ExtraSensory Pets?

In the realm of Parapsychology – the scientific search for evidence of psychic phenomena – a number of researchers are carefully studying cases of animals reportedly demonstrating remarkable Extrasensory Perception (ESP) in connection with human counterparts. An astonishing number of individuals in various animal professions strongly support the notion that animals have ESP, but the core of the debate centers around the question of whether ESP is psychic abilities, or simply far more attuned senses.

It is undeniable fact that animals have far more advanced senses than we mere humans do. Just look at the animal work force: Dogs can detect traces of scents from something as small as human tissue cells. Some bears can hear even very low noises from over 18 miles away. Many migratory animals can “see” electromagnetic fields, which is how they can travel great distances without getting lost.  Snakes can feel, and most likely even see, infrared thermal changes. But as remarkable as all of these traits are, they are examples of increased senses, not psychic abilities. So, where’s the ESP come in?    

Here at SGRA we have a constant stream of stories from animal owners reporting fascinating experiences. From dogs and cats that seem to know when owners are almost home despite them not arriving at the same time each day, to talking birds which appear to respond to questions before owners can even ask them. But while we would all like to think that our pets have this extraordinary ability, it’s the accounts from those who work with animals daily that are the most compelling. In preparation for this article I reached out to several people from owners of farms to veterinarians, and was surprised when nearly all of these professionals (9 out of 12 to be exact) told me that they fully believed animals have more than just sensitive senses, that they are in fact fully psychic!

When I asked for more thoughts on the subject, those who believed in animal ESP suggested that it could be related to the fact that you can’t tell an animal to ignore their feelings or that there is no such thing as psychic abilities. Many of these professionals do actually believe that humans likely have the same psychic abilities, but if it happens to us, we ignore in ourselves, or dismiss it because someone else says it cannot be. Even those who weren’t quite sure if these enhanced senses was exactly psychic abilities added that, compared to our own, they are most certainly by definition, “extrasensory”. So if that is what defines psychic abilities, than animals most certainly have it.

The energetic abilities of animals are deep-rooted in traditions and practices from around the world. This is especially true with therapy animals which, despite no proof by scientific standards, have gained a reputation of being able to get through to individuals with health issues or even troubled pasts when all other methods have failed. This has been proven to work so much that it has been integrated into medical practices and even hospitals. From cats to horses, animals being used in therapy sessions demonstrate this form of ESP time and time again. Take for example the well-documented cases of animals being introduced to patients who are unresponsive to all other therapies. Without any knowledge of the history with these patients, animals in these situations approach each person differently and are somehow able to get through to them, often times with miraculous results.

Now, this article would be remiss if I did not raise the chance that perhaps animals are indeed psychic in more ways than simply having extra senses. I firmly believe that it is more than just superior senses in animals - from my personal experience - but I wanted to share that of a true animal expert. Most of you reading likely know Kathleen Schurman, the editor of the Bethwood Patch, owner of Locket's Meadow Farm in Bethany, and animal-caretaker-extraordinaire! After SGRA conducted a few investigations into possible paranormal goings-on on her property, we became good friends, and if there is anyone who is a likeness of Dr. Doolittle (in female form, of course) it is her. So when I decided on this as my topic, I drove on up to the farm and asked her to tell me all!

Needless to say, that conversation provided me with enough to write a book on, let alone attempt to cram into an article, but it was an inspiring discussion. In an attempt to not reach novel-lengths with this article, I asked her to summarize her thoughts. This is what she had to say:

“Are animals psychic? Anyone who has a dog will probably say yes as they are renowned for their ability to judge character, and what else can we attribute that to but extrasensory perception? When my dog Ragano growls at a new acquaintance, I know to be wary of that person; he has never been wrong in his assessment. Years ago I had a dog named Courtney who, when I was in the middle of a nightmare, would bark to wake me up. Was it because I was making noises in my sleep? Each time my husband said I hadn’t. My cat, Julie, who is a mighty hunter, once brought me a bird. I began to yell at her for catching the wrong species (“Only rodents, Julie!!!!) but she carefully placed it at my feet and waited for me to pick it up. It was a fledgling sparrow with only one wing, the other tiny, shriveled and black. Other than that, he was unhurt, and I brought him inside where he bunked with a parakeet. How did Julie know I would want to take care of him and to bring it to me? Normally she would have eaten it stem to stern. And then there is my horse, Captain, who does Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. It never fails, each time he works with a client, his behavior exactly mimics whomever it is that has recently been problematic to that person. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. After decades of working with many species of animals, I not only accept that animals have ESP, I expect them to be, and I explicitly trust their evaluations of situations and people.”

And that, direct from the horse’s mouth (pun intended), was it. An expert with years of experience working with animals of all sizes, from all sorts of backgrounds, and all areas, was telling me that not only did she steadfastly believe in animal ESP, but she has experiences that reinforce her conviction daily. And that echoes what all others told me in research for this article. How do these animals know and demonstrate the things that they do? And I haven’t even brought up the idea of animal-to-human communication yet. But without even going down that road there is astounding evidence that animals are without a doubt intuitive.     

 If this subject interests you, we invite you to join us on Saturday, September 3, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at our Library & Research Center, 284 Racebrook Road, or a special presentation on animal abilities. We'll be joined by special guests who will talk about therapy animals, paranormal animal experiences, and more! Feel free to contact us at sgra@sgra.org or (203)247-0310 for additional information.