No matter how strong an owner’s bond is with a pet, it can be challenging to understand the pet’s needs. There is a barrier between people and their animals: a lack of communication. That’s where professionals like Johns Islander Barbara Rawson come in.
“I was very fortunate because my mother always encouraged me to go outside and use my imagination,” she said.
Rawson recalls memories of spending time outdoors with her childhood pets and the surrounding wildlife growing up on the lush sea island. Once she embraced her imagination, she discovered a gift to connect with animals on what she says is a profound level. But she didn’t embrace it until decades later.
Rawson pursued other interests until her early 40s, when she discovered someone stole her German Shepherd from her backyard. In an effort to locate the lost pet, Rawson’s daughter reached out to a local animal communicator who was able to describe everything that was happening and led Rawson to find the family dog. Coincidentally, there was a coming class on animal communication and the communicator encouraged Rawson to participate.
Connecting hearts
“Everybody can do what I do, everyone, it just takes a lot of practice,” Rawson said.
Rawson explained humans are born with telepathic communication and that it’s our first mode of communication.
“When we start accessing that part of your brain again and really exercising it, it’s like a mini muscle,” said Rawson. “The more you use it, the stronger it is — the better it is.”
Animal communicators establish connections with pets in difficult situations — when they are lost, dealing with behavioral issues or facing an illness. To understand what’s going on, she asks a series of questions, and the animal will respond to her using their five senses — touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.
Rawson describes the practice of communicating with animals as entering into a meditative state. She drops into a session and makes a connection by opening her heart to them.
Making peace
Christen Brown, a Charleston local, has been a client of Rawson’s for two decades and consideres Rawson to be a part of the family. “Barbara has allowed me to feel more confident in my approach with my animals — that I’m doing the right thing for them and not just for me,” Brown said.
Brown said she welcomed a new pet into her family and noticed her other two dogs were struggling to adapt. She couldn’t understand why, so she searched online and stumbled across Rawson’s webpage. She admits she was skeptical at first, but instantly felt a connection to Rawson that put her mind at ease.
She said Rawson was able to accurately describe her dogs and the situation perfectly. The older dog reportedly told Rawson that the puppy was getting on her nerves. Rawson comforted the dog, explaining the new puppy was her little brother and encouraged patience.
“By talking to them, she allowed a lot of peace to come back into our house,” Brown said. “It was night-and-day difference and they have been in harmony since.
“I’m aware of the fact that animals are trying to communicate with us all the time. We’re taught in our society to not be open to that,” Brown said. “I try to pause and listen more, be more aware of what they’re trying to let me know.”
Since working with Rawson, Brown said she feels more in-tune with her pets feelings. She recommends “if any pet owners have the slightest inkling that animal communication is something you’re interested in, lean into it because that’s most likely your pet or your inner soul telling you that you need this and that you want this.”
Creating bonds
Even if pet owners don’t seek specialists or communicators, there are ways to go above and beyond when bonding and caring for furry friends. Rawson emphasized it is crucial for pet owners to maintain consistency.
“They look for consistency because otherwise it feels unbalanced and unstable to them, and they don’t know what to do with that information, it scares them. Because then you can’t be trusted,” Rawson said.
Most pets are not leaders, she said, especially dogs, who look for their owners to take control.
“When you give the decision to the dog and they put their trust in that leadership position, it scares them. It can cause them anxiety or depression,” she said. “You have to be honest, fair and neutral. You have to mean it when you’re giving instruction.”
Cats are more independent
Cats are energy-centric animals, Rawson said. Cats are more independent, but they still need structure, and without it, they’ll run right over you. She suggests always speaking in positive terms to animals.
“If you said to them, ‘nobody is going to hurt you’, as opposed to saying ‘you’re safe.’ They feel the burden, they feel the energy of the words. All they can visualize is someone hurting them,” she said. “State to them ‘you’re in a safe place; you’re with me forever; you’re in a forever home.’ ”
To prevent separation anxiety in your pet when leaving home, Rawson advises pet owners to always depart in a calm, relaxed manner.
“If you are feeling guilty and frustrated, they feel that as unstable or unbalanced energy, and it scares them,” she said. “Give them a job to do before you leave, such as watching the house, taking a nap and playing with their toys. Whatever you do, be at peace and confident with your choice and that will instill a feeling of safety on your pet.”
Rawson encourages people to embrace the moment, ground themselves and invest time to connect with their pets, knowing that communication will naturally unfold.
“To see them step into their true self — their power — it’s beautiful to watch,” she said.
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