What's It Really Like to Be ... an Animal Psychic?

As an "animal and nature communication specialist," Sedona, Arizona-based Maia Kincaid provides intuitive communication services with animals, plants, and the human body. Her other services include transformational coaching and classes in animal and nature communication. She's also the author of five books, including The Joy of Being Human and Dogs Say the Darndest Things.

We chatted with Kincaid to ask her what, exactly, it's really like to be in her line of work:

S&H: Why do people need an animal communicator?
Kincaid: Most of the time people contact me because they have a question about their pet—there’s a behavior the animal has that’s disturbing, or it could be the animal’s health, or they have adopted a pet and they are wondering about the history of the animal. Also, I work quite often with people who have animals who are nearing the transition of death, and the person just wants to be there for whatever the animal wants and to respect their wishes.
How do you work?
I’ll talk with the animal telepathically and then tell the person what they said either by phone or by email. It’s really clear if they’re having any issues with their well-being: a lot of times I just feel something, maybe a heaviness, or their body just doesn’t feel very alive or vital. Or, I’ll feel their enthusiasm for life, the love that they have for their person. I’ll ask them simple questions—for instance, do you love your food? And if they do, it’ll be something like, “Yay!” or “Woohoo!” They can be quite expressive.
What’s one of the more unusual animals you’ve been asked to talk with?
I have a client—I’d talked with her dogs over the years—and one of her relatives had this newt in an aquarium, and she inherited it. So I communicated with the newt.
You also speak to plants?
I work as a consultant to growers. We talk to plants, the bugs, and the earth. A number of years ago, I was asked to communicate with a list of ingredients—they were mostly plants—in an herbal formula. I had a conversation with cilantro, just to give you an example, and that plant has this vibrant, playful, celebratory kind of energy, very distinct, and loves to interact with people as far as being eaten and celebrated. I ended up having a conversation with the plant about what it was like to be a plant, and about God. You never know what you’re going to run into.
How has your work changed since you started?
When I first started doing this, people would ask me what I did, and I got all kinds of responses. People might turn around and walk away. Nowadays, when I say what I do, people have either heard of it and they think it’s really cool, or they’ve never heard of it and they’re very fascinated and say “tell me more.” It’s actually a fun time to be doing this work.
Is there one conversation that stands out for you?
I had one where this dog said, “What I have to share is not for my woman alone, and not just for you either. This is for all humans who care to listen.” So of course I perked up. And it was kind of like a dissertation, where the dog just spoke and I just listened. I was amazed at what the dog had to say. It was all about us human beings, and basically letting us know that we are loved by the animals and that they’re there for us, but also giving us some suggestions too, like lighten up, love each other more, have more fun—basically, be more like dogs.