I retired from K-12 education in 1997 after 30 years as a schoolteacher, librarian, and administrator. During that time, I completed my Master and Doctor degrees in education.
Following retirement I opened my Proposal Development and Writing business, which helped fund pre-school through adult education programs.
I began classes with the internationally recognized Healing Touch Program in 2005. Over the next three years, I completed the Level 1 through 5 Practitioner training and a one-year apprenticeship. In 2007, I opened my business, To soothe and to heal. I completed Reiki Master training in 2008. In 2009 I began training in Healing Touch for Animals and expanded my business to serve animals.
In 2010, I completed training as a ThetaHealing® Practitioner and a Reconnective Healing® Practitioner.
I volunteer with my dog Sophie in Providence Hospital’s Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy program. I also volunteer for Providence’s No One Dies Alone program.
The Healing Touch Program certifies practitioners have completed the five required classes, completed a year apprenticeship, and met additional requirements for certification as determined by an independent review board. Healing Touch is a nursing continuing education program endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association.
I have healing hands. I did not know this until a friend decided to quit dialysis and all medications. Within a few hours, she became very agitated. I felt compelled to run my hands over her about six inches above her body. She called the experience going to Nirvana. I repeated the process once or twice daily until her death five days later.
My experience with my friend was so powerful I bought a book on Healing Touch and took the Level 1 and Level 2 courses. I worked with Healing Touch practice groups and treated my friends during the following year. In 2007, I took Levels 3 and 4, began the one-year apprenticeship, and opened my business To soothe and to heal. I completed my level 5 training and practitioner requirements in 2008.
After completing Healing Touch for Animals Level 1, taught by the program founder Carol Komitor, I expanded my business to include energy therapy treatment for companion animals in 2009.