Pet psychic eases owner's fears:
Animal lovers consult with Marla Steele about pets' health, life after death

Friday, August 5, 2005
By Shelley Shepherd Klaner
for the Press Democrat

When animal lovers can't find a beloved pet or are faced with putting one to sleep, they turn to Marla Steele, who says she can communicate with dogs, cats, even chimpanzees.

Steele, a self—proclaimed pet psychic, said she discovered her Dr. Doolittle—esque ability when her Arabian horse relayed information about her father's health.

She subsequently found out her dad had cancer, she said.

"I found out this psychic stuff was real," Steele said.

To many people, psychic abilities are at best suspect.

But Steele, who initially intended to be a veterinarian's assistant, has parlayed her claim into a career consulting with animal lovers about their pets' health.

She also has a monthly spot on KZST radio, where she answers questions from listeners.

She also has appeared on "Good Day Arizona" and other TV programs and is marketing an idea for a show of her own.

In addition to working individually with clients, who pay $50 for a half-hour, Steele appears at special events for pet stores and animal organizations.

Steele, 39, says she was intuitive as a young girl in Phoenix, having vivid dreams of visits from deceased relatives revealing things to come. But she said it wasn't until the incident with her Arabian horse in 1992 that things began popping into her head while awake, rather than asleep.

"I never planned on becoming a pet psychic," Steele said. "My life has been pretty normal actually."

Since that time she has studied energetic and spiritual healing, medical intuition and pet communication. She also is a master of the ancient Eastern healing art of Reiki, is certified in equine sports massage, and practices Shiatsu, a form of acupressure massage.

Most of her readings are done by phone in 30 to 60 minute sessions. Steele said she doesn't need to see animals to talk to them psychically because she reads their energy.

Many clients come to her grieving the death of a pet, needing closure or affirmation that they can get a new pet and not be disre spectful to the memory of the one that passed.

"They have issues from putting an animal to sleep or don't know what to do with the remains," Steele said. " They want to hold on to the unconditional love of an animal and they want to know if they will ever love another animal."

In addition to her private clients, she's been a regular guest on Brent Farris' morning show on KZST radio for the past two years.

"It's the biggest show we do," Farris said. "From the moment she starts people can't get in. That is how popular she is."

Farris said he overcame his initial skepticism, and says he's seen Steele identify callers' concern before actually hearing about it. She also helped a station employee find a lost pet, he said.

"I thought she was a nutball, but now I think she is a psychic nutball," Farris said.

Steele lives in Petaluma with her husband, Colin, three cats and two horses.

Her beloved pygmy goat died last year, but she said she knows he is OK because she dreamed he called to tell her so and she woke to find a missed call in the middle of the night on her cell phone with a message taped that was just air.