IT'S the favoured fad of Hollywood's leading celebrities - but now pampered pets can follow their lead by de-stressing with a reiki session.
One of the region's top boarding kennels is offering the alternative therapy to help relax excitable animals.
And it is believed to be the first in the country to offer the treatment.
Glenbrittle Kennels, of Chester High Road, near Ness, has a reiki room, complete with rainbow paintings and soothing music, to help cossetted cats and dogs find their inner calm.
A specialist practitioner lays hands on the animal in a one-hour session, costing £20.
Although they emphasise it should not be used instead of medical treatment, it is offered as a complementary treatment for poorly pets or as a treat.
Owner Carl Weaver, whose parents started the business, said: "We see a big difference in most animals after they have had a session. It does really calm them down.
"It was something we decided we wanted to introduce after talking to clients and finding out what services they wanted to see offered.
"Our practitioner was trained to practise on humans but has since specialised in animals.
"It's about taking pet care to the next level. This is my life, I have grown up with this and I am always looking for the very best ways to treat animals."
Reiki is an ancient healing art, thought to have originated as a Tibetan Buddhist practice. It was rediscovered in the late 1800s by Dr Mikao Usui and has become a favourite with top celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry.
It is used to alleviate fatigue, reduce stress and promote relaxation as well as help physical problems such as joint stiffness and problems with the immune system.
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