What is animal communication?
Who are you?
Are you psychic?
If it's something I could do, why should I ask you to do it with my pet/animal friend?
Will you teach me how to do it?
When you do it, do you hear a "voice"?
Are you a nutcase?
Can you tell me if my pet is sick and can you help?
Can you find my missing pet?
Can you talk to the dead?
What do you believe about death?
Are you a sage/spirit healer/shaman/animal professional?
Do you do psychic or Reiki work with humans?
What is your training, anyway?
My aunt's bingo partner's daughter's dog has been licking his hind leg a lot. What's that about?
Can you talk to several animals in one session?
What's with your request for a photo?
Will you do the communication via Web chat or e-mail?
Do you do pet sitting?
What are your fees?
Can I get a recording of my phone consultation?
Will you do communication in-person?
Do you offer gift certificates?
How can I pay you?
How can I ask more questions?

What is animal communication?
Please see What is it?

Who are you?
Please see About Gretchen.

Are you psychic?
Well, when most people hear the word "psychic," they think of someone who can predict the future and read minds. That's not what I do. Believe me, if I could do that, don't you think I'd have won the lotto and retired to my own wildlife preserve/vacation house in Costa Rica by now?

Really, I am intutive, and I've had the ability to communicate with animals for some time. This means that I can have a two way conversation with them if they want to "speak" with me. It's just like having a conversation with a person, except that instead of forming words with their mouths, they send me their thoughts and feelings in an energy format and I translate it to sensations, images and words. It sounds more spooky than it is. In fact, it is probably an ability we are all born with, and just learn to supress or let it atrophy as it is not acceptable to much of our society.

If it's something I could do, why should I ask you to do it with my pet/animal friend?
Well, maybe I've had more practice at it than you. Maybe you don't have the energy to try to make the connection just now, or you're too tangled up in feelings or worrying about your pet to get the right message. This happens with me and my pets sometimes, too. Sometimes it's easier to have a third party to "moderate" you conversation. But trust me, although I do think I have had an affinity for animal communication for some time, I believe that anyone can learn it with an open mind, practice and patience.

Will you teach me how to do it?
I am not teaching workshops yet, as I am focussing on my practice. But if you drop me a line I will recommend some books and workshops.

When you do it, do you hear a "voice"?
Sort of. I'm a person who's very oriented to words and sound, so my brain usually almost instantaneously translates the animals' messages into a "voice" in my head. But it doesn't sound like Scooby Doo, or anything, if that's what you're afraid of. And yes, I get physical sensations and pictures sometimes, too.

Are you a nutcase?
Quite possibly. My mother always said I was "different."

Can you tell me if my pet is sick and can you help?
I can tell you what your animal friend is feeling. I can also find the areas of pain or tension, make an educated guess about what might be causing them, and send your him or her Reiki and healing energy. I can also ask your companion animal what might make him or her feel better and suggest flower essences that might help. For more information, please see the healing section of my site.

Please remember, my consultations are never a substitute for a veterinary examination. If you animal seems really sick, I'd suggest you get her or him checked by a vet first. I can always provide you with additional information once the immediate danger has passed.

Can you find my missing pet?
I am sorry to say that I will no longer be able to do lost pet cases. I understand how terrible it is to have a loved animal friend go missing, but with my current schedule, I do not feel I will have enough time to devote to ongoing searches and being continually on call as is often important in these cases, expecially since I have traditionally done them pro bono or on a donation basis. If you need help with a missing animal, Dawn Baumann Brunke of Animal Voices fame has put up a very good list of communicators who specialize in finding lost pets, including my long time referral colleague, Judi Byers. I am sure that any of the communicators on this list would be of help to you.

Can you talk to the dead?
I have communicated with animals who have "crossed over" (thank you, John Edward), many times, and it is often a wonderful experience. It can get a bit more difficult the more time has passed since their physical death. However, if you wish to contact a dear departed animal who you miss or have questions for, I will be happy to help you.

What do you believe about death?
Well, that's a big question. I am a minister's daughter, but up until recently if you asked me what I thought happened after death, I'd probably give you a confused answer and say I wish I knew. With my growing experience with animals, nature and the passing on of spirits, I've become a little more definite. My belief is that matter is energy and energy is matter, and that beyond our physical bodies, all living things have a "spirit", or energy. When we die, this energy may choose to disperse itself or move on in different ways, but it does not just cease to exist.

All told, I do not have beliefs that fit one set religious practice, as I believe that it is each being's right to have their individual beliefs, as long as they hurt no one else. I also think that we're all going to die sometime, so we're sure to find out for ourselves at that point! So, I don't "preach" any particular end result for spirits, such as reincarnation, becoming angels or one with the light, etc. I think all these things can happen, depending on the path for that particular spirit. I also believe that these spirits can sometimes be communicated with by the living. But, as far as I'm concerned, one thing that nature can teach us is the humility to accept that we don't know everything!

