I went to Brighthaven Sanctuary.About 20 years ago Gail and Richard Pope decided to turn their ranch, located on the fringe of Santa Rosa, CA, into a hospice for animals in need of a place to gently and quietly transition into the end of their lives while rescuing mistreated and forgotten animals in need. They call it BrightHaven, a healing arts center for animals. Today the Popes have a team of caring holistic vets and volunteers
that foster and mend any animal that comes to them, and the list varies: I met a goose, some roosters, horses, a donkey, some cats and dogs, a goat, and I think there was a turtle hiding somewhere.
The BrightHaven team focused on the individual needs of the animals in their care with different health issues, food requirements and personality traits. I was surprised to find that the sanctuary was still a home - a very nicely decorated and comfortable home - where the cats and dogs in their care could relax and feel loved, welcome and well cared for. The bedrooms were transformed into treatment rooms, the living room was a comfy waiting and cuddling room, and the kitchen was shared by all, including the foster pets. Every nook, shelf, cupboard, and piece of furniture was transformed into a bed for some critter. There were comfy plush chairs and couches in the living room, well padded wicker furniture in the sun room, fountains and swing chairs on the back patio, a nice pasture and barn for the horses outside and a big chicken coop in the back for the roosters. There were plans for using the pool for physical rehabilitation. Crystals and healing gems were scattered throughout the house and there was incense burning in front of the fireplace. There was art, antiques and sculptures in every room. I found it a creative, artistic, and pleasant place to be. The caring and dedicated Brighthaven team uses every healing modality available to heal and nurture their charges: Ayurveda, Reiki, T-Touch, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, flower essences and anything else you can think of. The Pope's furniture is even Feng-Shui arranged to create an atmosphere of peaceful and stress free living. I was amazed to see how clean it was - not even any dust on the furniture - the place was obviously lovingly cared for on a regular basis. The human belief was that a clean home supports a healthy immune system and the animals seemed to agree, because even the dying critters looked happy and healthy. During my weekend visit I was never bothered by a floating hair, fleas or any allergic reaction to dust and dander, and there were around 20 cats and dogs living in the house at the time!
The animals are free to roam anywhere they want. Even the paralyzed dogs are fitted with wheels so they can travel around the garden and grounds. The ranch is as beautiful outside as inside, lushly decorated with beautiful rose bushes and eucalyptus trees, with plenty of acreage for the horses to roam. It's no wonder that every critter chose to stay close to" home". Who wouldn't?
My first comment when I went through the front door was, "Wow! I could live here - no problem!"
Which was appropriate - the Popes are ready to retire and are looking for someone who will take over for them.
At this point you may be wondering, did I fly across the country just to visit this haven? Actually, I went there to train with Kathleen Prasad, Reiki master to the animals.
I was already a level 2 practitioner, but I wanted to extend my training to level 2 Kathleen style. Even though I can use my Reiki training to help human clients, my focus is more on our companion animals, and Kathleen Prasad is an expert on that subject. When my Reiki teacher and master on this coast learned of my interest, she sent me to Katleen's website, Animalreikisource.com, where I found the information about the classes she teaches. I jumped on the chance to go out to California and work with her.
The other students and I met at BrightHaven for a weekend intensive. Kathleen strolled in right on time at noon and introduced herself. She was was like a nature-fairy. She was gentle and dainty and spoke with a sweet sing-songy voice. Our teacher radiated with love and sunshine, obviously a friend of nature and a protector of the animal world.
We spent the first day comfortably situated in the comfy living room where we learned about Kathleen's point of Reiki view, distance healing and chanting. In the middle of the day we were treated with snacks Gail Pope style - fancy chips with gourmet dips and lavish desserts served on chinaware. We were treated like old friends who came for a rare visit. I already felt at home, snacking on treats and chatting with my new peeps. The second day, after we were activated to level 2 status and practiced a little more chanting, we went outside to work with the horses. I was treated with the trust of an old donkey.Actually, the story is kind of sweet. We gathered in the pasture where Kathleen assigned us to certain rescued horses and an aging donkey. I was supposed to work on a horse, but that horse decided to go to someone else. I decided out loud that I would travel to the donkey on the far side of the pasture and work with him, but another woman headed out that way, so I stopped moving and stood still and radiated Reiki energy just to see what would happen. I hoped there would be a connection with a willing participant, but tried to keep any expectations in check. I was immediately rewarded for my non-effort.
Within minutes, as if he'd heard my intention, the little white donkey started a slow stroll toward me, ignoring the woman that had come to him, and eventually stopped right next to me. Not long after that he rested his jaw in my hand. I was taken by surprise, but was happy to oblige. I imagine he had a sore tooth and wanted some healing. Together we shared Reiki energy as I tried to show him with mental images how beautiful he really was. Obviously he was a sweet and very aware teacher.As part of my Reiki practice is aimed toward enhancing my ability to communicate with animals, I was exhilarated by the experience. The little dude validated both of my efforts: my ability to radiate with healing energy and an ability to talk to the animals. Our twenty minute healing session went by too quickly.
After another Gail-style snack we stayed indoors and worked with the dogs and cats in the house. Every animal responded to the healing. When one animal was done we moved on to another, or they moved to a different student - we left it entirely up to them. We didn't want to force ourselves on them. By the time we finished for the day we all felt touched by the love and appreciation for the attention we paid the ailing companion animals. They were now our friends. It was hard to leave them.
I didn't some straight home after that weekend - I stayed in California to visit with some cousins - but I carried the magic of that weekend with me wherever I went. I still feel it: the strength of each dog, cat, equine and bird, and the beauty of BrightHaven Sanctuary.
I still feel the love.
