Stories
Real conversations, real outcomes
These are stories from people who've sat on the other end of a session with me — sometimes laughing, sometimes crying, almost always surprised by what their animal had to say. Some are testimonials in their own words. Others are excerpts from sessions, with names changed to protect privacy.
What they have in common is that something shifted. A behavior made sense. A health concern got named before the vet confirmed it. A grief loosened its grip. A relationship deepened.
If you're trying to decide whether this work is for you, the stories below are the most honest answer I can give you.
When something is wrong but you don't know what
The most common reason people first contact me is that they sense something is off with their animal — they just can't put their finger on it. Sometimes it's a health issue the vet hasn't found yet. Sometimes it's pain they're hiding. Animals don't have the vocabulary; I help bridge that gap.
Max, a 14-year-old Persian cat
"Max told Debbie he had an earache and his right ear hurt more than the left. He also told Debbie that he felt dehydrated. Max shared that he wasn't ready to transition — he just needed some medicine to help him feel better. The vet confirmed exactly that a few hours later."
— Barbara, Scottsdale, Arizona
Session Excerpt: Rosebud, a dog with mysterious pain
The first thing I noticed when I connected to Rosebud was the pain in her hips, which radiated down her backside into her upper legs and thighs — especially pronounced on the back left side, all the way down to her foot. There was also pain radiating up to the left side of her neck. I picked up some congestion in her chest, itchy on the inside like an allergy. When I asked if this was why she wasn't eating, she told me yes.
What her person had been worried might be a viral infection turned out to be active joint inflammation, likely arthritis, complicated by a possible food allergy. Knowing where the pain was — and what was driving it — meant her person could ask the vet the right questions and adjust her food.
Mitzie's food
"I went to Bonnie's Barkery yesterday and found a Fromm's weight maintenance formula with whitefish and salmon as the protein sources. I started Mitzie on it yesterday, mixing with the old food, and she loved it! Afterwards she came over and thanked me with wags and kisses. She seems so happy and bouncy since our session. Wanted you to know — and thanks again!"
— Mary & Bill, Phoenix, Arizona
When behavior doesn't make sense
Animals don't act out for no reason — but the reason isn't always something a human can guess from the outside. Behavior sessions are often the ones that surprise people the most, because the answer is rarely what they expected.
A Jack Russell terrier who ate the leather furniture
"Two years ago, we adopted a 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier and were so excited to have him. About three weeks in, he started eating our perfect leather furniture. We tried everything to get him to stop — nothing worked.
A friend who trains dogs recommended Debbie. On our call, Debbie also told me information about our Boston Terrier who had passed away a couple of months prior — that just floored me, because I hadn't mentioned anything about her passing. She was spot on.
She reached out to Max, our dog, and got a better understanding of his issues and background. She also performed a couple of Emotion Code sessions, which helped him tremendously. Being a Jack Russell, he'll always have high anxieties — but now they're so much more in check and manageable. From time to time I still reach out to her, and she helps me with whatever is going on."
— Adoptive family, Jack Russell terrier
Session Excerpt: Star, a horse who fought every ride
I asked Star why she argued so much when being ridden. What came back wasn't defiance — it was fear. She told me she was afraid of growing to love her person and then being moved again. She'd been so conditioned by past handling that she believed she had to do something to earn love and acceptance. Anytime I mentioned being ridden or going on a trail ride, she got tense.
What helped her wasn't more training. It was being allowed to just be for a while. When she could feel that her person accepted her for who she was rather than what she did, she could finally start to engage in life again.
When it might be time to say goodbye
This is the conversation people are most afraid to have — with their vet, with their family, with themselves. Are they ready? Am I doing the right thing? Am I doing it too soon, or too late? Often the only one who actually knows the answer is the animal. I help you ask.
Siama, a cat ready to be released
"I forgot to tell you this on Wednesday, but between sending you the email regarding my intentions to help Siama transition and receiving your reply, I laid on the floor next to her and she relaxed with her face in my hand. She literally sighed, then seemed to fall asleep. It was only moments after that I saw your message about her sigh of relief. I experienced it as you were feeling it."
— Lisa, Phoenix, Arizona
Sasha, a Yorkie who sent a sign
"Last October I had to put my fifteen-year-old Yorkshire to sleep, and it was a devastating time for us. She was very sick, but I needed to know she thought it was okay. I contacted Debbie, who emailed me the answers to my three questions — comforting and kind of what I expected to hear.
But the next day she emailed me again, saying Sasha had come back to her with an orange and blue ball and kept throwing it down until Debbie agreed to tell me about it. I dismissed it immediately. Sasha never played with balls — she just didn't 'get' it. I put the email away.
In January, I finally convinced my husband I needed another dog. My daughter found a Yorkie in foster care online. I asked to adopt him; they said three other people wanted him. I was discouraged. That night they called and said I could have him — they had a feeling we were right for him.
Imagine my reaction when the only thing he came with was an orange and blue ball.
