The Accidental Therapist: From Media Madness to Holistic Healing – Interview with Angela Kearney

Sometimes, the most profound journeys are the ones we never plan. Angela Kearney’s path to holistic healing was one of them.

For nearly two decades, she built a career in magazine publishing and photojournalism, thriving in the high-pressure world of news and relentless deadlines. But the unyielding pressure took its toll, leaving her exhausted and searching for something more.

Just as she began to reclaim a sense of balance, tragedy struck when her mother passed away unexpectedly. In the depths of her grief, Angela searched for meaning and clarity.

Amid the uncertainty, two tiny kittens arrived—not just as companions, but bringing comfort, purpose, and the unexpected promise of healing.

She couldn’t have known it at the time, but they would become the catalyst for an entirely new path—one that would change everything.

Angela Kearney, Holistic Therapist for People and Pets

Can you tell our readers about your background and how you became an animal healer?

After almost 20 years in corporate media, I was disillusioned and depleted. My life lacked balance and meaning, and I was quite unhappy. Change was long overdue.

Hoping to rediscover something of myself, I travelled, lived abroad, and unexpectedly found myself managing a Cuban salsa band, which took me from Havana to Moscow and back to London. I also began singing semi-professionally while running a successful Airbnb portfolio. It was an exciting and dynamic chapter of my life, but then everything changed. An important relationship ended badly, and soon after, my mother passed away suddenly.

In a relatively short space of time, my life was shaken by a series of significant events I was completely unprepared for. Mainstream healthcare approaches didn’t work, leading me to explore alternative ways to heal. I revisited Bach Flower Remedies, which had helped me recover from crushing heartbreak and professional disappointment many years before. Reiki was something entirely new to me, yet I felt instinctively drawn to its energy and potential. Subtle, non-addictive, and effective, I felt a positive shift and soon found myself in much calmer waters.

I also welcomed two adorable Bengal kittens into my life. At just 18 months of age, Rex was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. His neurologist prescribed lifelong medication, and I had concerns about the long-term effects on his health. I began looking for holistic options to help manage his condition, as I had done for myself. Before long, I was enrolled in an Animal Healing Diploma course, which changed my career and life path.

Why did you specialize in Reiki?

There was a decisive moment on the Animal Healing Diploma course when a group of dogs with a variety of physical and emotional issues participated in a meditation. Every dog in the room was totally relaxed, completely still, free of pain and anxiety. Apart from occasional canine yawns and gentle snoring, you could have heard a pin drop.

Whatever was happening in that space, I knew it was incredibly powerful. As we conducted further sessions with different animals in a variety of settings, it was obvious to me that meditation was equally effective for many species – including all the humans in the room!

I had personally experienced the benefits of Reiki and sensed that it would be fantastic for animals. A Reiki practitioner can but isn’t required to place their hands on or even near the patient. For fearful, nervous animals who may also be in pain, Reiki allows them to experience safe, gentle healing without being handled or touched.

Animal Reiki is about connection, creating a calm, safe space where your pet can let go of stress, relax totally, and heal. This method of Reiki, Let Animals Lead®, I learned from its creator, Kathleen Prasad, founder of Animal Reiki Source® when she was teaching in the UK during the summer of 2019.

Physical touch isn’t necessary for a successful Reiki session when the intention to help animals is heartfelt. The Let Animals Lead® method made so much sense to me and reinforced how I’d worked intuitively with Rex to manage his epilepsy. Additionally, Reiki transcends space and time, allowing practitioners to connect with and support animals energetically, whether they are nearby or across the world. How incredible is that? I wanted to help other animals and their guardians in the same way.

Reiki is safe and gentle for all animals. It doesn’t hurt them and there are no side effects. Sharing Reiki with your pet is a beautiful bonding experience. Except for one very amorous Pug – appropriately named, Romeo – every animal I’ve worked with has been calm, relaxed, or asleep by the time the session concludes.

The healing potential of Reiki is unlimited and who wouldn’t want that for their pets?

You also work with Bach Flower Remedies for animals. What issues do the remedies support, and how can they benefit animals?

Bach Flower Remedies work by balancing negative emotions and encouraging their positive potential. Emotional imbalance can affect mood, behaviour, and general wellbeing, sometimes manifesting in physical symptoms.

The most common issues seen in our pets are fear, aggression, stress and overwhelm, separation anxiety, timidity, overexcitement and hyperactivity, jealousy, shock and trauma, and grief. Many animals also have difficulty adjusting to change. There are 38 remedies in the Bach system from which to choose or create a bespoke, mixed remedy, depending on the challenges your pet is facing. Some pet guardians will also be familiar with Bach Rescue Remedy which helps restore calm in emergencies and periods of extreme stress.

