Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Lane.
Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up with animals—birds, dogs, gerbils, hermit crabs, and rabbits. I loved them, but I wasn’t a very good caretaker at first. I think I’m one of the few animal communicators who didn’t start out at a young age galumphing through the forest and chatting to all the animals. I had to transform. A lot.
That transformation began in my twenties, with a little black cat named Bandit. He was one of a litter of black beauties who were casually thrown into a dumpster by someone trying, I guess, to get rid of a ‘problem.’ Their problem became my salvation.
My twenties were a nightmare of drugs and alcohol, but the one constant, the one being who loved me no matter what wreckage I seemed to cause, was my cat Bandit. Gradually, because of my relationship with him, I started to awaken, to authentically open my heart. Not just to my cat, who, I discovered, was wondrous and beautiful and fascinating—but I began to open my heart to the whole world. And to all animals. Bandit made me realize that the friendship and love with an animal is no different and no less deep than that with another human.
By my forties, I was particularly drawn to animals. Thanks to Bandit, I adopted more cats. He made me a crazy cat man. I was also that weirdo that, if you were walking your dog on the street, I would be so wrapped up in greeting your dog, I’d kind of forget you were there.
I got sober, my awareness and sensitivity deepened, and I became a vegetarian and then a vegan. Those were absolutely necessary changes for me. And they were surprisingly easy.
In 2013, I went on a month-long trip to Thailand to volunteer at a village that rescues elephants. The experiences I had with those special, highly-evolved animals led directly to another ‘life rebirth,’ as I like to call it (the first ‘rebirth’ being sobriety).
By this time, I had a successful career in Hollywood as an editor, but after meeting those elephants I knew I had to steer my life into service for animals. I just didn’t know what that would look like. I began writing a novel—about animals, of course—but even that didn’t seem to be enough. Perhaps because it was still not directly touching an animal’s life.
I volunteered at shelters and places like Farm Sanctuary. But I felt that there was something in me that could help them beyond shoveling out pens and litter boxes (which I don’t mind at all, by the way). I took a beginner’s class in animal communicating with my eventual teacher, Joan Ranquet.
Once I tried animal communication myself and saw that it really worked, I felt like I had struck gold. And now, after opening my own business, I LOVE being a voice for animals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No. I knew that if I truly wanted to follow my own heart, I had to blaze my own path. That is frightening at times. I’ve had to be willing to start at the beginning in a new career—and, basically, a new life—in my late forties.
It’s been hard. It doesn’t pay off right away. I’ve had to rewire my brain and my heart. I’ve had to face self-doubt, uncertainty, and constant ‘transition.’ Should I really do this? Turn away from a six-figure income to talk to animals?
Yes. I’ve had to accept that I am where I’m supposed to be. I’m pursuing the things that I love, and that I’m good at. I’m being of service to animals. It’s all worth it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I call my business ‘Animal Michael Lane’ because I want the ‘Animal’ part out in front. I communicate with animals using telepathy, which is simply the transference of pictures, words, and feelings. I mostly communicate with cats, dogs, and horses, but I can communicate with any animals. I’ve also communicated with cows, pigs, chickens, snakes, lions, elephants, and more.
I also offer some healing modalities for animals. One is called ‘EFT’ tapping. ‘EFT’ stands for ‘Emotional Freedom Technique,’ and it’s a great technique to help with behavioral or trauma issues. EFT is used on humans all the time. It has been shown to help with PTSD, for example. But not many people know that it works on animals, too!
Another service I offer is Scalar Wave Energy Healing, which is great for health issues, or an animal with a hopped-up nervous system. All of these services can be performed remotely on the telephone, or in a video chat. I just need a decent photo of the animal.
I am proud of the results I get. The healing I see. Sometimes after only one session. A feral, traumatized cat, constantly attacking the other cats in his household, not lashing out anymore. A dog, chewing and ripping things up in his house, stopping the behavior. A cat, having trouble keeping food down after dealing with a kidney infection, eating normally again.
I also love getting the animal’s point of view of the bond they feel with the human. The human often knows that their animal loves them, but hearing me confirm that really makes them happy.
I am most proud of the way I work that I put the animals first. They get to tell their stories. I don’t try and manipulate them or coerce them. I just listen. And with their human, I am creative in coming up with solutions to try and improve the situation with their animals. I’m a good problem solver.
What sets me apart is that I keep everything practical. I do my best to demystify this work and empower my clients. To give them the confidence to work and heal with their animals themselves. When a session is over, my clients often tell me that they feel a deeper connection with their animals. That’s what it’s all about!
The other thing that sets me apart is that I’m a man doing this work. I’m proud of that. We need more men doing this.
What were you like growing up?
I was a smart kid, but intense and kind of fearful. I felt like I didn’t fit in. I had many varied interests—movies, writing, sports, and animals, too. I was really sensitive and empathic, which is why I related so much to animals.
But my choices weren’t always great, and I felt lost a lot of the time. I got straight A’s in school, but the social aspect was tough for me. I was painfully shy. I had some good friends, but few who really knew me. But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Those good grades got to me to school out here in Los Angeles. And the openness, freedom, and creativity here has nurtured me and exposed me to experiences that changed my life; as well as allowed me to connect with so many people who love their animals and value what I do. Los Angeles is the place where the creatives and the healers find good homes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.animalmichaellane.com/
- Email: [email protected]
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