GENTLE, ANIMAL-LED REIKI
Calm and Comfort for the Animals You LoveSacred Paws offers gentle Reiki sessions designed to support relaxation, emotional balance and overall wellbeing. Every session is guided by your animal, allowing them to receive Reiki in their own way and at their own pace.
A CALM SPACE TO PAUSE
Welcome to Sacred Paws
Animal Reiki is offered as a quiet, complementary experience in which your animal is free to participate in their own way. There is no expectation for them to remain still, behave in a particular way or accept physical touch. They can move around, observe from a distance, come closer or simply rest.
Animals are constantly communicating with us. They may not use words, but they express their feelings, preferences and boundaries in countless subtle ways. At Sacred Paws, those signals are always respected.
Sacred Paws was created by Nikki from a lifelong love of animals and a deep belief in the importance of calm, connection and compassionate care. Every session begins by creating a grounded, peaceful environment in which your animal can feel safe enough to relax and simply be.
What we do
Our Services
COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT FOR EVERY STAGE
Animal
Reiki
A gentle, animal-led Reiki experience shaped around consent and respect. Your animal remains free to choose how close they wish to be and how they participate throughout the session.
Honouring
Ceremony
A personal ceremony created to honour the life and memory of a beloved animal. Each ceremony offers time to pause, share memories and say goodbye in a way that feels meaningful to you.
What is Animal Reiki?
Animal Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive complementary practice that offers animals a calm and peaceful space in which to relax, rebalance and simply be. It does not require physical touch, restraint or any particular behaviour from the animal. Instead, Reiki is offered quietly and respectfully, allowing each animal to engage in the way that feels most comfortable for them.
During a session, an animal may choose to move closer, remain at a distance, lie down, walk around or leave the space entirely. Every response is respected, and there is no pressure or expectation. This animal-led approach helps create an environment in which they can feel safe, supported and in control.
Animal Reiki may be particularly comforting for animals experiencing stress, anxiety, changes in routine, recovery, ageing or emotional upset. It can also provide a gentle moment of calm for animals who are naturally nervous, highly alert or sensitive to their surroundings. Sessions can take place in person or remotely, allowing your animal to receive Reiki wherever they feel most settled.
Reiki is intended to work alongside appropriate veterinary care and should never replace professional diagnosis, advice or treatment.
Meet the Heart Behind Sacred Paws
Reiki Pracitioner
Nikki Zimbler
Nikki’s approach to Animal Reiki is calm, compassionate and completely guided by the individual animal. She believes animals are always communicating through their behaviour, body language and energy, and that the most meaningful connections often happen without words.
Before each session, Nikki takes time to ground herself and create a peaceful, focused space. Every animal is free to approach, move away, rest or simply observe, receiving Reiki in their own way and at their own pace. There is no pressure, restraint or expectation.
The name Sacred Paws reflects this philosophy: Sacred represents the quiet, respectful space created during each session, while Paws also suggests a pause—an opportunity for animals to step away from being alert or “on duty” and simply relax.
Nikki feels deeply honoured whenever someone trusts her to work with their animal. Her aim is always to offer the same kindness, patience and respect that every cherished animal deserves, helping them feel safe, understood and supported.
Sacred Paws offers professional Animal Reiki sessions delivered by Nikki, a qualified Animal Reiki practitioner and member of the UK Reiki Federation. Her approach is gentle, respectful and completely non-invasive, allowing every animal to receive Reiki in their own way and at their own pace. Sessions are available both in person and remotely, making calm, compassionate support accessible wherever your animal feels most comfortable.
RESPECT AT EVERY STEP
A Gentle, Consent-Led Approach
Your animal remains in control
Your animal is never expected to remain still, accept touch or interact in a particular way.
Hands-on contact is not required
Reiki can be offered from a respectful distance, allowing animals who are cautious or sensitive to retain their personal space.
Familiar surroundings are welcome
Where appropriate, sessions may take place in an environment in which your animal already feels comfortable and secure.
Every response is respected
Resting, moving, watching, approaching or choosing to leave are all valid ways for an animal to participate.
