Frequently Asked Questions

Instant answers to the most common questions about this work and how to get started with me

Small graphic of a yellow watercolor butterfly

Scheduling Questions

  • I am located in Bellingham, Washington and I offer sessions across the US and worldwide via Zoom

  • I offer sessions only over Zoom or phone because it is a better format for pets to share.

    Meeting on Zoom, your pets will be more present and relaxed

    No travel time or excitement when a visitor arrives means fewer distractions for your pets, so they can just relax and share their feelings. Fewer distractions also mean it’s easier for me to pick up and share every single feeling your animal friends have to share with you. 

    On Zoom, it is easier for you to focus on what your pets are sharing

    Meeting virtually means you don’t need to wrangle or manage your pet's behavior in a new environment or when receiving a visitor, while also trying to listen to what your pet has to share, freeing you to just cozy in and focus on what you and your pet have to talk about. 

    We can record sessions

    If you want a recording of your session so you can revisit what your pets have shared with you, a Zoom meeting allows for a clear, crisp recording.  

    It's more relaxing for your pets

    During virtual animal communication sessions, most pets go into a very tranquil, peaceful state or fall asleep during our conversation. This is a precious gift for anxious and hyperactive pets, freeing you both to just snuggle up in the comfort of your own home with your pets for the session.  

  • Yes, I can. The process of communicating intuitively with pets who have passed is the same as connecting with pets who are alive.

    In-spirit animal communication sessions are so helpful for pet loss grief support and for creating closure.

    All I need is a clear photo of your animal friend to tune in with them. In -spirit animal communication sessions focus on what your animal wants to share with you about their life, their passing and their connection with you.

  • You are welcome to take care of payment for a loved one’s session but they will need to be the one to request a session and book a time with me.

  • I work with clients Tuesday through Saturday. My typical hours are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM PT, with limited morning appointments available during the summer.

  • You are absolutely safe with me! I believe in honoring and respecting the diversity of genders, bodies, and relationships.

  • In the years of offering this work, I've found that short check-ins do not give your animal friend enough time to share the important things they have to share with you.

    I don't offer counselling, but I invite you to think about this work a little like a couples counselling session for you and your pet.

    Like with counselling, 15-20 minutes isn't nearly enough time to get to the root of an issue and talk about in ways that each of you leave feeling heard and understood.

    For this reason, one-hour sessions are my minim offering.

  • If you have just a few questions to ask your pet, like how they are feeling right now and what they feel about their life with you, single sessions are fantastic. The single session will help you deepen your understanding of what your pet is feeling and needing from you at this time. 

    BUT... for bigger issues like navigating health changes with your senior pet or helping your new rescued dog adjust to their new life with you, packages are best to make sure you and your pet have enough space and time. 

small graphic of a yellow cat playing with a yellow butterfly

Questions about Animal Communication

  • When you request a session with me, I'll ask for a few photos of your pet (that clearly show their face and eyes without any other pets or people in the photo) as well as a few specific questions including: your name, your pet's name and age (if living), and what you want from the session.

    Your answers to these questions help me determine if I can help you for what you are looking for. 

    What I don’t need and prefer to not know ahead of time, is your pet’s full life story and everything you think might be happening with your pets as knowing too much ahead of time can block my intuitive channels.

  • It’s best if the pet’s primary human is on the call with us. If that’s not possible, please get consent from the pet’s primary caregiver before we proceed.

  • Yes, animal communication can help with behavior issues by helping you understand your pet’s emotions and why they are doing what they are doing and what they need to learn something new. This can help you create a solid plan for positive reinforcement training and help you have more empathy for your pet’s needs.

    Animal communicators however, wont tell your pet to stop or change their behavior, that’s not how this works and it wouldn’t be effective for creating long lasting change.

  • I can communicate with all kinds of animals, though my specialty is working with domesticated pets like dogs and cats.

  • I’m sorry, but I don’t offer services for locating lost pets.
    Lost animals are often scared and on the move, making it difficult and costly to track them through animal communication.

    For the best outcome, I recommend contacting a local animal tracker within 24 hours of your pet going missing.

  • When you schedule with me, you’ll receive a confirmation email with helpful tips, including:

    • How to create a quiet, distraction-free space for our call

    • Tips on how to word questions

    • How to prepare your pet for their session

  • You are welcome to invite one extra person who is invested in the process to be a part of our call; however, I find that having too many people on the call can be overwhelming and makes it harder for me to do my best work. To do this highly subtle and sensitive work I need to be in an environment without distractions.

    It's also important to know that sessions can be quite personal, and your animal may share personal information about your life together.

