- Frequently Asked Questions -

Get instant answers about pricing, booking sessions and what this work is all about

FAQ’s

  • I work with clients Wednesday through Friday and about 2-3 Saturdays a month. My typical hours are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with limited morning appointments available during the summer.

  • You are absolutely safe with me! I believe in honoring and respecting the diversity of genders, bodies, and relationships.


    If there is anything specific I can do to help you feel safe and supported during our time together, I’m always open to feedback and requests.

  • My new client appointments are typically booked 1-3 weeks in advance. Due to this, I’m unable to accommodate emergency sessions for new clients. Thank you for understanding!

  • I love your curiosity, and your pets are so lucky to have you! However, I specialize in working with clients who are already comfortable with intuition and inner knowing.

    If you're just starting out and want to explore animal communication, I recommend reaching out to someone who focuses on working with beginners.

  • Animals do stuff (like barking or peeing in the house) to communicate with you that there is a problem.

    Animal communication can help you understand why your pet is doing what they are doing so you can help correct the imbalance they are responding to.

    Just telling another being to stop what they are doing isn't effective and jeopardizes the trust they have in you and the world.

    If just telling your pet to stop it is what you are looking for, I'm not your gal.

  • No. I'm an intuitive animal communicator, not a veterinarian.

    During a session your pet may share what they are feeling in their body. However, it is rare that they understand all the contributing factors which is causing it.

    It's essential to consult a vet for any medical concerns to ensure your pet gets proper care.

  • As an animal communicator, I can share what your pet knows about themselves. However, just like us, if they lived without calendars or clocks, they likely wouldn’t keep track of their age.
    Most pets have a different understanding of time, but they may share experiences that have shaped their lives, which can provide you with deeper insights into who they are and how they see the world.

  • I need enough information to understand what you're hoping to achieve from the session and to know where to focus my intuitive antenna. That's why I ask specific questions on the scheduling form—it helps me prepare and ensures we ask the right questions when talking with your pets. 

    I don’t offer sessions when there is zero information shared about the animal, goals, questions or desired outcome.As in those cases, your pet might talk about all sorts of wonderful things that are important to them,, but not necessarily the topics you want addressed. This can lead to disappointment.

    A common misconception about this work is that I instantly see and know everything about you and your pet as soon as we begin. That’s not how it works! I'm not a magic, all-knowing wizard (seriously, who would want to know everything about someone?). Your questions and participation help me focus and guide the session so everyone can feel heard and understood.

  • In the years of offering this work, I've found that short check-ins do not give your animal friend enough time to share the important things they have to share with you.

    I don't offer counselling, but I invite you to think about this work a little like a couples counselling session for you and your pet.

    Like with counselling, 15-20 minutes isn't nearly enough time to get to the root of an issue and talk about in ways that each of you leave feeling heard and understood.

    For this reason, one-hour sessions are my minim offering.

  • It’s best if the pet’s primary human is on the call with us. If that’s not possible, I’ll need clear verbal or written permission from the pet’s primary caregiver before we proceed.

  • Most of my clients share that follow-up sessions are helpful, especially when supporting their pet through something significant, like illness, behavioral challenges, or end-of-life care.


    Follow-up sessions allow you to check in after making changes or as your pet’s health evolves. This keeps the conversation open, so you don’t have to guess what your pet is feeling.


    To make ongoing support easier, I offer follow-up sessions at a lower price than the initial session.

  • I can communicate with all kinds of animals, though my specialty is working with domesticated pets.

  • Once you’re scheduled, you’ll receive a confirmation email with helpful tips, including:

    • Creating a quiet, distraction-free space for our call

    • Tips on how to word questions to provide enough information without giving too much (so I can stay neutral as I translate your pet’s messages)

    • How to prepare your pet for their session.

  • Yes! I invite you to explore my 1:1 Reclaiming Center program, which is a 6-week program for sensitive empaths. It helps you feel centered and at ease in your own skin while staying connected to what you love most—including your animal friends.

  • Yes, it is. As a trauma survivor, I know how important this is, especially with subtle work like animal communication.
    I use consent-based communication and maintain high levels of transparency to ensure safety for you, your pet, and myself.
    You’ll have plenty of time during sessions to ask questions and express your needs, ensuring everyone feels safe and supported.

  • Yes, I do. It can be beautifully healing for both you and your pet. Sessions give you the chance to connect, hear how they are and say good bye.

    My process of talking with animals in spirit form is the same as when I communicate with an animal who is still alive.

    I use the same process as with living animals. Using a photo of your pet, I connect with their spirit’s energy and communicate with them from there.

  • To do this highly subtle and sensitive work I need to be in an environment without distractions.

    I find that having too many people on the call can be overwhelming and makes it harder for me to do my best work.

    You are welcome to invite one extra person who is invested in the process, to be a part of our call.

    It's important to know that sessions can be quite personal and your animal may share personal information about your life together. Please keep this in mind when choosing someone to join your session.

  • I’m sorry, but I don’t offer services for locating lost pets.
    Lost animals are often scared and on the move, making it difficult and costly to track them through animal communication.

    For the best outcome, I recommend contacting a local animal tracker within 24 hours of your pet going missing.

  • You can preview my privacy policy by following this link

    You can preview my new client agreement which outlines my policies by following this link

Other questions

  • Yes. I am still accepting a limited number of new clients for my 6-week 1:1 Reclaiming Center Program. You can check out all the details and apply by visiting this link Reclaiming Center

  • I'm accepting appointments for journey sessions for returning clients only. If you are a returning client you can schedule a session by following this link Returning Client Scheduling

  • I accept a limited number of new clients for my 6-week 1:1 program, Reclaiming Center. You can learn more and apply for the program by following this link Reclaiming Center

  • I do not. Out of a profound respect for Indigenous peoples of across the world including North and South America, I do not practice Native American healing or Indigenous Healing, or intentionally appropriate sacred ceremony or ritual of a culture that does not belong to my own.

  • Just send me a note using my contact page.

    When reaching out, please give me as much information as possible about your request.

    Here’s a link to my contact page

Ready to get started?

May Integrity be at the heart of all of our interactions.

Non-appropriation pledge:

My Intuitive Healing work and spiritual practices are anchored in my own ancestral healing traditions blended with western techniques, principles and modalities including animism, intuition, animal communication, embodiment, breathwork, meditation, and inner heart-centric journeying and meditation.

Out of a profound respect for indigenous peoples across the world, I do not practice or teach healing or spiritual modalities that are not a part of my own culture or heritage.

Image: photo from above of Joanna Schmidt, (me) showing only my white shirt and hands that are holding a bright yellow tea cup of tea next to a table with a yellow tea saucer.