You sure don't sound like a sage/spirit healer/shaman/animal professional.
Well, I don't claim those titles. What I am is a young spirit with sensitivity, strong intuition, enthusiasm, love for animals, an ability to open up to and channel spirit/energy and a fairly open mind. I think of myself as a conduit and translator aho helps energy and communication to pass between humans and animals. Maybe you'd be comfortable working with someone like me. If not, I know there are a number of animal communicators who have used other practices or received degrees in zoology or behaviourism.

What is your training, anyway? Do you have a certificate, or anything?
There are all sorts of modalities you can get certificates in, and I'm certainly "certifiable" (ba-dump-bump!). I have studied the works of a number of animal communicators, including Penelope Smith and Amelia Kinkade. I also have taken several workshops at the incredible Spring Farm Cares with Dawn Hayman, and a Shamanic Animal Communication workshop with Carla Person. I have studied various kinds of meditation, flower essence therapy and energy work, and am a certified Level II Reiki practitioner. Most of all I am a genuine animal freak, and I love to help people get in better touch with their animal family!

My aunt's bingo partner's daughter's dog has been licking his hind leg a lot. What's that about?
Have you ever tasted his hind leg? Maybe it's really good.

But seriously, in order for me to connect with an animal, I really need the questioner to have some personal connection with her or him. Otherwise it's like playing "telephone."

Can you talk to several animals in one session?
Sure! They may, however, interrupt each other or hog the conversation. I've also had conversations with a live pet and one who's passed at the same time. Be prepared for the occasional need to sort out who is saying what, and also a number of comments from the "peanut gallery," as one pet often will have some remarks to make about what the other is saying. Actually, these parts of the conversation are quite often informative and sometimes amusing.

What's with your request for a photo? Other animal communicators don't ask for a photo.
Well, I don't always need a photo, but it does help me greatly to focus. Every animal communicator works differently and has his or her own rituals. For me, a photo of the animal helps me make sure that I am "locked on" to the right energy. I also like to communicate with the animal myself with questions you have sent me before I do a direct communication between you and your pet. This simply gives me some quiet time to build a rapport with the animal and get some basic information. I feel that this makes the actual telephone consulation both a more efficient and a deeper experience, as the basics are already covered and there's more time for previously forgotten questions or clarification. If you don't have a photo, I am able to and will work from a description.

Will you do the communication via Web chat or e-mail?
Well, I find a telephone conversation is the easiest and best way to get clear and in-depth communication. If you really want to, I will send you the answers via an e-mail. I have done this before with no problems. Please recognize, however, that there will be the same charges for typing time as there are for phone time, and that any follow-up e-mail questions and answers will also count as consultations.

Sorry, but I won't do it via Web chat. Trying to get the message down and type it out fast enough is just too distracting!

Do you do pet sitting?
Yes, I am working with Lynne Ruffini, a well-known Brooklyn pet sitter, to schedule pet sitting. I will also offer combination pet sitting and communication sessions. Stay tuned for further details soon, or contact me if you'd like to book something now.

What are your fees?
Communication: My current telephone or email consultation fee is $25 per 15 minutes. This means a 30 minute session is $50, a 45 minute session $75, and so on. In the case of health or emotional issues, I will include Reiki in the session for free.

Stand-alone Reiki/healing energy work: $15 per session. This includes targeting energy blockages and working with the animal to restore energy flow through the body and chakras. Please see the healing section for more information.

Special cases: In the case of missing animals, long-standing clients or financial hardship, I often adjust my fees. Contact me with details of your situation, and we will work something out.

Can I get a recording of my phone consultation?
Yes. Upon request, I can record your consultation onto a CD or a downloadable mp3 file. The fee for this is $6.00. I will never record our conversation without asking you.

Will you do communication in-person?
Due to my current schedule, in-person communication sessions are extremely limited. They will be considered on a case-by-case basis and there will be additional charges.

Please understand that phone consultations are generally just as effective - and sometimes more effective - than visits, due to many pets' reservations around strangers in their territory.

If you want to book an in-person visit, please contact me with details, and we will discuss your options.

Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes. Gift certificates are available in pre-paid amounts. They may be mailed to the recipient or to the giver, or sent via e-mail..

How can I pay you?
I accept checks, cash and money orders, and also accept PayPal payments via the Internet for convenience. I don't suggest you send cash via regular mail. There will be a $20 fee for returned checks.

To make a payment via PayPal, simply go to paypal.com and click on "send money." If you do not have an account, you will have to set one up. To send me a payment, use my registered email address, info@animaltalker.com.

I still have more questions.
Then send me an e-mail at info@animaltalker.com, and I will get back to you with answers as soon as I can!

Best wishes,

Copyright 2002-2007, Gretchen Kunz