Britain’s only dog shaman has helped hundreds of owners get closer to their pet by using drums, chanting and a bear claw.
Wolf expert Dr Isla Fishburn uses a range of techniques to strengthen bonds between humans and animals, with the claw among the many medicine objects used during ceremonies.
The 43-year-old qualified zoologist and conservation biologist is also a shamanic practitioner for dogs and their guardians.
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Her rare skill set attracts clients from around the world.
She started looking into spiritual practice after spiralling into an emotional black hole, as reported by What’s The Jam.
“I was in a dark place and visited woodland every day,” Isla, from Acklington, near Amble, Northumberland, said.
“And I realised there had to be more to life than this.
“And that sent me on a spiritual journey.
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“My dog Tunkasila became my greatest teacher.
“I had already completed my PhD in Conservation Biology after completing my Master’s and Zoology degree, and at the time, I was working with captive wolves.
“But it wasn’t until having a near-death experience and, not long after, hitting my absolute low where I considered taking my own life, that I began to meet my dog and myself in a different way.
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“Through her, I began exploring the soul consciousness of animals and their emotional and spiritual needs.”
Isla has since been on a mission to help people heal with their own animal friend and to embark on a soul journey of their own.
Ten years ago, she launched a business, Kachina Canine and has amassed clients around the world.
The dogs helped by Isla have sometimes suffered trauma, including rescue dogs, although many sessions are about making animals feel more relaxed, heard, and comfortable with their human ‘guardian’.
She said, “We put a lot of expectations and limitations on dogs.
“But for me, the relationship is a co-existence, communion and co-creation.
“Sessions often focus on what the animal may need, rather than what the guardian feels they need.
“But ultimately it is about strengthening a heart connection and feeling, and it is for those who are deeply committed to their own healing and their connection with their dogs on a soul level.”
Isla believes that by deepening relationships with our four-legged friends, we could improve both their lives and our own.
Besides one-to-one sessions for dogs and their guardians, she also provides a raft of spiritual services aimed at helping do just that, as well as healing from the transition and grief experienced when a dog reaches the end of its physical life.
They include transition ceremonies, for those whose dogs are at end of life, as well as soul retrievals, sacred ceremonies and a four-day long ‘sacred stay’ which aims to help dogs and their guardians ‘switch off’ from the physical world and instead focus on being at one with each other – with the help of techniques such as meditation, plant spirit communion, soul connecting, journeying, energy medicine and spiritual nourishment.
In her work Isla uses everything from bones to sacred herbs – while dogs are particularly fond of drumming and toning – but ultimately much of her work is done remotely.
And she is busy, often conducting several ceremonies a week.
“I’m connecting with their soul, so I don’t need to be in the room,” she added.
“I’m guided by the soul and the unseen – and so I never know what is going to happen until I am in the session.
“But it’s definitely becoming more popular.
“There is a need for it.”
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