Your Pet Knows More Than You Think — Here’s What They’re Trying to Tell You

Talking to Animals, Holding Space, and the Rise of Modern Shamans

Some conversations leave you thinking; others change the way you see the world. This was one of those. When Lizanne Flynn sat down with host Philipp Kobald for an episode of Spiritual Conversations, produced by HolisticCircle, the discussion wasn’t just about listening — it was about hearing in ways most of us have never imagined.

Flynn, an animal communicator, Reiki master, shamanic practitioner, and medical intuitive, has spent decades bridging the gap between humans and animals. What started as volunteering at a local shelter turned into a journey of deep connection, where she learned that animals — yes, all of them — have thoughts, emotions, and perspectives that go beyond instinct. They have wisdom. They have humor. And, as Flynn reveals, they often understand us better than we understand ourselves.

A Second Career, A First Calling

Flynn wasn’t always in this line of work. In fact, her first career was about as conventional as it gets — human resources in the healthcare sector. But after a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1993, everything changed. It wasn’t just a medical turning point. It was, as she puts it, a “shamanic initiation.” The kind of moment that forces a person to stop, take stock, and ask: What am I really here to do?

Taking time away from work to raise her two sons, Flynn eventually found herself drawn to volunteering at an animal shelter. That’s when it happened. She started hearing the dogs. Not barking — words. Thoughts. Feelings. Confusion. Where is my family? Why am I here? It was overwhelming, at first. But then she learned to listen, to translate, to put her own emotions aside and serve as a bridge. Animal communication became the foundation of her practice, but it didn’t stop there. She went on to become a Reiki master, a canine massage therapist, a shamanic practitioner, and, eventually, a medical intuitive.

So, You Think You Were a Shaman in a Past Life?

Shamanism is having a moment. Among younger generations, it’s becoming a go-to spiritual path — something Flynn has noticed time and again. But here’s the kicker: many of these new seekers believe they don’t need training or guidance because, as they claim, they’ve “already been a shaman” in a past life. Their job, they argue, is simply to remember.

Kobald, ever the skeptical host, couldn’t let that slide without a challenge. What happened to the concept of initiation? Of years — decades — spent under the guidance of an elder before stepping into a role of responsibility? Have we lost the slow, painstaking process of transformation in favor of instant enlightenment? Flynn doesn’t dismiss the idea outright, but she does raise a vital point: real healers understand the weight of the role they carry. They don’t just “claim” a title; they embody it. And they take on the responsibility of holding space — a phrase that, in Flynn’s view, has been overused and watered down.

“Too often, people throw around ‘holding space’ like it’s a passive act,” she says. “But it’s not. It’s active. It’s being fully present with someone, in their darkness and their light, without trying to fix, change, or judge them.”

Predator, Prey, and the Wisdom We Ignore

If animals could roll their eyes at humans, they probably would. We are, after all, the only species that seems to struggle with its place in the grand design. Flynn shares a perspective that might make some people uncomfortable: everything on this planet operates in balance — except us.

Take the predator-prey relationship. To human eyes, an orca eating a baby seal looks like a tragedy. To the seal, though? It’s not. It’s an act of balance. Of gratitude. Of energy transfer. The seal knows it is becoming part of the orca. And the orca knows to be grateful for the sustenance. Compare that to human hunting, where we often target the strongest animal, disrupt the genetic line, and mount trophies on our walls. That’s not balance. That’s interference.

Flynn’s insights come not from books, but from direct conversations with the animals themselves. And yes, that includes predators. A mountain lion she once communicated with, affectionately named Henry, had no problem setting the record straight when a human client complained about his presence: I was here first. Keep your dogs inside at night.

Can Your Dog Be Your Spiritual Teacher?

Absolutely. In fact, Flynn argues that animals may be our greatest spiritual teachers — if only we were willing to listen. They don’t get lost in the noise of self-doubt or overanalysis. They don’t need religion, philosophy, or science to tell them how the world works. They know. They live in constant communion with nature, in partnership with the earth, without the layers of denial and distraction humans create.

So, can humans reincarnate as animals? Flynn doesn’t think so. The energetic makeup is simply too different. But that doesn’t mean we don’t share soul connections across species. The animals in our lives are there for a reason. They come with lessons, with guidance, and sometimes, with a nudge to wake up and see the world as it truly is.

This conversation between Flynn and Kobald is the kind that lingers long after the episode ends. It’s the kind that makes you question everything you thought you knew about the nature of consciousness, connection, and communication. There’s so much more in the full episode, from the role of energy healing to the controversial rise of urban shamans. If you think you’ve heard it all, you haven’t. Watch the full episode on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel — but be warned: you might never look at your pet the same way again.

HolisticCircle.org | Copyright HolisticCircle.org | Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticCircle | By Philipp Kobald, 2025

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