recommend it to pet owners and help the therapy gain credibility.

Why try Reiki or other alternative therapies? "Because you love your animal and you want it to feel its best, both physically and emotionally" Novak said.