The Amazing Story of Ginny the Elephant (Warning – Get Kleenex!)

Once upon a time, I took my group of animal communication students to the San Antonio Zoo.Their instructions were to wander around and find animal teachers to practice communicating with for about an hour. Then we were all to meet at the elephant enclosure because there was a very special elephant there named Ginny I wanted to introduce them to. I also wanted to tell them an amazing elephant story – Ginny’s story.They had learned how to best connect and open the conversation. Some of the students, being highly sensitive and empathic like myself, were worried.What if the animal’s story was heartbreaking? What if they were in pain, or angry or grieving or sad… ? And what if their misery was more than they could bear?

Ouch.

I understood their concerns. I’ve felt them myself and have often had students tell me they were afraid to work with rescued, abused or 寵物去新西蘭 sick, transitioning animals… for the same reasons.But here’s the thing…Whatever is happening or has already happened for the animal is part of their story. What they need is the ability to communicate and be heard so they can heal and let it go.It’s not your job to take on their stuff when you open a channel to communicate.Your job is to give them a way to be understood, to feel compassionate, loving attention, to create a heart centered space for listening and caring, and THAT is such a precious gift.Many times healing occurs, positive changes occur that were unexpected, and right before your eyes (if you do it right), you can see them become more fully present, they heal, they grow, they breathe a big sigh of relief, and they let the past go.

It’s a miracle to witness, and heartwarming beyond belief.

So, kleenex in their pockets, hearts open and available, with loving and clear intention set, off they went!When we met back at the elephant enclosure later, they were delighted with their experiences. Some animals ignored them, they were too lost in their own world and weren’t interested in talking to a human.Other animals were so appreciative of having been heard, they were excited and delighted.They said things like, “Wait, did you say something? You, a dense human, can hear me? That can’t be right… I thought humans were too unaware to communicate. Seriously, you really are talking to ME? And you can hear me too?? OMG! Let me go get my buddies!”And other animals would come running up eager to witness the miracle of a human who could hear them and talk their language.So much fun!! And the stories they told? Oh my.Heartwarming! Inspirational! Touching! Wow.

Today I have another story to tell you.

A few weeks earlier I’d been called by a zoo docent to come help them with one of their elephants.Ginny, the 50 year old matriarch of the small elephant herd at the zoo, had killed their head handler.Nobody else had been there when it happened, so there were no witnesses. Only the evidence of carnage left behind.When I arrived, they had her in chains, in a metal cage barely big enough for her body. She stood there dejectedly but proud, quiet and withdrawn. Resigned and waiting for her fate to be determined.The handlers and management hadn’t decided if they would have to kill her or not.