No promises or pressure
Nikki does not claim to have every answer or guarantee a particular outcome. The experience is approached openly, gently and without expectation.
Complementary support
Animal Reiki is offered as a complementary wellbeing practice. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis, treatment or advice.
Honouring Ceremonies
A GENTLE FAREWELL TO A LIFE FILLED WITH LOVESaying goodbye to a beloved animal can be one of life’s most painful experiences. There is no single correct way to grieve and no prescribed way to remember a companion who has meant so much.
The Sacred Paws Honouring Ceremony offers a calm, personal space in which you can pause, reflect and celebrate your animal’s life. You may wish to share stories, say a prayer, sit quietly, scatter ashes or include a meaningful ritual.
Every ceremony is shaped around the animal, the people who loved them and what feels right for those present.
Location note
Honouring Ceremonies are available in Radlett, Shenley, Elstree & Borehamwood. A nominal travel fee for distances exceeding 5 miles from Radlett train station.
A QUIET MOMENT OF TRUST
When Doofus Chose to Rest
One of Nikki’s earliest Animal Reiki experiences was with Doofus, an energetic four-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
At the beginning of the session, there was no expectation that such a young and lively puppy would remain still. Yet within minutes, Doofus chose to settle. Before long, she had drifted peacefully to sleep.
It was a simple but memorable reminder of what can happen when an animal is given time, choice and a calm space in which to relax.
KIND WORDS FROM OUR CLIENTS
“The ceremony gave us a beautiful way to pause and remember. Nikki held the space with such warmth and sensitivity, while still allowing the goodbye to feel completely personal to our family.”
“We were worried the day would feel overwhelming, but nothing was rushed. There was room for tears, silence and happy memories. It was a deeply compassionate farewell.”
“The crystal ritual was thoughtful and understated. It helped me slow down and create a meaningful intention for my bond with my animal without making the experience feel forced.”
“Nikki brings a very steady, reassuring presence. From the practical arrangements to the way she spoke about our animal, everything was handled with kindness and care.”
“What I appreciated most was the lack of pressure. There were no dramatic promises—just patience, gentleness and genuine respect for our cat’s boundaries.”
“What I appreciated most was the lack of pressure. There were no dramatic promises—just patience, gentleness and genuine respect for our cat’s boundaries.”
Frequently ASked Questions
About Sacred Paws
What is Animal Reiki?
Animal Reiki is a gentle complementary practice offered in a calm and respectful environment. The experience does not require physical contact, and the animal is free to choose how they participate.
Where is Sacred Paws based?
Sacred Paws is based in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Confirm the exact service area and travel arrangements with Nikki when enquiring.
What is Nikki’s approach?
Calm, animal-led and respectful. She creates space, observes boundaries and avoids forcing touch or a particular response.
Will my animal need to stay still?
No. Your animal can sit, lie down, walk around, observe from a distance or leave the space. There is no expectation for them to behave in a particular way.
Does Nikki provide veterinary treatment?
No. Sacred Paws services are complementary spiritual and wellbeing practices and do not replace veterinary diagnosis or care.
What happens during an Honouring Ceremony?
Each ceremony is individually planned. It may include quiet reflection, memories, personal words, prayers, scattering ashes and symbolic rituals. Nothing is compulsory, and the ceremony will be shaped around what feels comfortable and meaningful to you.
Can Reiki be offered without touching my animal?
Yes. Nikki can offer Reiki from a respectful distance. This can be especially appropriate for animals who are cautious, sensitive, nervous around unfamiliar people or simply prefer more personal space.
How do I know which service to choose?
You do not need to decide alone. Contact Nikki for an informal conversation about your animal, your circumstances and what you hope the experience will offer.
Can I speak to Nikki before booking?
Yes. The website should make a brief introductory conversation easy to arrange so that you can ask questions and decide whether the approach feels right.
Send a Message
Every animal, family and situation is different. Contact Nikki for a gentle, no-pressure conversation about Animal Reiki and or an Honouring Ceremony, and together you can consider what feels most appropriate.