SICK horses at the Animal Support and Rescue in Howwood are said to be given a new lease of life thanks to Reiki treatments from a Bridge of Weir based 'healer'.

Reiki is claimed to be a health restoring technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy from their hands into the patient.

The practice is thought to activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

Aileen Naismith visits animals across Renfrewshire hoping to provide emotional relief to creatures that have suffered trauma, abuse or neglect.

She also believes that the therapy has a calming effect on highly strung or nervous animals.

As many of the horses at the Animal Support and Rescue are older, suffer from illness or were subjected to neglect, Aileen feels that Reiki is very beneficial to relieving their stress.

Aileen said: "I have always enjoyed spending time in the company of animals. They show us how to truly live in the moment and they enrich our lives in so many ways.

"Horses are incredibly sensitive and I marvel at their wisdom and spirituality.

"To me Reiki is about holding a peaceful and compassionate meditative space in which we can connect with others in an open-hearted way.

"The foundation of my animal Reiki practice is trust and I always work in partnership with an animal.

"Reiki is ideal for animals because it is gentle, non-invasive and does not require physical contact. For healthy animals it is a way to help maintain their wellbeing.

"It can offer emotional relief to animals who have suffered trauma, abuse or neglect and for highly strung or nervous animals it can have a calming effect.

"For an animal nearing the end of its life Reiki can provide comfort."

Aileen is a member of Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA), a not-for-profit organisation which trains animal lovers to support shelters and sanctuaries with the wellbeing of the animals in their care through Reiki.

She offers Reiki to these animals at no cost, and all the money raised from private sessions is donated to community-based animal welfare charities such as Animal Support and Rescue in Howwood.

To find out more about the treatments visit www.facebook.com/aileennaismithreikiforanimals/