Animal communication is the intuitive, two-way exchange of information between humans and animals on a telepathic level.  Experienced animal communicators can telepathically connect with animals to understand their thoughts, emotions, and needs—and to share messages with them in return.

Because the communication is telepathic, the animal need not be physically present for the communication to occur.  Giving Animals Voice communication sessions are conducted remotely and recorded via audio/video conferencing.  The organization selects the animal to receive the communication and the questions or topics to be addressed with the animal.  During the recorded session, the communicator invites the animal to participate, addresses the questions and topics specified by the organization and verbally relates the information received to the organization.  The organization can ask for clarification or suggest additional questions or topics. Before the session is closed, the communicator invites the animal to express anything else that they would like the staff to know.

Information the staff can use to reduce the animals’ stress while in the shelter. 

• By way of example, a blind dog (named Chance) was exhibiting agitation, especially at night. The organization asked the dog “what could they do to help him feel him more comfortable in the kennel.” The dog provided several suggestions which were then posted on his kennel for volunteers to see. See Chances story

Information about the animals’ preferences for their forever home and people to facilitate adoptions.

Information about the animals’ perspective when it is “returned” in order to facilitate a better match the next time.

• For example, Blackie was returned one day after his adoption with the comments that “he was reactive toward them and wasn’t a good fit.” The organization asked the dog, “about his experience with the adopter and what his ideal home would be.” The dog responded to both questions. See Blackie’s story

Information related to why the animal is reactive or aggressive to help staff make decisions about care. 

• For example,  a dog that exhibited aggression toward other dogs and was territorial about food and toys was asked  “what kind of dogs would she like to play with.” The dog’s response was a surprise.  See Arabella’s video

Information related to the animals’ body/health to help staff make decisions to provide relief.

• For example, while communicators DO NOT diagnose or suggest treatment, upon request by the organization, the communicators can ask for information relating to whether the animal is experiencing pain or discomfort, to describe the location and intensity, for information about the source of any injury, and ask what the animal would find comforting.

Information abut the animal’s sociability with other animals and with people. 

For more examples see  What Participants Said about Pilot 3

Information to reassure the animal about shelter routines and care.

Information to prepare the animal for major changes in care or routine  such as transfers or extended  extended vet stays), or events like meet and greets with potential fosters or adopters.

Information to prepare the animal for events such as “meet and greets” with potential fosters or adopters.

No. Neither Giving Animals Voice nor the communicators provide advice or make suggestions about how the organization should care for the animals. 

The communicators’ job is not to try to “fix” the animal or “solve” issues. The communicators’ job is to provide the organizations with information and insights that the organizations would like to have but would not otherwise be able to access. 

Specifically, the communicators job is 1) to ask the questions the organizations wants asked; 2)  to convey information that the organizations want to convey to the animals; and 3) to relate ALL information received to the organization during the session.

The Pilot projects allow organizations  to experience animal communication and to decide for themselves if animal communication can benefit the animals while in care AND can be an innovative tool for caregivers. By collecting and sharing the organizations’ survey data and feedback the Pilot projects can benefit other organizations and can help to develop practices, processes to benefit animals in care and their caregivers.

Giving Animals Voice intends to expand our Pilots to more organizations and to continue to make providing animal communication sessions easier and more impactful. We invite interested organizations and communicators  to  apply to participate in future Pilots.