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Across the Fence: Communicating on a Deeper Level

January 1, 2021 By Susanne Bacon 6 Comments

By profession, Stefanie Skupin from Tonasket, WA, is a veterinarian. But she doesn’t practice in the United States. Instead, she has created her own field of work – that of a communicator and facilitator. With animals and with people. Something that began way back when she started out in Cape Town, South Africa.

“I have worked as a large animal and small animal veterinarian, and have treated some wildlife there as well. Birds mainly”, Stef reminisces. And tells me how much she longs to go back to what for its diversity has been also called the rainbow nation. “What it taught me was that no matter where we come from culturally, socially and globally – we are part of a global human family. We might think we differ from each other, but we are actually so similar. We share fears, cultural traumas, anxieties, and also all the good stuff. We all want to be safe, happy, respected, have enough food, be healthy, look good. The ways our minds and bodies work are so similar.”

Stefanie Skupin knows how to communicate with animals and how to enable human clients with skills against stress.

Stefanie ended up in Tonasket because she and her husband had wanted to buy a farm there with friends. Instead, she founded Sipho Animal Communication and The Leaders Work. Now, I thought that Stef was an animal whisperer. But I was so wrong! Here’s her explanation in a nutshell: “Animal whisperers work with animals by utilizing species-specific behavior patterns. Animal communicators talk with animals on what you’d probably call a telepathic level.” The fairly clear exchange of thought, emotion, and some physical sensation is also called interspecies communication, and, apparently, it can be learned. To the point where an animal is able to communicate their needs or even that of a fellow creature. “It doesn’t work as well with humans, and it doesn’t work if the animal is deeply asleep or busy with playing”, warns Stefanie, though. And she explains that 80 percent of the human communication “happens behind and around words – body language, facial expression, inclusion into or exclusion from a group, etc. To hear telepathic messages, you’ll need to be able to focus and listen deeply.”

Who is listening to whom? Stefanie Skupin and her clever doggie, Mia Blacknose.

These days, Stefanie Skupin is working mostly one-on-one “with people who are tired of feeling stressed and want to feel a sense of peace and joy instead, and feel empowered to make all the changes necessary”. Her classes, workshops, and retreats have mostly fallen victim to Covid-19. These days, online support prevails. “In medical terms”, thus Stefanie, “it’s a long-acting anti-stressor and preventative medicine for future stressful situations.”

But how does Stefanie herself escape stress, when she balances two client-dependent companies that both suffer from pandemic limitations and has just written and published her book “Awakening From Fear”? “I have a daily practice of meditation and breathing, and the animal communications help me be disciplined about it”, says Stefanie. “There are very few things that can stress me because I worked to achieve deep understanding and compassion. I feel really grounded and at home with myself.” Apart from that, she has the healthy routine of an outdoors person: walking her dog, rock climbing, paddling, swimming, hiking, and skiing. Besides she loves gardening, painting, writing, reading, hanging out with friends, and going on trips. She even started a volunteer-driven Circus Camp for kids in Tonasket, which, after 4 years, also fell victim to Covid. What would Stefanie do with an extra-hour every day? You may already have guessed her answer: more of the same.

A book that helps to get away from fears and to discover the joyful, energetic sides of life.

Of course, somebody as busy as Stefanie Skupin has plans ready for the time when Covid-19 is reined in. She would love to hire a second facilitator who helps people relax and evolve at the same time. She wants to work with more people, design and facilitate a retreat, and she would like to go see her parents in Germany. Meanwhile, she helps making these stressful days more bearable by listening deeply, communicating compassionately, and celebrating country-life in a small community close to the Canadian border.

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About Susanne Bacon

German-American journalist Susanne Bacon is also the author of the Wycliff novel series (available in local bookstores or on Amazon). The latest, published in 2020, is Suddenly Snow. Her Suburban Times column “Home from Home” is also available as a book now. Its German title is “In der Fremde daheim". She lives with her husband in Lakewood, Washington. You can contact her at Facebook. If you are interested in an express delivery of Susanne's columns, subscribe to her Bacon's Bits email, delivery free to your inbox. Click here to sign up.

Comments

  1. Melanie Thornton says

    January 1, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    I’m so excited to see Stef getting some notoriety. She’s a neighbor and friend and I have been able to have her use her skills with my animals. The article doesn’t say that she is also very knowledgable in naturopathy. I have also had the benefit of that from Stef with my animals. I feel blessed that she is my neighbor. She brings so much good into our town. If you love your critters and want a deeper level of understanding with your pets, I recommend Stef.

    Reply
    • Susanne Bacon says

      January 2, 2021 at 10:44 am

      That’s because Stef didn’t mention it 😉 But I understand that she must be wonderful with animals … as she is with people.

      Reply
  2. Steve Kitley says

    January 3, 2021 at 11:40 am

    Stef worked for/with me in Cape Town South Africa and from the start she was heading in the natural treatment of animals. It is wonderful to see how she has explored the natural communication with animals and also stress management for humans. Good on you! Dr Steve Kitley Veterinarian

    Reply
    • Susanne Bacon says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      Thank you for sharing this, Dr. Steve! I was hooked on what Stef was telling us members of a Zoom House Party recently and simply HAD to know more!
      Happy New Year to you!

      Reply
  3. Marion Winisky RN, MA says

    January 5, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    I met Stef when I first moved to Tonasket 3 years ago. I attended the groups she was facilitating, doing The Work by BKatie. We also did a lot of private sessions over the years. She has a way of understanding people and herself on a very deep level. My life has changed because of her presence and our precious friendship. My words just don’t do justice to this extraordinary woman. Thank you for this article Susanne.

    Marion Winisky RN, MA

    Reply
    • Susanne Bacon says

      January 5, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      Thank YOU so much, Marion! That sounds like a deep impact, and I believe that Stef has got this special skill to get to the core …
      Happy New Year!

      Reply

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