Hi, I’m Olivia.

I’m an animal communicator, Reiki practitioner, Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist, person to dogs Lucy and Milo, writer, editor, artist, and so much more. My pronouns are she/her or they/them.

My Mission

My mission is to help you cultivate soulful connections with yourself, your animal companions, and the natural world. I believe that through these connections we can reach a deeper understanding, uncover our own true nature, and harmonize with all that surrounds us—even the unseen and intangible, the sacred and divine. And we can learn to live more gracefully in the present while building a better future together.

My Story

As a little girl in central New York state, I played in the dirt, talked to snakes, and made friends with fairies. I was open to what many perceived as impossible, I trusted my intuition, and I believed in the unseen.

But eventually, after a series of traumatic pet deaths combined with the desire to fit in—and a bunch of other baggage that comes with becoming an adult—I felt as if I had lost my connection with animals, the natural world, and the spirit world.

It wasn’t until I adopted my first dog as an adult, Milo, that I began to really feel that connection again. He eventually led me to animal communication…by pooping on the floor.

Seriously.

I desperately wanted to find out why he was doing it, and someone suggested that I just ask him. So I did, and it opened up a whole new world to me—one where I already had everything I needed to communicate with animals and nature.

I realized I could use this ability to better understand my own animal companions and the natural world around me—and to help other people do the same.

But there’s more to the story: Although Milo led me to uncover my ability to communicate with animals, my experiences with Reiki and other spiritual practices were major catalysts, as well.

By that time, I had already begun to immerse myself in the world of healing arts and intuitive development, and I had started practicing Reiki professionally. It was spurred by the tragic death of a dear friend, the end of a romantic relationship, and the loss of a job in my successful but increasingly unhappy corporate career.

Although the therapy I had been doing for 20+ years was helpful in many ways, I knew I needed something more. So I tried Reiki for the first time and immediately began feeling more connected with myself and the world around me. I soon began listening to my soul and following breadcrumbs from the universe toward a more fulfilling career and life.

Now, I’m happy to offer a combination of Reiki, animal communication, pet loss support, and intuitive work in my professional practice.

Through my private sessions, group programs, and other offerings, I hold sacred space for people and animals to explore their relationships with one another and reach new levels of understanding and healing—and continue to cultivate their connections even after death.

My clients and students have told me that my approach is compassionate, supportive, gentle, non-judgmental, and empowering—which is exactly what I aim for. I also try my best to do all of my work through a trauma-informed lens.

Education and Training

Animal Communication

The animals themselves, including my dogs Milo and Lucy, have been my best animal communication teachers, and I continue to learn from them every day. My human mentors include Hana Mari Makinen of End and After, Kristen Hauser of Fauna Speak, and Marta Williams.

Pet Loss Support

More recently, I received Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist training and certification through Pet Loss Partners to better support those of you who are grieving a beloved animal companion.

Reiki

I received Usui Reiki Ryoho Level 1 and 2 training and certification at Healing Reiki Brooklyn with Kristin Reed, and Level 3 with Manu Del Prete and Aki Hirata Baker at Minka Brooklyn, and I completed my Master/Teacher training privately with Manu Del Prete.

I learned best practices for Reiki with animals from the animals themselves. The dogs and cats at a local rescue organization where I volunteered were some of my best teachers.

Other

In addition, I’ve studied psychic development with Nelly Reznik and Manu Del Prete at Minka Brooklyn, as well as mediumship with Nelly Reznik.

I also earned a BA in English from SUNY Geneseo, which led me down the path to becoming a professional editor, writer, and content strategist before pursuing Reiki and animal communication.

I know that I’ll never have it all figured out, and I’ll never be done growing. I remind myself to look at the world with a beginner’s mind and embrace opportunities to learn every day.

The Fun Stuff

When I’m not in private sessions or teaching classes, you can find me hiking, hanging out with my two dogs, Lucy and Milo, writing, cooking, being witchy, watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, making (+ dancing to) amazing Spotify playlists, and singing karaoke.

My animal spirit guides include rabbit, horse, eagle, fox, bear, snake (+countless others). The quetzal—the bird in my logo—also played a pivotal role in my spiritual journey.

My astrological signs: Sagittarius sun. Virgo moon. Aries rising.

Follow me on Instagram @olivia_labarre