Margaret Robins is noticeably anxious and more than a little skeptical when she greets animal communicator Dale McCarthy at her home in Burkeville.
Im scared now, she said with a nervous laugh.
Robins English Springer spaniels, male siblings Maclean and Parker, have been fighting since she brought them home as puppies eight years ago.
Maclean is a Canadian and American multiple award winning show dog, she said. I was just going to get him but my daughter, Lauren, who at the time was five, bonded with Parker, so we took them both.
Maclean is nervous and the other is completely hyper and they fight constantly they cause me a lot of stress.
She also added that Maclean to this day has not bonded with her daughter, 13-year-old Lauren.
Robins hired McCarthy, because, Im anxious all the time and I hope she can give me insight into how I can interact with them so they dont fight all the time.
Then, the 49-year-old pet owner turned to McCarthy and asked her if she should bring the dogs into the room.
No, I dont even need to see them, said the self-professed animal communicator. Ive already communicated with them and Ive written down what they said to me.
Hearing that, Robins appeared to be even more cynical.
McCarthy went on to say that prior to meeting with owners, she only asks for the name, age, sex and breed of the animals.
I dont want any other information as that way, everything I get is from the pets perspective rather than the owners, she said.
The evening before McCarthy meets with any animal, shell ask the owners to talk to their pets and give them permission to communicate with her so that she can find out what they are thinking.
I do my own type of permission so that it connects us it sort of like a cell phone call, its all energy based, added McCarthy.
That morning, before she came over to Robins home, McCarthy said: I sat quietly and let them (the dogs) know Im ready to listen and just write down whatever thoughts and images that I get.
Usually its little tidbits about their personality and other things that are going on (e.g., the horse that let me know it had a sore mouth on the left side and the bit hurt). I usually get a couple of pages of notes from the pets.
A lot of the time, most of the questions that owners have are already answered by what their pets told me beforehand, she added.
As McCarthy read her pages of notes about her dogs, Robins wiped tears from her eyes.
Im frankly stunned, she said. I cant believe you got that last night I didnt realize. Im so completely wowed.
McCarthy told Robins about her dogs sibling rivalry, jealousy, and that their disruptive behaviour was caused by Robins own anxiety.
Looking at Robins, McCarthy told her, As soon as you have a thought or feeling, it goes through you to them you dont even have to speak because they already know what you are feeling.
Theres a lack of calmness in the home. There is something that is going on with you and you need to make yourself a priority.
To this, Robins nodded yes.
It was about a dozen years ago when McCarthy learned she had the gift to communicate with animals. She always knew she had a strong connection with our four-legged friends, she just didnt realize how strong.
She took a two-day course in moving horses by using energy instead of touch. The instructor later told McCarthy she was one of the best horse communicators shed ever witnessed.
At the time, McCarthy was very apprehensive about telling her coworkers at KVOS/TV where she was a television producer for more than 11 years about her ability to communicate with animals.
I thought maybe they would think I was some kind of kook, she added.
When KVOS/TV was bought out and McCarthy had time to evaluate her life, she decided to pursue her passion.
Dr. Stanley Cohen, a University of B.C. psychologist and author of a series of bestselling books about dogs, isnt convinced someone can telepathically talk to animals.
He believes many dog owners who hire dog whisperers or communicators are simply grasping at straws because they are frustrated with their dogs bad behaviour.
Most animal communicators are great show, great theatre, said Cohen, from his home in Chilliwack.
Having said that, some are very skilled at reading dogs emotional responses if they go into their home and watch them interact. The most competent ones know how to read dogs in the context of their home environment.
However, without seeing them, animal communicators are just great story tellers.
When asked about Cohens remarks, Robins said it doesnt change a thing for her she is a believer.
I think you have to experience it (Dales abilities) for yourself, said Robins, adding shes read Cohens books on dog behaviour.
How could she have known what she knew about my dogs? She helped me immensely. This morning, I did exactly what Dale told me to do and I havent seen their crazy behaviour Im amazed and I was blown away.
For more information, call McCarthy at 778-330-6936 or visit www.dalemccarthy.com. The cost per session starts at $150. McCarthy provides each pet owner with a detailed written statement of her session.
