enlarge Photo courtesy Alan Garbow

Animal communicator Judy Garbow of Cumberland, posing with her dog Dance, will discuss her telepathic work communicating with pets this Saturday in Bridgton.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Telepathic Communication with Animals," a talk by animal communicator Judy Garbow

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot St. Hosted by the Friends of the Bridgton Public Library, the program is open to all. Seating is limited. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

GARBOW encourages attendees of Saturday's talk to bring along a picture of their pets. "I'll give a brief explanation of what I do and then give mini-readings based on the name, sex and age (of the pet). I'll give them a brief synopsis of what I'm picking up."

Robert Redford brought audiences to the theater and one horse to its knees in the 1998 movie "The Horse Whisperer."

Judy Garbow is merely hoping to lure a few individuals to the Bridgton Community Center on Saturday for a program offering a peek inside of the minds of animals.

Garbow, 55, of Cumberland is an animal communicator who says she uses telepathy, a form of nonverbal communication, to convey the thoughts or feelings of pets to their owners.

"I work with people and pets, usually companion animals," said Garbow. "When people call someone like me, they are looking for information that can help their animals. And those issues usually go back to what's happening in (the animal's) environment."

Garbow said that if there is stress, depression, anxiety or sickness in a home, animals will reflect that in their behavior.

"(Animals) are feeling beings that will do anything to show love, even to save your life if necessary," said Garbow. "They want to help, but they can't speak."

Garbow, a former dental assistant, began practicing "energy work" 20 years ago. She owns the business Prisms on Main Street in Yarmouth, sharing office space with a veterinarian who specializes in holistic practices, chiropractic work and nutrition.

"I have had an interest in health, nutrition and alternative (forms of health care) all my life," said Garbow. "I discovered that I was intuitive in animal communication and opened up to it really quickly. It's not something you just walk into. It's something you become over time."

Garbow is one of just 28 Integrated Energy Therapy master instructors worldwide. She sees clients, gives informational presentations and has been interviewed on television, though she said it's difficult to put what she does into words.

"Essentially, I read the vibrations or frequencies of an animal, picking up on what they are emanating, whether it be by (mental) pictures or thoughts," said Garbow.

Garbow said her readings are intended "to bring balance" to an animal's life by offering their owners healthy alternatives to respond to certain behaviors.

"I do a lot with rescue animals who have been through a lot of trauma and are shut down," Garbow said. "I'm not a behaviorist, but I do pick up on emotional pieces."

Vicki Emmons, owner of Spotted Horse Farm of Cumberland, has used animal communicators for more than 20 years to diagnose health and behavioral issues in her pets. She sought Garbow's counsel last spring following the death of a beloved older horse.

"My youngest horse went into a deep grieving period that had (negative) physical effects on him," said Emmons.

Garbow's interaction with the young horse, Emmons said, revealed that he was distraught by the sudden loss, which had left no time for closure.

"And he wondered if I'd do the same to him," said Emmons of the young horse. "It's not unlike telling family members that someone is dying and giving them a process to transition."

Once an issue has been addressed, Garbow refers clients to other professionals who may be able to help resolve their issues.

Staff Writer Deborah Sayer can be contacted at 791-6308 or at:

dsayer@pressherald.com