The Doctor Dolittles of BoCo

If you think this all sounds like an unverifiable pseudo-science, you’re right and you’re wrong. Animal communicators take verifiable information incredibly seriously, since getting it right is what keeps them in a job. Most were wary of the trade before they tried their hand at communicating, and in each career there was usually a defining moment—a moment of conversion, if you will—involving verifiable information. For Julie, it was a conversation with a horse that told her detailed information about other specific horses, which turned out to be true. For Kate Solisti, it was a golden retriever named Chauncey that described a particular—and traumatic—moment in its youth, which was then verified by the owner.

On the other hand, the extrasensory nature of telepathic communication by definition resists scientific inquiry. Anecdotal evidence can be verified, but the actual process of transmitting information has so far failed to conform to the scientific method.

Accordingly, a healthy dose of skepticism exists in the veterinary community. One common concern is that pet owners will put too much stake in the statements of animal communicators, and make medical choices based on unfounded information. On the financial side, the rise of pet psychics could mean a decrease in business for others in the field.

For its part, Boulder County’s veterinary community has adapted—albeit in a guarded fashion—to new alternative practices.

“Boulder is one of those communities that looks for alternative modalities,” Kat Burns, the Director of Veterinary Services at the Boulder Humane Society told me. Burns added that four of the six doctors on staff are certified animal acupuncturists, signifying a modest crossover between alternative and traditional medicine.

“I wouldn’t dismiss it offhand,” Burns replied when asked about pet psychics, adding that consulting with a communicator is often best for owners with questions about behavioral, not medical, issues. “Is my dog lonely? Is my dog worried? Is my dog frightened? Why is my dog scared of the vacuum?”

Burns’ colleague Jennifer Bolser, the Chief Clinic Veterinarian at the Humane Society, acknowledged the role of pet psychics in adding another path to the treatment palate. “Our philosophy is about providing options,” she said, adding that it could be effective for “people looking for other opinions, or if it seems like all other outlets are exhausted.”

Ironically, pet psychics themselves are an incredibly skeptical breed. A common theme in becoming a communicator is a deep hesitation to show one’s gift, for fear of reprisal or simply for a lack of confidence. They are not deluded quacks who boast of superhuman powers, but rather reluctant caregivers aware that their stated profession will raise some eyebrows.

Along with this self-criticism, communicators are adamant that veterinary care accompanies any psychic evaluation concerning medical issues.

“I have such a low tolerance for people who don’t go to the vet,” Jenny Key told me. “I make very sure not to contradict the vet. What I do is I can offer insight.” This credo is engrained in the founding document of the profession itself, Penelope Smith’s code of ethics: “We acknowledge our limitations, seeking help from other professionals as needed. It is not our job to name and treat diseases, and we refer people to veterinarians for diagnosis of physical illness.”

All the nuts and bolts aside, a pet psychic’s main goal is to increase the animal’s wellness while simultaneously helping the owners understand their pet better, and the health benefits are often tangible. Diet improvement, favoring natural non-grain foods, can prolong a pet’s life. Physical information gleaned from a body scan—whether verifiable or not—has in numerous cases caused owners to tell their vets to X-ray unexplored areas, often with beneficial results.

Curious whether owners themselves could cut out the middleman, I asked the communicators about learning the trade. The wording changed, but each one gave a similar answer: trust your intuition. Follow hunches where they lead. More than once I got the analogy of learning an instrument: some are naturals, and some need a bit more time.

Either way, take some time with your pet—you can close the blinds if you need to—and try it out. As Jenny Key put it, “There are people who can just hear the music and play it.”