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A pet psychic, or animal communicator is a person who claims to communicate psychically with animals.[1][2] Some pet psychics claim to communicate with long-dead animals [1], while others can be characterized as animal communicators or animal psychologists.[3][4] The term psychic refers to an alleged ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through what is described as extrasensory perception.

Pet psychics rely on different techniques when doing an animal reading. These psychics allegedly communicate with animals and connect with an animal's soul. Some claim the readings are done by communicating with their "electromagnetic energy" similar to reiki and/or therapeutic touch healing.[5] Others claim the animal does not need to be alive or physically close to the psychic as noted with phone readings.[1][3][6] Tarot cards recently have been designed specifically for pet readings by their owners.[7] Skeptics attribute such putative powers to intentional trickery or self-delusion.[8][9][10][11][12]

A pet psychic is different than a pet whisperer like Cesar Millan or Monty Roberts who use body language and an understanding of animal psychology to communicate with the animal.

In the early twentieth century, the Association for Research and Enlightenment began researching paranormal and psychic abilities in humans.[4] The first animal communicators claimed they could communicate telepathically with animals living or dead.[4][5][1]

The number of businesses offering pet psychic services has steadily increased, but the industry remains unregulated and scientifically unverified.[2] The services offered include advice and counsel to clients.

Criticism of pet psychics

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The scientific community has rejected all claims of psychic phenomena, and no compelling evidence of psychic phenomena has been found in the past few centuries of experimentation.[13][14][15][16][17]

In 2008, a study using neuroimaging provides the strongest evidence yet obtained against the existence of paranormal mental phenomena. Using the assumption that psychic ability originates in the brain, the authors used fMRI scanning of participants' brains during the use of psi and non psi stimuli.[16] Participants were either emotionally or biologically related to one another. The experiment was designed to create positive results if psi phenomena occurred. While the participants' reactions to non psi stimuli were as expected from previous studies, the psi inducing stimuli showed indistinguishable difference to non psi stimuli.

In 1991, an opinion survey amongst scientists in the NAS regarding ESP, psi, and parapsychological research indicated that 96% of scientist polled described themselves as "skeptical" of the existence of ESP with 2% believing in psi and 10% thinking that parapsychology research should be encouraged.[18]

Joe Nickell believes that cold reading can explain why so many pet psychics appear to communicate with animals. Pet psychics like Gerri Leigh and Animal Planet's Sonya Fitzpatrick work in front of audiences with the pets and owners present at the same time. Although appearing to be impressive, the conclusions and pronouncements are "validated" by the pet owners and not the pets themselves.[19] Furthermore, linguistic professor Karen Stollznow tested a pet psychic with a cat named Jed. Not only was the psychic "completely inaccurate in her reading of Jed's age, place of birth, background, behavior, health, and my health..." she was unable to tell that Jed was not her cat. Stollznow concluded that "language is human-species specific. We don't and can't 'know' what animals think."[20]

In the media

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The Pet Psychic with Sonya Fitzpatrick was the most well known television show that portrays this topic. She now has a radio program called Animal Intuition on the Sirius Satellite Radio service. Podcasts such as Oh No! Ross and Carrie[21] have investigated the efficacy of pet psychics.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Roeper, R (2008). Debunked!: Conspiracy Theories, Urban Legends, and Evil Plots of the 21st Century. Chicago Review Press. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-55652-707-4.
  2. ^ a b Italie, L (2008) What's on your cat's mind? Ask a pet whisperer: Animal communicators boast of a special bond, but claims can't be verified Associated Press.
  3. ^ a b McGillivray, D (2004). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pet Psychic Communication. Alpha Books. p. Back cover. ISBN 978-1-59257-214-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c Orey, C (2003). 202 Pets' Peeves: Cats and Dogs Speak Out on Pesky Human Behavior. Citadel. ISBN 0806524421.
  5. ^ a b Carroll, R (2011). The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-27242-7.
  6. ^ Lumer, S. (2005) Confessions of a Pet Psychic Lulu.com ISBN 1411618742
  7. ^ Clausing, J. (2013) Dog Psychics Transform The Way You Communicate With Your Pet Huffington Post.
  8. ^ Gracely, EJ. (1998) Why Extraordinary Claims Demand Extraordinary Proof Quackwatch.com
  9. ^ NOVA
  10. ^ New York Daily News. (2007) She Told Them Boy Was Dead. Crystal Ball Fails Psychic in MO. Kidnap
  11. ^ Waxman, S. (2002) Shooting Crap Salon.com
  12. ^ Sheldrake, R, Morgana, A. (2003) Testing a Language: Using a Parrot for Telepathy. Journal of Scientific Exploration. pg.601-615.
  13. ^ Science Framework for California Public Schools. 1990. California State Board of Education.
  14. ^ [John Archibald Wheeler| Wheeler, JA] (1979) Point of View: Drive the Pseudos Out... Skeptical Inquirer. 3:12-13.
  15. ^ Kurtz, P. (1978) Is parapsychology a science? Skeptical Inquirer. 3:14-32
  16. ^ a b Moulton ST, Kosslyn, SM (2008) Using neuroimaging to resolve the psi debate. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 20(1):182-192
  17. ^ Druckman, D, Swets, JA eds. (1988) Enhancing Human Performance: Issues, Theories, and Techniques National Academy Press, Washington DC. pg. 22
  18. ^ McConnell, RA, Clark, TK. (1991) National Academy of Sciences' Opinion on Parapsychology. Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research. 85:333-365.
  19. ^ Nickell, J. (2002) Psychic Pets and Pet Psychics. Investigative Files. 26.6.
  20. ^ Stollznow, K. (2003) The Ballad of Jed (and the Pet Psychic).Skeptical Inquirer. 19.1.
  21. ^ Blocher, R, Poppy, C. (2012) Ross and Carrie Pet the Psychic: The Case of the Transgendered Dog. Oh No! Ross and Carrie.
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  • [1] Companion Animal Healing & Communication


Category:Psychics Category:Animal care occupations Category:Pets

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