Energy and Light: How Cold Laser Therapy Supports Healing in Animals

Animals have an incredible way of showing us what their bodies need. Sometimes it’s a small sign — a bit of stiffness, a slower step, or a warm patch on the skin. As caregivers, we look for ways to ease their discomfort gently and effectively. One therapy that has been making a quiet but powerful impact in animal wellness is cold laser therapy — a safe, non-invasive light treatment that helps the body heal from within.

Cold laser therapy (also known as low-level laser therapy) uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate the cells beneath the skin. It doesn’t cut or burn like a surgical laser. Instead, it works on a deeper energetic and cellular level, encouraging repair, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation. Animals often sense the difference right away — and many relax deeply as the healing light does its work.

I’ve seen firsthand how this gentle therapy can make a difference. One of my horses developed redness and perspiration under his mane during the summer heat. I applied cold laser therapy three times, for just a few minutes each session, and the irritation completely cleared. On another occasion, I used the laser to help reduce inflammation from a broken tooth. I set the laser to a gentle pulsating mode and worked for about three minutes. Within moments, the horse’s whole body softened — his head lowered, his breathing slowed, and he nearly fell asleep right there, showing me how much relief he felt.

Pulsating vs. Constant Light

Cold lasers can deliver light in two ways: a steady, constant beam or a pulsating rhythm. Constant light is often used for general healing and tissue repair, while pulsating light can be especially effective for calming inflammation, easing pain, and stimulating energy flow. Animals sometimes respond more deeply to one setting over the other, so having both options allows us to meet their unique needs.

Colors of Light and Their Effects

Not all light therapies are the same. Each color of light carries a different wavelength and effect in the body:

• Red light: Penetrates into soft tissue and is commonly used for wound healing, reducing inflammation, and boosting circulation.

• Blue light: Works closer to the surface, helpful for skin issues and antibacterial effects.

• Green light: Often used for balancing and calming, supporting relaxation and soothing emotional stress.

• Cold laser (infrared and near-infrared light): Reaches deeper than red, green, or blue light, stimulating cell repair, reducing pain, and improving mobility at the muscular and joint level.

When we choose the right wavelength and delivery — whether constant or pulsing, red or infrared — we’re tailoring the therapy to the individual animal, their condition, and even their comfort level.

Cold Laser and Acupressure: A Healing Duo

Just as acupressure stimulates the body’s natural energy pathways, applying cold laser to acupoints enhances their effect even further. For example:

• LI4 (between the toes) – helps ease pain.

• BL23 (Kidney Shu point) – strengthens the back and supports vitality.

• ST36 (below the knee) – boosts immunity and overall wellness.

Sometimes I begin with touch to ground the animal, then follow with the cold laser on key points to deepen the healing. For animals that are tender or sensitive, the laser alone provides a way to stimulate acupoints without pressure, making it both effective and comfortable.

Cold laser therapy isn’t meant to replace veterinary care, but it can work beautifully alongside it — as well as with Reiki, massage, proper nutrition, and other holistic practices. It’s a bridge between science and energy healing, bringing together the wisdom of light, touch, and intention.

Our animals remind us that healing doesn’t always have to be dramatic or complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a few minutes of light. When we combine energy and light, science and spirit, we give them one more pathway toward balance, comfort, and renewal.