Melissa Stonoha, (a little about me)
From early childhood, I have wanted to help and heal the animals around me. I dreamed of being a veterinarian when I grew up, I was always trying to help the animals around me. A desire to help people, as well as animals, came to me much later.
My family and I lived in Connecticut until I was 9. That year we moved to Florida, and I contracted Mononucleosis. Doctors were not sure what was wrong with me. It was my teacher who suggested testing for Mono. My condition was severe and there was concern for my recovery. I took my medications and was bed ridden for over two months. I remember suddenly deciding one day that I was going to get better no matter what. I would get well on shear force of will, and from that day forward I started improving. I used meditaion practices and visualizatiuon to speed the process. This is a lesson I have carried with me and applied to all aspects of my life.
The following year I started volunteering at Wrede's Wildlife Rehabilitation center. The owners of the center were impressed by my ability to heal the orphaned and debilitated animals. Since I was home schooled, I was able to spend most of my free time at the center. I volunteered there until I was 20 years old.
I continued my interest in animal care by completing a course for Veterinary Assistance through Stratford Career Institute. In 2006, I decided I wanted to move out of state. My husband at the time was offered a job transfer to Martinsville, Virginia.
Having enrolled in an online Veterinary Technician Degree program, I started working at Henry County Animal Hospital in 2008. While I had meet both wonderful pets and people while working with HCAH, one thing concerned me. While I could help the animals, there was not much that I could do to help the suffering of the people the animals love so deeply. In some cases, I had noted that the human-animal bond was so strong, the two shared similar health problems. The love between people and their pets is not to be underestimated.
I was suffering multiple health issues primarily due to stress. My employer noticed something was wrong and suggested visiting a metaphysician. I was amazed by the experience. I knew this was something I wanted to understand.
It was this experience that sent me on my path to the understanding and practice of Reiki. I took Reiki training to become an Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master/Teacher through Reiki Master-Teacher Whitney McNeill, Messenger of Spirit. Learning to connect with this healing energy and transferring it to others is an amazing feeling.
I left the vets office in 2014 to practice Reiki full time. But I was not ready to limit what I could do to help animals. A co-worker had mentioned the possibility of animal massage. With my last paycheck I signed up for massage training through Mary Schriber at Equissage in Round Hill, VA. It was a once in a lifetime experience!
I have since been divorced, gone through an abusive relationship and witnessed first-hand the destructive nature of addiction. I became a mother and have overcome unexpected changes and challenges. Reiki has given me great strength in my darkest hours and shown me an inner light that I was sure had been extinguished.
Through my experiences I am better prepared to help those who share a similar road. I am on a journey to help others find true healing. By allowing Reiki to guide my path I will not only help others heal, but myself as well. I look forward to the new people and experiences that Reiki will send my way.
