It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community - a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living. — Thich Nhat Hanh

Every animal deserves a loving, forever home
We help shelter teams reduce the stress animals experience while in the shelter environment. Peaceful animals are calmer, and calmer animals are more adoptable.
The Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) is a worldwide grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of shelter animals and their caregivers through the Let Animals Lead® method of Animal Reiki meditation techniques. These techniques create a happy, more relaxed experience in the shelter for animals and their caregivers.
Join us today
By partnering with SARA, you help us provide these essential services:
THERAPY:
Our field-tested techniques have consistently supported stress management in the shelter environment and thus increase the chances for adoption. Our meditation based techniques create peace and calm for animals who may be stressed and/or have difficulty acclimating.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:
The unique work of shelter staff and volunteers can take its toll, and shelters sometimes find they lose the best people all too frequently. Our members train staff and volunteers in easy to use, powerful techniques that combat compassion fatigue. The best part is that training only takes a couple of hours but the effects are transformative.
TEAM TRAINING:
Our teachers, who are experienced in shelter environments and are certified in the proprietary Let Animals Lead® method of meditation, provide team building workshops. We give staff and volunteers an extra tool in their toolbox to help animals as well as a way to support each other!
SARA's Impact:
VOLUNTEERING:
SARA consistently donates over 3,500 hours per year in volunteer time and classes.
WORLDWIDE REACH:
SARA has a worldwide network of hundreds of shelter organizations and practitioner/teachers who are effectively using our methods for the comfort of animals in shelters, sanctuaries and rescue centers.
Check out our praise from shelters.
The importance of an animal’s sense of well-being cannot be understated. Animals can have food, water, shelter, and exercise but still be depressed. They can be surrounded by other animals and people and still feel sad and alone.
SARA’s proprietary meditation techniques transform:
Sadness to Happiness
Overwhelm to Confidence
Suspicion to Trust
Our techniques differ from any other modality because we allow the animal to guide the process. We don’t control or dictate what’s happening thereby empowering the animal, sometimes for the first time in their lives, which creates the foundation for a happier, more confident future.
SARA members diligently follow the Animal Reiki Practitioners Code of Ethics, created by Kathleen Prasad, that ensures all members are treating animals, human caregivers, veterinarians and the public with respect and dignity in all interactions. We never interfere with the advice and guidance of veterinarians and other animal care professionals.
Watch this video to see how effective our techniques are for bringing peace to a stressful kennel environment:
You can see from this video how gentle yet powerful the Let Animals Lead® method is in calming shelter animals and creating a more peaceful environment.
Animals do not need to be touched to respond positively to this method. More relaxed animals are more easily adopted.
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