Danika Nadzan
Animal Communicator and Author of
How To Be a Dog Psychic: Learn to Communicate with Your Pet
Communicating with animals has been an integral part of my life and spiritual path. My affinity for animals began with my childhood stuffed animals who, my mother assured me, had feelings and listened when I talked to them. In fact, my mother believed that all things had feelings and were alive in some respect—whether a car, a rock, a bug, or a tree.
I was lucky to have two parents who were open-minded, curious, and accepting of different perspectives. And I was fortunate to grow up in a family were “ESP” was not considered outlandish, but normal. Over the years, I've shared my home with an assortment of animals: turtles, goldfish, cats, and dogs. Currently, I share my home in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with three cats and two dogs: Merlin (a tabby Maine coon), Rajiv (an orange tabby), Felix (a white-eared black & white), Sofia (a Sheltie/shepherd mix), and the newest addition, Mysti, a terrier mix. (Photos below.) All of my animal friends have been rescues or shelter adoptees.
In my teens, I was drawn to learn about the Lakota way of life. This opened the door of my spiritual quest and led me outside the confines of traditional Western religion. It also introduced me to the idea that animals are indeed brothers and sisters of different nations, not underlings to be viewed as “resources,” and that if we allow them, they can be great teachers.
When I reached my thirties, I deepened my experience of the Lakota path by studying briefly with a medicine man, and also investigated the Eastern and Celtic traditions by personal study and participation in various seminars and classes. Here again, I found that animal spirits and guides are a big part of indigenous faiths.
During this time, Penelope Smith’s Animal Talk, a book about telepathic animal communication, literally jumped off a shelf in front of me, and I was led to pursue formal instruction in this technique. I began conversing with a multitude of creatures, such as dragonflies, ants, butterflies, turtles, birds, and even a camel. I was amazed by what I learned from them, and how my respect for them affected their behavior toward me. As an example, one ant colony accepted my deal to eat only from a near-empty honey jar, while leaving the rest of my kitchen alone!
I went on to study with Penelope Smith and then Anita Curtis, who taught me even more about animal communication and how to help other people communicate with their pets. (Check out Anita's book, Animal Wisdom: How to Hear the Animals.)
I began to do phone and in-person consultations, and found that I have an ability to discern physical issues. To my great joy, I have been able to save a number of lives because of it. Animal communication gave me a way to use my natural affinity for animals to help others.
Another life-changing book came into my life around the same time: Urban Shaman by Serge Kahili King. This guide to using the Hawaiian Way of the Adventurer taught me to communicate with “inanimate” objects, and to use journeying to find guidance for life and health issues. During my inner journeys, I have received help from numerous animal and spirit guides, and I know that my willingness to accept such help stems directly from all the steps I’ve taken so far on my path.
In 2005, I had the privilege of having Fair Winds Press publish my first book, How to Be a Dog Psychic: Learn to Communicate with Your Pet, which is designed to help dog lovers and their dogs have a better life together (email me to purchase a signed copy). I have also developed low-cost introductory and advanced workshops in an attempt to teach as many people as possible how to communicate with animals, since I believe anyone can do it.
My latest project is East Tennessee Spay & Neuter, Inc., a non-profit organization currently providing transport to a regional low-cost spay & neuter clinic, financial assistance to low-income families, and education about proper pet care. My goal is to raise money for a local low-cost vet clinic and a multi-purpose pet center in Carter County, TN, where I live. I also participate in the Elizabethton/Carter County New Shelter Building Committee, to replace the sadly dilapidated metal building that currently serves as our shelter.
Augie, a dog I took in who had been abandoned at a local park, suffered much abuse in his young life. Sadly, his trauma required euthanization after only 6 months with us--and he was only two years old. His short life, and the plight of other abused and abandoned animals in this area spurred me to start ETSN and be involved with the shelter. Here is Augie on one of his happy days with us:
Carter County is one of the poorest counties in Tennesse, and it is overflowing with animals that are not properly cared for, are mistreated, or are simply abandoned. The tiny local shelter took in nearly 3500 animals in 2009, and about 90% of them were euthanized, because there is just not enough space to keep them all. Yet most animals here are not spayed or neutered, many run loose or are kept in tiny kennels, and reports of serious abuse are up. Many people are living below the poverty line, and cannot afford the high prices charged for spay-neuter surgeries ($150-$300), nor for even the simplest of veterinary care.
In addition, the local government cannot or will not provide funds to adequately maintain and staff the animal shelter. The Animal Shelter Building Committee is working to change that, but it takes time, and of course, money. My personal goal is to raise money to stop the flow of animals through low and no-cost spay/neuters, and to change these attitudes through education, promoted in a peaceful, harmonizing way. I'm looking for help in time, talent, materials, and money. If you would like to participate, please contact me! Also check out my website: www.etnspay-neuter.org.
Over the past almost fifteen years, animal communication has become a tool to further my spiritual goal of creating better and stronger connections among all beings. It continues to be my fervent belief that regardless of religion, culture, or species, in the end, we truly are part of one big family.
Peace,
Danika Nadzan and the current gang.....
Felix, 4, short-tail & white ears!
Rajiv, 4, he's better known as Ricochet Raj!
Sofia, 13, sweety pie extraordinare! (Also at the top of the web page)
and Mysti, 3 years, and quite a character!
