"Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love."
– Fyodor Dostoevsky

Horses, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, mice ... all taught me how to be the human being I am today. I've been on television and radio many times, am known all over the United States, and have students and clients around the world. I've been a columnist for Enjoy Whole Health Magazine and have contributed to many other publications, including bestselling books, of which I've authored one of my own.
 
But, I started out a lonely, only child in an isolated rural area outside of Austin, Texas. My first love was four-legged and hairy, with big brown eyes that saw through to my soul, and a pair of lips that could open any gate. Her name was Maisie (pictured in the banner photo above) and she was my first horse, a 6-year-old Welsh pony. Thanks to her, I survived some very difficult teenage years. Manically depressed and even suicidal at times, I learned that in my darkest moments, I could go to my animal friends and receive comfort, guidance and strength.
 
In the early 1980's I began learning about healing, self improvement, meditation, counseling and other methods of therapy. I achieved a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in 1992 and worked for many years in the business world. I started a market research company, which I ran for several years.
 
One fine, beautiful Saturday morning in October 1992, I woke up with the realization that I was depressed and totally miserable. I wanted to do something that made me happy while being of service to others. Praying and asking for guidance, I found the one and ONLY thing that consistently brought me joy and peace--being with animals.
 
The next morning I began my meditations as usual. Only this time, instead of focusing inward, my Guidance told me to focus on the cats. They had been using my husband's expensive Bose speakers as scratching posts and were in grave danger of losing their home, maybe even their lives, if he caught them at it.
 
That meditation was extraordinary! I saw things through their eyes, I felt what they felt, knew what they knew. It was as if a veil was lifted and we were connected clearly, understanding each other.
 
From that day on, they never again used his speakers as scratching posts and all was well in our little family kingdom.
 
Intrigued, I went on to work with many animals testing my abilities and skills. Fast forward to a few months later. I was standing in a horse barn on a rainy day in January, holding the head of a gorgeous black Percheron mare while my friend and mentor worked to heal a large knot in the mare's hip.

In a breakthrough moment, my mind and heart opened as I heard the horse share a traumatic memory. Then we watched with amazement as her wound healed itself while she "spoke" to me!

After exploring this wonderful gift of being able to hear and heal animals, and testing myself in a wide variety of situations and challenges, the results spoke for themselves. I began working professionally as an animal communicator in 1993.

[In the photo above, Val shares a fun moment with her pup pal Timmy and her partner, Joern.]

Being a lifetime student, I continue to learn new methods of healing, performance enhancement, training and bodywork for humans and animals. I've studied with many master teachers, learning how to facilitate healing and a return to wellness. I'm certified through the world-renowned animal communicator Penelope Smith, and am listed in the International Directory of Accredited Telepathic Communicators. A Lionheart Institute certified counselor (an institute based on Barbara Brennan's work), I've also studied with Linda Tellington-Jones learning the TTouch and TTeam methods of rehabilitation and healing. Apprenticed to Charlene Doyle, I've been learning her amazing method of neuromuscular and craniosacral bodywork.

The most exciting healing protocols I've learned so far are The BodyTalk System, BodyTalk for Animals, PaRama BodyTalk and the Fernandez BodyMind Assessment™ Method. Multi-dimensional and all-encompassing, these are truly holistic, remarkably powerful healing modalities for humans and animals.
 
Through these and other modalities, I've been able to regain and manage my health after many long years of suffering with chronic pain and trauma from many injuries and illnesses. A gymnast and competing athlete growing up, I almost broke my neck three times and was well on my way to being disabled by my mid-thirties. Lyme Disease, Epstein Barr, multiple neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems, arthritis, allergies, congenital heart problems, and chronic fatigue all drove me to study healing and wellness.

I got my start working with show horses who I continue to specialize with today. I also work with dog, cat and horse clients and I teach animal communication at The Heart School of Animal Communication. I host the Animal Talk Coaching Club and The Real Dr Doolittle Show on iTunes.
 
To date, I've worked with over 15,000 animals and their humans--owners, trainers and veterinarians--all over the world, in person and long distance. I specialize in musculoskeletal problems, mystery illnesses and lameness, trauma, cranial/brain injuries, chronic pain, allergies, illness and environmental sensitivities.
 
I'm delighted to report that easily 95 percent of my clients see major changes in their first session. They feel the changes in themselves as well as seeing the difference in their animal(s).
 
What I've Learned Working with Animals that Is So Important to My Success (I hope this helps you too!) 
 
After over 25 years of working with animals, I realized that I simply couldn't get the best results changing health or behavior unless I communicate with the animals, and work with their person too. They are a matched energetic set!
 
For this reason and also because of the Human Animal BodyMind phenomenon, I think it's a mistake for a BodyTalk animal practitioner to not know how to communicate with their animal patients. Treating an animal like it's just an embodied energetic bundle that has mismatched energetic frequencies misses the bigger picture.
 
Animals have a voice, as well as a soul and spirit. They must be heard, respected and engaged at the heart and mind level, as well as the physical and spiritual levels; this includes working with their family matrix and consciousness, both the individual and group.
 
I'm known for my ability to solve problems with pets, intuitive medical scanning and for intuitive life guidance therapies. Animal communication is the First step in my HEART System problem-solving protocol. Clearing resistance and healing, through modalities like the BodyTalk System, is the Fourth step.
 
To get the very best results from every session, I also evaluate their bodies and environment, including training, diet, etc. I assess what needs to change and offer expert advice on taking the appropriate action steps which helps avoid the expensive guesswork spent chasing our tails on ineffective protocols and procedures. We work together as a team with a great deal of trust and respect which changes everything.

One of the important things I've learned working with animals and the people who love them is that if I don't communicate before, during and after the healing session, then I'll have missed a lot that is very important.
 
This is an easy skill to learn for anyone who wants to add animal communication to your healing tool kit.
 
In fact, one of the fascinating things about the unique way I conduct a BodyTalk healing for animals session is that Innate often shows me the entire family constellation and family matrix, which includes animals as well as people and families.
 
Did you know the animal can hold roles and aspects for the family matrix? They can embody consciousnesses, gunas, elements, organs, constellations, networks, systems and much more! I often find that each animal will process a unique part of the healing formula for their family group, so the packages, parcels, sub-sessions and parallel sessions become extraordinarily powerful to ensure that no one being is overtaxed trying to process too much at once.
 
Truly, the sum is greater than its parts in this regard.
 
Today, I'm honored to assist animals and their humans, from top performers and professionals to companion animals of all kinds. I delight in writing, consulting, teaching, learning, celebrating our return to wholeness, reconnecting us all to the Circle of Life.

[In the photo at left, Val shares a happy moment with Leiba.]