How your calm presence helps your pets and the animals you care for feel safe and supported.
Caring for animals—whether it’s your own beloved animal or helping those in shelters and rescues—can feel like you’re holding a piece of their world in your heart. Some days are full of joy; others carry the weight of worry or the ache of wanting to do more.
I recently had the honor of leading a webinar for Holistic Actions! Community to share tools for bringing calm, connection, and healing into our relationships with animals—especially during challenging times.
Dr. Jeff from Holistic Actions! wrote this beautiful reflection afterward, and I wanted to share it with you here:
“At Holistic Actions!, we know that healing animals starts with your connection with them. That means nurturing you both. This week, we’re sharing a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the love that drives your care. Our recent webinar gave us powerful tools to do just that.”
Here’s an easy practice for you: Before you walk into any space with an animal, pause. Ask yourself: Am I coming from my head (stress, worry, urgency) or from my heart (calm, presence, love)? Animals can feel the shift in our energy immediately, which changes everything. There’s no wrong way to love an animal.
5 Ways to Support Animals with Presence and Heart
1. Animals mirror our energy. When we’re anxious or rushing, they feel it. When we’re grounded and calm, they can finally exhale and feel safe.
2. Use the “Freeze Frame” technique. Initially developed by HeartMath®, I’ve adapted this to support both people and animals: Take 3 conscious breaths, shift your attention from your head to your heart, and recall a moment of pure love with an animal. This simple act can reset your nervous system—and theirs.
3. Practice the Animal Muse P.A.W.S. Way™. This simple, heart-centered practice helps you reconnect with yourself and the animal in front of you.
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P — Presence brings groundedness
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A — Acceptance opens your heart
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W — Wholehearted Intention creates the connection
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S — Shine your light of calm and love
4. Honor compassion fatigue. The pain you feel caring for animals is a reflection of your deep love. Honor it, tend to yourself first, and let that grounded energy ripple out to help them.
5. Let simple words heal. “You are safe. I’m here. You matter.” These simple phrases, spoken from your heart center, can turn a shelter kennel into a sanctuary and help an anxious animal finally de-stress and relax.
If this message speaks to your heart, I invite you to explore more ways to support your animal family with presence and peace.
Whether you’re at home or in an animal shelter, your calm energy matters—and the animals feel it.
I’d love to hear from you.
💟 Which of these practices resonates most with you today? Or, if you have a story of a moment when your calm presence helped an animal, please share it in the comments below or reach out to me directly.
