Animal Communicator in Portland, Oregon — What to Expect from a Session with Michelle Hawk
If you've been curious about animal communication but aren't sure what actually happens in a session, you're not alone. Most people come to their first session with a mix of hope, curiosity, and at least a little skepticism. That's completely normal — and it doesn't get in the way of the work.
I'm Michelle Hawk, a professional animal communicator and pet psychic based in Portland, Oregon. I've been offering animal communication sessions since 2008, and I've worked with over a thousand clients — from Portland and the Columbia River Gorge to clients across the US and worldwide. Let’s dive in, and I’ll walk you through exactly what you can expect before, during, and after a session, so you feel informed and ready when you decide to book.
What Is Animal Communication, Exactly?
Animal communication — sometimes called a pet psychic reading, animal whispering, or pet medium session — is a form of intuitive mediumship. It's based on the understanding that all living things are connected through a shared consciousness, and that it's possible to form an energetic connection with an animal and receive and translate their thoughts, feelings, and messages.
In practice this means I connect with your pet energetically and act as a translator — conveying what your animal shares with me in as close to their own words as possible. Animals communicate through pictures, words or phrases, body sensations, smells, and a sense of direct knowing. Some animals are more visual, some more verbal, some more feeling-oriented — just like people.
One of the most common questions I get is whether animal communication works at a distance. The answer is yes — completely. Because the connection is energetic rather than physical, I can communicate with your pet whether they're in the same room, across the country, or have passed on. The vast majority of my sessions are virtual, via Zoom, with clients in Portland and worldwide.
I got into animal communication in 2008 after my childhood dog passed away. I loved her and I missed her so much, and I still felt a strong connection to her spirit even through the pain of missing her physical presence. I felt her energy around me, sending me signs and messages.
That strong feeling led me to take an animal communication class because I wanted to stay connected with her. But during the class, I realized how much I had already been communicating not only with my dog, but with many animals throughout my entire life. I realized that animals are communicating with us all the time, and when we learn how to listen, our connection grows that much stronger, more rich and fulfilling. Since then, I have shared my animal communication practice with others who love their animals and want to hear them clearly.
What Can You Bring to an Animal Communication Session?
People come to me for many different reasons. Some are dealing with a specific challenge; others simply want to check in with their pet and make sure they're happy. Here are some of the most common reasons Portland-area and online clients book sessions:
Behavior challenges are one of the most frequent reasons people reach out. Dog reactivity, aggression, cats eliminating outside the litter box, horses clashing with their rider, birds plucking feathers — these are all situations where hearing directly from your animal can reveal what's beneath the behavior in a way that behavioral training alone often can't.
Health concerns are another common reason. I'm not a veterinarian and I can't officially diagnose anything — but I can ask your animal how they're feeling, where in their body they're experiencing discomfort, and tune in energetically for more information. Many clients find this kind of session especially helpful for "mystery maladies" that haven't responded to conventional diagnosis, or for checking in on whether a treatment plan is actually helping.
End-of-life support is some of the most meaningful work I do. If your pet is aging or ill, animal communication can help you understand what they need for comfort, whether they're ready to go, and what they want to tell you before they leave. Many people find these sessions bring profound peace to what is otherwise one of the hardest experiences of loving an animal.
Connecting with pets who have passed on is also possible, and deeply healing for many people. I recommend waiting at least a month after a pet passes before booking, to allow grief to soften and support the clearest possible connection.
Other common reasons include adopting a new pet, moving to a new home, welcoming a new baby or family member, and simple happiness check-ins — because sometimes you just want to know that your beloved animal is living their best life.
What Happens in a Session — Step by Step
Here's exactly what a typical session looks like:
Before Your Session
Once you book, you'll receive an intake form to complete before your appointment. The most important thing you'll submit is a clear, recent photo of your animal — this is the only thing I need to make a connection. Your pet does not need to be present, awake, or even nearby during the session.
Take some time before your appointment to think about your questions. What do you most want to understand? What would you most like to tell your pet? There are no wrong questions.
During Your Session
I begin by connecting with the spirit of your pet and verify with you that I'm speaking with the correct animal. I then invite your animal to share whatever is on their mind — often this relates directly to why you've booked, but sometimes unexpected information comes through that turns out to be the most valuable part of the session.
Once your animal has shared their opening thoughts, I turn to you for specific questions. You ask one at a time, and I convey what your animal shares as closely to their own words as possible — including words, images, sensations, emotions, and more. At the close of the session, I ask your animal if they have anything else to share before we finish.
If your session is on Zoom, you have the option to record it so you can revisit the conversation later. Many clients tell me they listen to their recording multiple times and notice new things each time.
After Your Session
Depending on what comes up, I may send a follow-up email with recommendations, resources, or referrals — including information on nutrition and supplements, training and behavior support, or connections to other practitioners who might help.
Who I Work With
While most of my sessions are with dogs, cats, and horses, I've successfully communicated with birds, rabbits, snakes, lizards, goats, sheep, rats, squirrels, guinea pigs, and a wide range of exotic pets. All species are welcome.
I offer in-person sessions throughout the greater Portland, Oregon area and the Columbia River Gorge — in your home, at a barn, or wherever your animal is most comfortable. Virtual sessions via Zoom are available for clients anywhere in the world.
One of my most memorable in-person sessions in Portland took place several years ago, with a dog who was in the final stages of her life. Her family reached out to me when her health suddenly took a turn, and they wanted to confirm that it was time to help her go. I was able to squeeze an in-person session in my schedule the following day, so I went to their house and got to share this dog’s final messages for her family. Everyone was crying (myself included) and the dog was simply overflowing with love, gratitude and care for her family. The people told me after we finished our session that they had scheduled an in-home euthanasia for an hour later, and were now feeling clear and peaceful about helping their dog to make her crossing.
I have helped many animals through virtual sessions, but it always feels a little extra special when I’m able to meet with clients in person in Portland, especially for tender moments like that one.
A Note on Skepticism
Some of my clients arrive skeptical. That's fine — animal communication works whether you believe in it or not. What consistently convinces people isn't anything I say about the process; it's the specific, verifiable details that come through. Animals share exact physical symptoms, precise locations in the home, personality quirks, and other details I couldn't have known. The proof, as they say, is in the session.
If you're not sure whether animal communication is right for your situation, I encourage you to read what past clients have shared about their experiences before you book.
How to Book an Animal Communication Session in Portland, OR
Sessions start at $100 for a 20-minute virtual session and $250 for a 60-minute session. In-person sessions in the Portland area are available by arrangement.
Booking is straightforward: choose your session length on the calendar, submit your intake form with a photo of your animal, and take a few minutes to think about your questions. That's all you need to do to prepare.
If your situation is urgent or time sensitive — particularly in the case of a lost or missing pet — please email me directly for priority scheduling.
I've been doing this work for over 20 years, and I still find every session extraordinary. Animals have so much to say. I'd love to help you hear them.
Michelle Hawk is a professional animal communicator, pet psychic, and biologist based in Portland, Oregon. She offers virtual animal communication sessions worldwide and in-person sessions throughout the greater Portland area and Columbia River Gorge.