I’m always curious about what makes people tick: how do they choose their work in the world, and what does it mean? I’m even more curious when they write a book and I get a chance to review it.

Does the book make a difference? Does the writer? I’m happy to say, in this case, yes. Twice.

Joan Ranquet is an animal communicator, author, and founder of Communication with All Life University. That means she works as an animal communicator, writes about it, and teaches it to people who either want to become professional animal communicators or who simply want to create a better relationship with their animal family members.

Communication with All Life: Revelations of an Animal Communicator, was published by Hay House in 2007. It’s a rarity: a book that will stand the test of time, remaining inspiring and relevant to an audience that is increasingly interested in animal communication as a practical tool for gaining a better understanding and appreciation of our animal companions.  

I have to admit that I personally know Joan Ranquet, and even took her introductory animal communication class back in 2001. At the time I thought animal communication was a joke, good fodder for a comic novel and an investigative journalism piece. I went into her class convinced I was the only sane person in the room—and, well, I am now a professional intuitive and my partner is a crystal ball. Ranquet let me into her class with the wry smirk I think she’s trademarked: she knows very well when people are ready to look at the world as it really is, and she’s quite ready to teach them how to do that. Even smirking.

What I learned that weekend from Joan and her associate, healer Donna Timmerman, was that real science is far simpler and more practical than most of us realize. And that animal communication—telepathy with animals—is both a science and an art that can give us real information about our animals, their health and behavior, and our personal relationship with the world that can make all of our lives better.

I thought then that the practical, mystical mindset Ranquet teaches needed a broader audience, and she gets it in this book. There are many animal communicators that get lost in the ozone of feel-good woo-wooey conversations that may be fun or intriguing but aren’t useful in daily life. Ranquet steers clear of the fuzziness and focuses on giving us a well-rounded perspective on our animals’ real lives, and on how we can create better relationships with them.

She knows her stuff. The book is packed with real-life animal communication stories that focus on lessons we can all learn, from deepening our understanding of our animal companions to letting go of limiting concepts like ‘rescue’ and ‘separation anxiety.’ These are practical, inspiring stories that really teach.

That alone makes the book worthwhile, but, ever practical, Ranquet next launches into how each of us can learn to communicate with our animals. Here she delves into our mindset, what we experience with telepathy, and how to live what we learn, from our attitudes to the practicalities of health care, including nutrition, vaccinations, and energy medicine (her next big book, on energy healing for animals, is due out this year and will be a game-changer).

Are you looking for inspirational yet practical advice from an experienced animal communicator, someone who can teach you how to hear your animals and to see the physical, behavioral, and medical issues that may be affecting them? Well, here you go.

Want to delve even deeper? Then get Ranquet’s e-book: Animal Communication 101: Simple Steps to Communicate with Animals. It explores how animal communication works and drills you on ethics and etiquette—on what is appropriate and what isn’t in talking with and about animals and their people. She also explores telepathy, how to energetically scan an animal (which she’ll clearly cover in more detail in her upcoming book), and how to conduct and evaluate a session. While this e-book is aimed at people taking her animal communication courses, it’s useful for anyone who wants to understand animal communication, from how it works to how to evaluate it in your family life.

I read a lot. That includes books on science, metaphysics, philosophy, animal care, and animal communication. Many of these books are speculative and written by people I worry about, because most of them are not well balanced and don’t encourage you to be, either.

Joan Ranquet isn’t like that—not in person, not teaching, and not writing. These books are, frankly, great, offering a solid grounding in the art and practice of animal communication. They are also a reminder that she has much more to offer in her training programs contained in her Communication with All Life University.

Do these books matter? Yes. Should you read them?

Well, that depends. Do you want to talk with animals? Do you want better understand your animals and yourself? Do you want to create the best life possible with your animals? Then, yes, don’t just read these books. Live them. They matter.

Joan Ranquet matters, too. She walks her talk. And writes it. So buy these books. Read them. Put them to work. Your animals will thank you.

©2013 Robyn M Fritz