  • 1. Tell your pet about the session

    Starting a few days before your conversation, please tell your animal (even animals who are deaf) in your own words out loud about the session. When talking with them, look them in the eyes, relax your breathing and speak from your heart

    2. Create a quiet place to cozy in for our call

    Create a space for you (and your pet) where you wont be distracted or interrupted. Be sure your phone or computer is fully charged and be sure to have some Kleenex handy for when your emotions start to flow.

    3. Let your animals be themselves

    It is okay to let your animal do what they normally would do.

    Your pets can be in the same room as you, or not. OFTEN animals get still during a session, some even fall deeply asleep. Not ALL animals, mind you, but many do. If your best animal friend tends to be a super busy bee, let them. Chances are it won’t take away from our call in the least. It is most important that you are both comfortable for the duration of your session.

small graphic of a yellow butterfly

General questions

  • Yes! My Reclaiming Center sessions will help you tansform what is blocking you so you feel grounded to your intuitive wisdom again

    You can check out this offering by following this link

  • You can preview my privacy policy by following this link

    You can preview my new client agreement which outlines my policies by following this link

Session Options

  • Joanna the animal communicator sitting with her dog in the grass

    Animal Communication

    See the world through your pet’s eyes and understand what they feel and need to feel safe, loved, and intuitively connected with you

    Get the details
  • photo of a happy black and tan rescued walking intently towards the camera

    Support For Rescued Dogs

    Understand what your rescued dog wants you to know about their past and what they need to move forward with you

    Get the details
  • photo of a happy black and tan rescued walking intently towards the camera

    Support For Senior Pets

    Understand your senior pet’s changing needs so you can navigate their elder years with grace and love

    Get the details
  • Animal communicator, Joanna Schmidt in the garden at dusk with her two black and tan rescued dogs

    Multiple Pet Package

    A 4-session package to give each of your pets time to share what they are feeling and needing, so no one in your animal family feels left out.

    Get the details
  • A woman with curly hair, glasses, and earrings stands outdoors in a garden, touching her ear with her right hand while holding a tree branch with her left hand.

    Reclaiming Center

    Guided journeys to your heart to transform what is blocking you so you feel grounded to your intuitive wisdom again

    Get the details

What clients say

  • A woman with curly hair and glasses smiling while holding a black and white cat outdoors with a green blurred background.

    ”Joanna made me see how my beautiful new pet mirrored me,

    and that we both had a similar journey of healing ahead of us. It opened up an opportunity that I hadn't anticipated. Thank you, Joanna!"

    - Maria

  • A woman with curly hair in a white blouse and glasses sitting on green grass outdoors, smiling, with a large black and tan dog wearing a flower necklace and ribbons in the foreground. The background features trees with sunlight filtering through.

    "Joanna was of invaluable service in communicating with my beloved companion dog, Bruno.

    She sees, tastes, and smells the juicy sensations of what it means to be an animal.”

    — Patricia M

  • Person with curly hair standing outdoors with arms outstretched, facing away, in front of trees with sunlight filtering through.

    “Receiving this reading helped to make the integration with our new puppy so much easier for everyone.

    I have received many different types of readings over the years and can honestly say that this animal communication session with Joanna was one of the best.”

    .-Calista Z. -Via Google Review

  • A book titled 'When Spirit and Earth Meet' by Ioanna Schmidt, placed on rocks surrounded by yellow flower petals and some purple petals, with a blurred background of grass or moss.

    "Your book is a treasure.

    It’s completely flipped the way I walk through the day. I never realized how heavy and to me hurtful defensive protective boundaries were! I never got the chance to feel how my own energy works because I was so busy being afraid and feeling vulnerable.”

    — Cheyenne

  • A woman with curly hair and glasses holding a black-and-white cat outdoors in sunlight, both looking into the distance.

    "Monks has been noticeably more confident, Sophie less fearful.

    We the humans too have a better understanding of how to communicate to the furry girls- all around a successful change! You are amazing!”

    -Rob, Keri, Ryan and the "furry girls

  • People sitting on a bench with a black and brown dog lying down, being petted on the head, holding a yellow notepad and a pen.

    "Joanna's insight into my dog's anxiety was incredible.

    She found items in our household that were triggering her and was able to communicate to us for her why it was happening. I was skeptical prior to the session, but after - a true believer of Joanna's gifts! We followed her suggestions and saw a profound positive change in Nellie that lasted the rest of her life.

    -Heather M. (via Google review)

  • A woman smiling and playing with two Bernese Mountain Dogs on a grassy yard with trees in the background during sunset.

    I have worked with Joanna for years, using her for communication with my dogs (both living and those who have passed).

    Working with Joanna is magical, touching, wonderful ... the emotions! The stories our furry loved ones tell us via Joanna ... truly amazing. The opportunity to communicate back to them ... equally amazing. I treasure Joanna and her abilities. A very special woman.

    Deborah Bruner (Via Google reviews)