Traditional healers in Quito, Ecuador, are performing ceremonial "limpia" rituals to cleanse the chakras of local pets [1].
This practice highlights a growing intersection between ancestral spiritual beliefs and pet care, as owners seek non-medical alternatives to address animal anxiety and malaise [1, 2].
Operating within the San Francisco market, healers like Amparo Lugmana use a variety of traditional remedies to treat animals [1, 3]. The process involves the use of herbs, flower petals, and eggs to perform the cleansing [1, 2, 3]. These practitioners said the ritual can remove physical, emotional, and spiritual blockages that affect the animals [1, 2].
Pet owners bring their animals to the market when they believe their pets are struggling. One such case involved a four-year-old [3] dog named Copito. Lugmana said the animals may be "feeling down" [3].
The ritual is intended to banish these blockages and improve the overall wellbeing of the pets [1, 2]. While these services are sought after by owners, the practice of chakra cleansing for animals does not have a basis in veterinary science [1].
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, the demand for these spiritual cleansings persists in the heart of the city. The healers continue to offer these services as a way to provide relief for animals and peace of mind for their owners [1, 2].
“"feeling down"”
The rise of pet-focused spiritual healing in Quito reflects a cultural trend where traditional Andean medicine is adapted for domestic animals. While it provides emotional comfort to pet owners, the reliance on ceremonial cleansings over veterinary medicine for behavioral or health issues presents a potential gap in evidence-based animal care.
