PetSintra 2026

Animal Reiki, Volunteering and Care at a Responsible Pet Adoption Event

By Fátima Cunha Velho — Cascais, Portugal

On the weekend of September 19/20, PetSintra2026 took place at a school in Sintra, Portugal, organized by the Parish Council of Algueirão-Mem Martins and Sintra City Council.

The invitation to participate in this event came from Sítio dos Animais Sintrenses, and the purpose of the event was to promote the responsible adoption of companion animals that had been abandoned, neglected and mistreated and were being cared for at CROA and other associations in the Municipality of Sintra.

The Animal Reiki Volunteer Network was present with 6 members who, during the two days of the event, shared Reiki free of charge with dozens of dogs who visited us, most of them animals being cared for at these locations while waiting to find a permanent family to love and protect them.

Some of them showed discomfort and a certain level of anxiety because they were in an unfamiliar environment. At the same time, however, it was an opportunity for them to leave the usual environment in which they live and spend a different day with volunteers they already normally know.

We saw these animals relax and change their physical posture and their gaze after receiving Reiki from the Network’s volunteers. Some of them fell asleep, as was the case with the brothers Félix and Fred, only 6 months old, who are being cared for by the Patas Errantes Association.

We met Kali, a Bull Terrier who is being cared for by UPPA – União para a Proteção dos Animais Associações and who suffered severe mistreatment in the past.

We saw her completely relax after just a few minutes of Reiki. These are always moving moments for Animal Reiki practitioners because, despite having been mistreated by the very species that had caused her so much harm, she continues to trust that same species and even sought physical contact with the volunteer.

From the same association, we welcomed Yucca, Amêndoa, Balu, Bethoven, Nice and others, and we met again someone we had previously known at Animal Well-Being Events.

We loved all the dogs who visited our space and who are available for adoption. Some of them we already knew from our volunteer work with NAAAS – Núcleo de Apoio a Animais Abandonados de Sintra – Andreia, Isaurinha, Leão Borges, Zouri, Oreo, Olaf, Hércules, Molly, Lolly, Sakura and many others.

We also promoted the NETWORK among the other associations present, as well as with the Parish Council of Algueirão-Mem Martins and the Cinotechnical Group of the Public Security Police, which held a demonstration with its dogs, specialists in search and rescue.

Once again, the legal requirement for dogs to be kept on a leash in public spaces was mentioned, an obligation so often neglected by some owners who ignore the fact that a dog that has experienced situations that caused trauma and fear in the past may feel frightened and uncomfortable when an unleashed dog crosses its path.

For the first time, a partnership was established between the Animal Reiki Volunteer Network and a branch of the Portuguese Reiki Association – the Sintra Branch -, which, together with its volunteers, managed to collect food for CROA animals with specific health problems (diabetes, gastrointestinal, kidney problems, etc.).

The Animal Reiki Volunteer Network added blankets, mats and duvets to this collection, which we hope will contribute to greater comfort for these beloved homeless animals during the colder days.

The coordinator of the Sintra branch, who had already attended the Animal Reiki Solidarity Course, shared Reiki with the dogs who visited our space, together with the NETWORK volunteers and, according to him, it was an experience of kindness and generosity, giving and dedication.

Some of these volunteers received Reiki from the branch volunteers, who were at the event promoting the benefits of Reiki for humans, thus certainly beginning a beautiful partnership.

Being present at this event filled the hearts of all the NETWORK volunteers and the APR Sintra branch volunteers, who shared experiences, laughter, tears and many hugs.

We would like to thank all the Animal Associations and organizations present, who managed to make PetSintra 2026 an event with a very familiar atmosphere where we felt very welcome.

Special thanks to all the female volunteers from the Animal Reiki Volunteer Network who were present at this event:

Helena Rocha, Liliana Costa, Carla Almeida, Yumi Simões and Paula Santos.

It is your availability, support, dedication and giving that allows Reiki to reach more animals, particularly those cared for by Animal Associations, Official Animal Collection Centers (CROAs), Temporary Foster Families (FATs), some of which collaborate with Rescue Groups.

About the Author

Maria de Fátima Pereira Cunha Velho, professionally known as Fátima Cunha Velho, has been a Reiki Master since 2013 and has dedicated a significant part of her journey to volunteering and promoting Animal Reiki. Driven by a deep respect for life, she found in Reiki a way to care for, welcome and contribute to the well-being of animals in vulnerable situations, always through voluntary service.

Based in Cascais, Portugal, she began her volunteer work with animal protection associations in 2014.

Learn more about Fátima Cunha Velho and her articles in the Mundo Reiki Library.

Fátima Cunha Velho — Mundo Reiki