The remedies are most commonly used for cats and dogs but work in the same way for small furries, farm animals, reptiles, birds, fish, and wild animals. By helping our animal friends find a greater balance of emotions, we see an improvement in unwanted behaviour which results in calm, happy animals. Very often this also encourages improvement in any coexisting physical symptoms.

What are the similarities and differences between Reiki and Bach Remedies for animals?

Reiki and Bach Flower Remedies are powerful tools for animal wellbeing. They can be used standalone, together, or alongside conventional treatment for a more integrative healing approach.

Similarities

Both Reiki and Bach Remedies take a holistic approach, addressing emotional, mental, and physical well-being. As energy-based healing systems, they restore balance without force or restraint, making them gentle and stress-free. They work alongside veterinary care without interfering with treatment and are particularly effective in easing stress, anxiety, and trauma in animals.

Differences

Reiki is an energy-based healing practice that can be performed in person or remotely, allowing universal life energy to flow where needed. In contrast, Bach Flower Remedies rely on the vibrational properties of plants and must be ingested or applied topically. Reiki works intuitively, while Bach Remedies are selected based on an animal’s emotional state. While Reiki often provides immediate relaxation, Bach Remedies may take time to show effects but can be stopped once balance is restored.

What is the difference between conventional and holistic treatment, and which do you think is best?

Conventional care focuses on treating specific diseases and associated symptoms, typically with pharmaceuticals, surgery, and scientifically proven treatments. Diagnosis is determined through laboratory testing, imaging, and other evidence-based, scientific evaluations.

In contrast, holistic treatment takes a broader approach, considering the physical, emotional, and environmental life of the animal and aims to support the body’s natural healing processes. Holistic vets look closely at lifestyle, diet, stress, and underlying imbalances rather than symptoms. Complementary therapies such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies, Reiki, dietary modification etc may be suggested.

We rely on science to determine any underlying health issues. But animals are so much more than a list of symptoms and test results! It is equally important to recognise the emotional and environmental factors that influence any animal's wellbeing. In my view, an integrative method that combines the best of both conventional and holistic care is the optimal way to support our beloved pets.

Do you offer any other services?

I offer a range of complementary services to support my clients holistically. My background in Herbal Medicine allows me to integrate medicinal herbs into healing plans, while my expertise in species-appropriate nutrition—backed by training in small animal nutrition and raw feeding—enables me to provide tailored dietary advice and even home-cooked meals for feline clients with chronic conditions.

Understanding animal behaviour is crucial in many cases, and my studies with Oxford University in Animal Behaviour, along with ongoing research in feline behaviour, help me support both animals and their caregivers. Additionally, I provide pet bereavement counselling to guide owners through the difficult journey of loss. While these services are not the core of my work, they offer valuable, compassionate support to clients when needed.

Although we’ve been discussing animals, it’s important to remember their guardians too. I also offer Reiki and Bach Flower Remedy consultations for humans!

What motivates you to do this work?

Many factors contribute to our pets' wellbeing, and when health issues arise, conventional treatment should always be the first step towards recovery. However, it’s not always enough. When allopathic treatments have been exhausted, that's when complementary therapists and healers, like myself, are called upon to help.

Every animal deserves to live their best life, which goes far beyond basic food and shelter. Our pets need love, interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, and a safe, comfortable environment—ideally, one that's clean, green, and enriching. A fresh and varied, species-appropriate diet is essential for their health and longevity. Obviously, a great – preferably holistic – vet is important as are regular check-ups for your pets.

Animals have emotions and needs just like we do, yet their cues are often missed or overlooked. I’ve always had a deep, intuitive sensitivity to their needs and feelings, which gives me a unique perspective on their experiences and allows me to connect with them on a profound level.

The greatest reward for me is seeing an animal not only improve in health and comfort but truly thrive. Knowing that I’ve played a part in their healing journey is what motivates me to continue this work.

Is there a specific part of your business you want to develop? What is next for Angela Kearney Healing?

Today, my focus is on helping pets live healthier, happier, and longer lives by supporting their wellbeing as a whole. It’s been an unlikely journey. The transition from the world of media to holistic animal healing has been one of complete transformation—driven by a deep connection with animals, boundless curiosity, and a constant desire to learn. I’m utterly fascinated by cats (some might say obsessed) and I continue to study feline behaviour. So, it’s only natural that feline health and wellbeing will take centre stage in the future.

In the coming months, I’ll be sharing a series of articles on animal health and wellbeing, offering holistic insights and solutions to common concerns. If you’d like to explore how holistic therapies can support your pet’s wellbeing, I’d love to hear from you.

Visit here to learn more about my services, book a consultation, or browse my latest articles on animal health and healing. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Instagram for insights, updates, and real stories from the animals I work with.

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