I believe my Sasha sent him to us, and we love him dearly. Debbie didn't have to send that second email. But she did — thankfully."
— Colleen, California
When goodbye isn't the end
For about half the people who book a session with me, the animal they want to talk to has already crossed over. The bond doesn't end at goodbye. Animals in spirit have things to say — about their passing, about their person, about what's coming next. These are the sessions that mean the most to me, and to the people who book them.
Horton, a little pug
"Thank you, Debbie. You have helped me tremendously. Since the first reading I have changed, become happier, healed a great deal — I have a new sense of joy. And I haven't cried in a while either. I wish I had contacted you a long time ago, but I don't think I was ready then.
The loss of Horton took me to a place of hurt I had never been before, and you helped me see things from a different point of view. Hearing from Horton was the most wonderful gift. Even David says I am happier than he has seen me in years, and for this I thank you."
— Andrea, Melbourne, Australia
Gizzy, a beloved cat
"I lost my Gizzy on July 10, 2019, and sunk into a deep depression. For months I searched for an animal communicator who could connect me with her. I hired three different professionals. The best is Debbie Johnstone.
Being able to connect with Gizzy through Debbie once a month pulled me out of the darkness. She is a really special person and gifted at what she does. I would love to someday speak to my animals like her, and I hope to through her monthly classes.
I'm so very glad I found Debbie, and I'll continue to support her work — taking her classes, staying connected to my fur babies through her. I highly recommend her to anyone suffering from grief over the loss of a beloved pet, or just looking to be closer to their fur baby. You'll be happier for it."
— Mar W., Phoenix, Arizona
Lily, a cat who came back to comfort
"Debbie was recommended to me by a sweet lady on the rainbow bridge website after the passing of my beautiful cat Lily. She was so caring and sweet, it was easy to be comfortable around her and share what I was feeling. She assured me my kitty was still with me in spirit form, worried about my heart because I missed her so badly — yet grateful I had let her go. It gave me peace knowing she was still with me, and gave me guidance to find my new kitten Rosie. Her gift and services were very much appreciated, and I will be booking more sessions for sure."
— Leah Turvey, Alberta, Canada
Session Excerpt: Maggie, a dog planning her return
Has Maggie incarnated? If so, where is she?
She hadn't yet — but she was wanting to come back to her family and had been around them a lot recently. She wanted to come back as a puppy. She told me to pay attention to any friend, co-worker, or acquaintance who mentioned that their dog (or someone they knew) was going to have a puppy. That would be the chain. She showed me three links — a man and two women involved.
She also wanted her person to know she was safe, and that she'd do her best to send messages and clues. Trust your own guidance, she said. Set an intention. Let other people know you're looking. Once you find the litter, look at the girls.
When everyday life just needs translation
Not every session is dramatic. Sometimes people simply want to know what their animal is thinking — about a new job schedule, a move, a roommate, a routine. These are some of my favorite sessions, because they're the kind of conversations any housemate would have. The only difference is that the housemate has fur.
Session Excerpt: Bella, a dog adjusting to her person's work hours
When I connected with Bella, she was awake — looked like she was on the chair, then jumped up on the couch and laid down with her head up, very attentive.
I explained that her person was working longer hours and would be later picking her up. Bella sent me a picture back: she understood it might be dark when her person came home. She didn't like it, but she wasn't upset or mad. She told me she understood, and wouldn't worry.
She did ask if she could have the TV on, or some music, to keep her company.
When her person mentioned wanting more time together: more time with you is better, she said. But she understood it was for a short period, and she'd be okay. She also wanted her person to know she'd miss her. Big time.
Karen's pack — Rocky, Lucy, Sammie, Max, and Allie
"Thank you so much — what an awesome session. So helpful, and I feel more connected than ever to my kiddos. So wonderful to meet and work with you.
It's been so interesting to notice things differently after talking with you. I've made good on all the requests — Rocky is really enjoying his extra play time. Lucy has a new baby she loves. And I'm making sure Sammie has softer food options. She has an even bigger place in my heart now that I understand her level of connectedness to me and my mom."
— Karen W., Waukesha, Wisconsin
Session Excerpt: Jace, a cat who chose his home
Jace confirmed he'd been on his own for a while — had run away from his previous home, where he wasn't happy. He kept showing me a kitchen with linoleum floor, a woven rug, an older refrigerator. He'd stayed up high to avoid a large black lab who bothered him. He escaped out the back door.
He felt drawn to find another home, he said. He wasn't where he was meant to be.
When his new person asked if he'd be respectful of her other cats, he said he wanted her home to be his home — but it might take time to adjust. He'd been through some scary things.
She also asked if he was acquainted with her late cat Jose. He said he didn't recognize that name — but she felt very familiar to him. Like he'd known her before.
Sometimes that happens. Animals find their way back.
Ready for your own conversation?
Whatever you're carrying — a behavior puzzle, a health worry, a goodbye, or just a question you've never been able to ask out loud — there's a session for that.